diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-22 04:40:22 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-22 04:40:22 -0800 |
| commit | 9e09539130e41759a4e83e8e3f9ebb79900a95c9 (patch) | |
| tree | 06c6140d7d806d7add3c31ebecaafa10f047e53f | |
| parent | 2136efe45131024b7a1253d5ba117df3f99d8063 (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67447-0.txt | 14653 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67447-0.zip | bin | 290868 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67447-h.zip | bin | 1269887 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67447-h/67447-h.htm | 15014 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67447-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 100075 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67447-h/images/front.jpg | bin | 99779 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67447-h/images/i000.jpg | bin | 82906 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67447-h/images/i010.jpg | bin | 100591 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67447-h/images/i108.jpg | bin | 56171 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67447-h/images/i166.jpg | bin | 99916 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67447-h/images/i324.jpg | bin | 100280 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67447-h/images/i338.jpg | bin | 99746 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67447-h/images/i378.jpg | bin | 94696 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67447-h/images/i384.jpg | bin | 97403 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67447-h/images/illo.jpg | bin | 34847 -> 0 bytes |
18 files changed, 17 insertions, 29667 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fd24ed5 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #67447 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67447) diff --git a/old/67447-0.txt b/old/67447-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f622894..0000000 --- a/old/67447-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,14653 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of An Authentic History of the -Cato-Street Conspiracy, by George Theodore Wilkinson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: An Authentic History of the Cato-Street Conspiracy - -Author: George Theodore Wilkinson - -Release Date: February 20, 2022 [eBook #67447] - -Language: English - -Produced by: deaurider, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The - Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN AUTHENTIC HISTORY OF THE -CATO-STREET CONSPIRACY *** - - -+-------------------------------------------------+ -|Transcriber’s note: | -| | -|Obvious typographic errors have been corrected. | -| | -+-------------------------------------------------+ - - -[Illustration: ARTHUR THISTLEWOOD] - - -AN AUTHENTIC HISTORY - -OF THE - -CATO-STREET CONSPIRACY; - -WITH THE - -TRIALS - -AT LARGE -_OF THE CONSPIRATORS_, - -FOR - -High Treason and Murder; - -A DESCRIPTION OF THEIR - -WEAPONS AND COMBUSTIBLE MACHINES, - -AND - -EVERY PARTICULAR CONNECTED WITH THE RISE, PROGRESS, -DISCOVERY, AND TERMINATION OF THE HORRID PLOT. - - -_With Portraits of all the Conspirators, taken during their Trials, by -Permission, and other Engravings._ - -[Illustration] - -BY GEORGE THEODORE WILKINSON, ESQ. -EDITOR OF THE NEW NEWGATE CALENDAR IMPROVED. - - -LONDON: - -PRINTED FOR THOMAS KELLY, 17, PATERNOSTER-ROW, -_And sold by all Booksellers in the United Kingdom_. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -To those, who are accustomed to look with an observant eye upon the -causes which lead to the fall and destruction of nations, the present -epoch offers materials for their most weighty consideration. They have -seen their country involved in one of the most destructive and arduous -contests ever recorded in its annals; they have seen the combined -force of the civilized world directed against its very existence; they -have witnessed its unexampled and glorious struggle; the loyalty and -patriotism of the people, and finally they have beheld it, rising at -the close of the contest, not subdued nor conquered, but towering with -renovated fame and lustre, and scattering to their loathsome dens the -dark demons of anarchy and ruin; they beheld the industrious artisan -returning to the shuttle--the laborious peasant to the plough--the -war-worn soldier was seated at his native hearth telling the story -of his battles, and the weather-beaten sailor, in the fulness of -his pride, was glorying in the wounds obtained in the defence of -his country. Peace gave to the nation its blessings, and round the -consecrated altars of our fathers knelt the children of this favoured -land in grateful prayer to that God, who had gone forth with them -in the day of battle; and who, in the wreck of surrounding kingdoms, -had vouchsafed to spread over this his protecting hand. But, in the -midst of these cheering prospects, the pestilential air of Atheism and -Infidelity was raging abroad like the blasting heat of the Simoon in -the desert, and throwing its sickening hue over the beautiful forms -of Religion and Virtue. Men, if such an exalted name can be given -them, who have openly thrown off all submission--all reverence--all -duty and love to their God; who, in the most blasphemous manner, -had reviled and denied their divine Redeemer, considered themselves -enfranchised from every moral and religious duty, from allegiance to -their earthly Sovereign and obedience to the laws of the country. In -the latter they beheld an irksome, and disagreeable restraint upon the -exercise of their degenerate passions, they tore themselves away from -the great human Society, despised its relations and its duties, and in -their midnight assemblies traitorously plotted the massacre of some -of the most exalted individuals of the country. In themselves they -united the dreadful characters of traitor, incendiary, and murderer. -Apostates from their religion, a spirit of horrible infidelity hardened -their hearts against all the tender feelings of humanity and virtue, -blinded their understandings to the dictates of truth, and rendered -them capable of the vilest crimes. But the eye of Providence watched -over their victims in the dark recesses where their hellish plots were -engendered; the Omnipresent Being marked their actions, and, at the -very moment of their expected accomplishment, dragged them forth to the -execration and vengeance of their injured country. - -We live in times teeming with events of such uncommon magnitude, -that they seem to laugh to scorn all that we used to call important -in our former history. Let us not deceive ourselves. It is no petty -danger that threatens us; we are not anxious about some dubious point -of honour, nor are we contending for any secondary interest; but for -the very body and substance of our Island: not for the foliage, nor -even the branches, but for the trunk of the British Oak; that Oak so -different in all respects from the Tree of Liberty, intended to be -reared in the Country by certain pretended Patriots; that Oak beneath -which a grateful and a happy people had so long sheltered; and under -which the distressed of other countries have often found a refuge, when -driven to seek protection from the stormy blasts in their own less -happy land. - -But to what are the temporal evils which now afflict the country to be -traced? Undoubtedly to apostacy in religion, and to the alarming growth -of infidelity and deism. Conspirators never found an asylum in the -habitations of Christians. The roll of turbulent revolters that History -has recorded and transmitted to us, as the assertors of the _Rights of -Men_, exhibits not one disciple of the meek and lowly Jesus. The true -believer in the doctrines of Christ feels himself, in the view of the -picture exhibited of the real Christian, grounded still stronger upon -the sure foundation of his faith upon the solid rock of this heavenly -dispensation. His soul catches new fire from the host of examples which -Christian History records: he shudders at the attempts which are made -proud and factious men to withdraw subjects from their allegiance, to -plunge them into the horrors of anarchy and civil war; he trembles with -astonishment and indignation, when men rejoice over the mangled remains -of Princes and of statesmen, and over the bloody corpses of Sovereigns -butchered by the hands of their own rebellious subjects. It is to the -progress of irreligion and the decay of morals, that the increase of -crime which now stigmatises the country, is to be attributed. It is to -the fatal neglect of their religious duties, and to the renunciation -of the blessings which Christianity offers them, that the miserable -men, whose dreadful acts are recorded in the following pages, have been -doomed to expiate their crimes on the scaffold. Religion does not leave -the interests of mankind within the contracted circle of his social -duties: its influence is extended in its protection to the utmost -possible degree. The Christian is not only obliged by his profession to -be a good man, but also to be a good citizen. He must be obedient to -the governing powers under which he is born and placed. No subtilty of -reasoning, nor any perversion of language or texts of Scripture will -countenance him in acts of rebellion against his lawful Sovereign. -Whenever, indeed, the standard of rebellion is unfortunately lifted up -against our Prince, it is the duty of the Christian to be active in his -allegiance, and to defend the Government to which he belongs, with all -possible energy. - -It has, however, pleased an Almighty Providence to protect the Rulers -of this Country from the diabolical machinations of a set of lawless -wretches who sought to erect their own interest on murder, rapine, -and treason. Their names are transmitted to posterity, branded with -the most horrible crimes that disfigure human nature; their lives are -forfeited to the injured Laws of their Country: and, although they may -have attempted to console themselves with the vain belief that the -punishment for their deeds ends in this world, the dread reality has -now flashed upon them that there is also another world in which the -hardened and unrepentant sinner will meet his everlasting doom. - -To the Atheist and the Infidel let the blood of these men speak with -the most solemn admonition. The time is fast approaching when the veil -of earthly things will be removed from their sight; when the cobweb -texture of their fancied theories will be torn asunder; and truth, with -its radiant light, burst upon them. Then let them pause, ere it be too -late: a dreadful example has been set before them of the effect of -irreligion and immorality. If the Atheist bear the holy name of father, -let him ponder well ere he resign his soul to everlasting perdition: -let him, as his babes cling around him, picture to himself the horrors -of that grave on which no morning breaks; and the excruciating horrors -of that death-bed which is not blessed with the hope of a future state. -Let him, in his dispassionate moments, visit the grave of the murderer -Thistlewood; let him there reflect upon the end of a life of infidelity -and irreligion; and then may that Almighty Being, who looks with a -benignant eye upon the weaknesses of his creatures, guard him from the -error of his ways, and teach him that real and substantial happiness on -earth is only to be found in RELIGION, VIRTUE, and MORALITY. - - - - -ADDRESS. - - -Among all the wild, wicked, and visionary schemes of which we have seen -the rise and fall, in this age of infidelity and disaffection, none -can be compared with that of which we are about to give the frightful -history, for extravagance in its origin, ferocity in its details, or -fiend-like triumph in its anticipated consummation. It is an event -which must for ever blot with disgrace the fair page of British -history, and it exhibits an awful and humiliating view of the state -of degradation to which the human mind may be brought, when once it -has cast off the fear of God, as inculcated in the divine precepts of -Christianity. - -The present work professes to be an authentic and digested history -of the rise, progress, discovery, and termination of the atrocious -Cato-street Conspiracy; interspersed with so much of the personal -history of the individuals concerned, as may be necessary to illustrate -the principle which it is the main object of this work to inculcate, -namely, that to the abandonment of the duties of our holy religion -alone, is it to be attributed that we have men among us wicked enough -to conceive, and others so weak as to assist in, such preposterous and -atrocious schemes. - -The first part contains the history of the plot; its detection; the -murder of Smithers, the peace-officer, in the execution of his duty; -particulars of the subsequent arrests; all the proceedings before the -Police Magistrates, and the Privy Council; and a full and accurate -description of the horrid weapons of destruction, and infernal -combustible machines, intended to be used by this detestable gang of -assassins. - -The second part contains, at great length, the TRIALS of all the -executed conspirators, and the disposal of the other persons arrested, -with a variety of additional particulars relative to the plot. The -accounts of the execution, and decapitation, which are given with great -correctness and fidelity, will be found interesting and affecting, and -the APPENDIX contains sketches of the lives and conduct of the executed -criminals, together with a copious history of the proceedings relative -to that base and infamous individual GEORGE EDWARDS, the Spy and -instigator to Treason. - -The work is confidently submitted to the public, in the earnest -hope that it may be found so serious a comment on the intentions -and ultimate views of sanguinary and designing men,--who traverse -the country, intruding themselves into all classes of society, with -specious plans of reform in their mouths, but, in reality, with -revolution, massacre, and plunder in their hearts,--that every honest -man, and every Christian, may be induced to shun their councils as he -would a pestilence, and to adopt for his motto and rule of conduct the -truly-British sentiment of our forefathers, - - “FEAR GOD AND HONOUR THE KING.” - - - - -TO THE BINDER. - - Place this quarter sheet, (a) containing ADDRESS, _&c._ - immediately between the Title and the Preface, and insert the - PLATES in the following order, viz.: - - -Portrait of Thistlewood to face Title-page. - -View of the Premises in Cato-Street 10 - -Portrait of Adams} ----- Hyden } 109 ----- Monument 167 ----- Tidd 325 ----- Davidson 339 ----- Ings } ----- Brunt } 378 - -The Execution 385 - - - - -HISTORY - -OF THE - -Cato-Street Conspiracy, - -_&c. &c._ - - -On the morning of Thursday the 24th of February 1820, the metropolis -was thrown into the greatest consternation and alarm, by the -intelligence, that, in the course of the preceding evening, a most -atrocious plot to overturn the government of the country, had been -discovered, but which, by the prompt measures directed by the privy -council, who remained sitting the greatest part of night, had been -happily destroyed by the arrest and dispersion of the conspirators. -Before day-light the following proclamation was placarded in all the -leading places in and about London:-- - - - LONDON GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY, - - _Thursday, February 24, 1820_. - - Whereas _Arthur Thistlewood_ stands charged with high treason, - and also with the wilful murder of Richard Smithers, a reward of - _One Thousand Pounds_ is hereby offered to any person or persons - who shall discover and apprehend, or cause to be discovered or - apprehended, the said Arthur Thistlewood, to be paid by the - lords commissioners of his majesty’s treasury; upon his being - apprehended and lodged in any of his Majesty’s gaols. And all - persons are hereby cautioned upon their allegiance not to receive - or harbour the said Arthur Thistlewood, as any person offending - herein will be thereby guilty of high treason. - - SIDMOUTH. - - The above-named Arthur Thistlewood is about forty-eight years of - age, five feet ten inches high, has a sallow complexion, long - visage, dark hair, (a little grey), dark hazel eyes and arched - eye-brows, a wide mouth and a good set of teeth, has a scar - under his right jaw, is slender made, and has the appearance of - a military man; was born in Lincolnshire, and apprenticed to an - apothecary at Newark; usually wears a blue long coat and blue - pantaloons, and has been a lieutenant in the militia. - - -The particular part of the plan of the traitorous conspirators, which -had been frustrated by their arrest the previous evening, was the -following; and its atrocity fully justified the alarming impression -which the first rumours had created. - -It had been ascertained by the gang, that the greater part of his -majesty’s ministers were to dine together at the Earl of Harrowby’s, -and this was considered as a favourable opportunity for effecting -their entire extermination: Thistlewood was to have knocked at Lord -Harrowby’s door, with a letter, purporting to be a despatch, or with -a red box, such as is used in all the public offices, desiring it to -be delivered immediately to the cabinet ministers at dinner, without -delay. The servant, it was supposed, would immediately proceed with -the despatch, while Thistlewood, with another of the conspirators, -entered the hall as if to wait. They were immediately to open the -street-door, others were to come in with hand-grenades, which were to -be thrown into the house; and, in the confusion produced by them, all -the rest of the conspirators were to rush into the dining-room, where -the ministers were at dinner, and the work of assassination was to have -been instantly begun. - -The sensations thus excited in the public mind, were by no means -allayed, when, in the course of the day, the details of the horrible -transaction began to develope themselves; every one felt a breathless -anxiety to probe to the bottom the secret workings of so detestable a -conspiracy, confidence between man and man became weakened, and that -social intercourse which constitutes the peculiar charm of society in -this happy country, seemed to be placed at the mercy of the midnight -assassin; the only hope left to the upright and the loyal portion of -the community was, that the discovery would finally terminate in the -beneficial result of purging society of some of the foulest members -that apparently ever moved in it. - -For some time previous to the day on which the arrests took place, it -had been known to his Majesty’s government, that an attempt at the -assassination of his Majesty’s ministers was meditating, and that -Arthur Thistlewood was at the bottom of it. On Tuesday, the 22d of -February, certain advice was received, that the attempt was to be made -on Wednesday night, at the Earl of Harrowby’s, in Grosvenor-square. It -is supposed that the Earl of Harrowby’s was fixed upon, because, being -nearer the outlet from London than the residence of any other of the -cabinet ministers (Lord Westmoreland’s excepted, who lives in the same -square,) escape out of town, after the attempt had been made, would -have been more easy. Be this as it may, the conspirators, as soon as -they had ascertained that the cabinet dinner was to be held there, lost -no time in arranging their dreadful and diabolical project. - -The place chosen to arrange finally their proceedings, to collect their -force, and to arm themselves, was near the Edgeware-road. John-street -is a short distance on the road, and intersected by another street, -called Cato-street. - -Cato-street is rather an obscure street, and inhabited by persons in -an humble class of life; it runs from John-street into Queen-street, -and is parallel with Newnham-street. It is open at one end for the -admission of carriages, but is closed by posts at the other. The -premises occupied by the conspirators consisted of a three-stall -stable, with a loft above, in a very dilapidated condition. They -are the property of General Watson, and have been recently in the -possession of an old servant of his, who had turned cow-keeper. From -this man they had been engaged by some of the diabolical crew whose -machinations have been so happily discovered. The people in Cato-street -were utterly ignorant that the stable was let until Wednesday, when -several persons were seen to go in and out, and carefully to lock the -door after them. Some of these individuals carried sacks, and parcels -of various descriptions. - -For two or three hours previous to the entrance of the stable, the -police-officers were on the spot, making their observations, but still -no suspicion was excited of the real object of their attack; and so -well was the plan of surprise laid, that, until the discharge of -fire-arms was heard, every thing remained perfectly quiet. - -Thus accurately informed of the intentions of the conspirators, -warrants were issued to apprehend them while they were assembled. These -warrants were put into the hands of the police-officers, under the able -direction of Richard Birnie, Esq., the chief magistrate of Bow-street. -A detachment of the Coldstream Guards from Portman-street barracks, -were also ordered to accompany the police-officers. They proceeded to -the place of meeting in Cato-street, the police-officers proceeding -first. The conspirators had taken the precaution to place a sentinel -below. - -The military consisted of the picket-guard of the 2d Coldstream -Regiment, which was stationed in Portman-street barracks. It consisted -of thirty men, including a sergeant and corporal, and commanded by -Captain Frederick Fitzclarence, who happened to be on duty at the -time. They were called out about a quarter to eight o’clock; each -man provided with twenty rounds of ball cartridge. The detachment -immediately proceeded in the direction of the Edgware-road. The men -were not acquainted with the business on which they were called out. -They supposed a fire had taken place, and that they had been sent for -to protect the property. On their arrival within about sixty yards -of the house in Cato-street, John-street, the place of the meeting, -they were halted for a few minutes, during which they were ordered by -Captain Fitzclarence to fix bayonets and shoulder arms. They were also -enjoined to observe the strictest silence. The detachment then marched -on, but had not proceeded more than a few yards when they heard the -noise of fire-arms. They were then ordered to advance in double quick -time, and instantly came in junction with the civil officers, who had -arrived previously on the ground, and were engaged with the party in -the house. - -The only approach to this pandemonium was by a narrow ladder. Ruthven, -one of the principal Bow-street officers, led the way, and he was -followed by Ellis, Smithers, Surman, and others of the patrol. On the -door being opened, about twenty-seven or thirty men were seen within, -all armed in some way or other; and some of them engaged either in -charging fire-arms, or in girding themselves in belts similar to -those worn by the military, while others were in close and earnest -deliberation. There were tables about the room, on which lay a number -of cutlasses, bayonets, pistols, sword-belts, pistol-balls in great -quantities, ball-cartridges, _&c._ - -As the officers entered the room, the conspirators all started up, when -Ruthven, who had been furnished with a warrant from the magistrates, -exclaimed--“We are peace-officers! Lay down your arms!” In a moment -all was confusion. The notorious Arthur Thistlewood, opposed himself -to the officers, armed with a cut-and-thrust sword of unusual length. -Ruthven attempted to secure the door, and Ellis, who had followed him -into the room, advanced towards the man, and, presenting his pistol, -exclaimed--“Drop your sword, or I’ll fire instantly!” Thistlewood -brandished his sword with increased violence, when Smithers, the other -patrol, rushed forward to seize him; and on the instant the ruffian -stabbed him to the heart. Poor Smithers fell into the arms of his -brother-officer, Ellis, exclaiming--“Oh, God! I am----” and in the next -instant was a corpse. - -Whilst this deed was doing, the lights were extinguished, and a -desperate struggle ensued, in which many of the officers were severely -wounded. Surman, one of the patrol, received a musket-ball on the -temple, but fortunately it only glanced along the side of his head, -tearing up the scalp in its way. The conspirators kept up an incessant -fire; whilst it was evident to the officers that many of them were -escaping by some back way. Mr. Birnie exposed himself every where, -and encouraged the officers to do their duty, whilst the balls were -whizzing round his head. At this moment Captain Fitzclarence (a young -officer well known for his gallantry and gentlemanly conduct) arrived -at the head of the detachment of the Coldstream Guards. They surrounded -the building, and Captain Fitzclarence, with Sergeant Legge and three -files of grenadiers entered the stable, where the first object that -presented itself to their sight, was one of the party running out of -the stable, apparently with intention to make his escape. He was seized -by one of the soldiers, when the ruffian instantly approached the -gallant captain, and presented a pistol at his breast; but, as he was -in the act of pulling the trigger, Sergeant Legge rushed forward, and, -whilst attempting to put aside the destructive weapon, received the -fire upon his arm. Fortunately for this brave man, the ball glanced -along his arm, tearing the sleeve of his jacket, from the wrist to the -elbow, and only slightly wounding him. - -[Illustration: _Exterior View._] - -[Illustration: _Interior View._] - -A black man was the next that was started from his place of -concealment; he was armed with a cutlass. He also aimed a blow at -Captain Fitzclarence, but was seized and secured by one of the -soldiers, James Basey, without any injury to the latter but a slight -cut on the finger. Then addressing himself to his friends in the house, -he exclaimed, “Fight on while you have a drop of blood in you--you may -as well die now as at another time.” - -The detachment was then ordered to rush forward which they did, headed -by their captain, who darted into a stall, and seized by the collar a -fellow who was standing in it, and who grappled with him with one hand, -while he attempted to fire a pistol at him with the other, which did -not go off, the powder flashing in the pan. The miscreant still holding -firmly by the coat, the captain called out to his men to disengage -him. Two of them, James Revel and James Basey, immediately seized him, -and he surrendered himself, saying, “Do not kill me, and I’ll tell -you all.” This scene took place in the stable on the ground-floor. -It was a three-stalled stable, with a hay-loft over it, with which -it communicated by a ladder placed at one end. The detachment led by -Captain Fitzclarence then mounted the ladder and into the loft, now -filled with smoke, and only illuminated by the occasional flashes of -the fire-arms of the conspirators. - -In the confusion naturally occasioned by the contest, Thistlewood -contrived to make his escape, almost unobserved, and the constables -had by this time retired for the purpose of surrounding the house, and -intercepting the flight of any others of the gang. On entering the -loft, the military came in contact with the dead body of the murdered -Smithers, (the constable), and a ruffian lying at his side all covered -with the blood of the dead man. The fellow rose, and did not appear to -have sustained any hurt or injury. Addressing himself to the soldiers, -he said, “I hope they will make a difference between the innocent and -the guilty.” Three others were next taken together; they were huddled -in a corner among some shavings. One of them jumping out said, “I -resign myself; there is no harm; I was brought in here innocent this -afternoon.” - -These four were all of them found by the soldiers in the room, making, -with the man taken below in the stall, and the two outside, seven -prisoners. The constables had previously taken two, one of whom made -his escape down the street, but was pursued and re-taken. The moment he -was caught he fired a pistol, which he had concealed on his person: it -went off, but did no injury. - -Muddock, one of the soldiers, when he entered the loft, in the midst -of darkness, ran against something which he at the moment conceived -to be a part of the building. He was, however, soon undeceived, by a -wretch snapping a pistol at him, which happily missed fire. Failing in -this detestable purpose, the miscreant threw himself on the ground, -exclaiming, “_Use me honourably_,” and the gallant soldier contented -himself with making him prisoner. When this was mentioned to Captain -Fitzclarence, he asked Muddock why he had not stuck his opponent; the -reply of the brave fellow was, “Why, your honour, I had him by the -heels, and I took his pistol from him, and I wanted no more.” The -pistol was loaded nearly to the muzzle. - -It is impossible to give a minute detail of the desperate conflict -which took place, or the numerous instances of personal daring -manifested by the peace-officers and the military, thus brought into -sudden contact with a band of assassins in their obscure den, and in -utter darkness. Unfortunately, this darkness favoured the escape of -many of the wretches, and the dreadful skirmish ended in the capture of -only nine of them. The military, on searching the loft, found a great -quantity of pistols, blunderbusses, swords, and pikes, about sixteen -inches long, made to screw into a handle. They also found a great many -common files, sharpened to a point at the ends, and made to be used as -pikes: they also found a large quantity of ammunition, consisting of -ball-cartridges, powder-flasks, slugs wrapt up in paper, and a sack -full of hand-grenades. The military, accompanied by the constables, -then withdrew, and proceeded to Bow-street-office with their prisoners. - -The soldiers were laden with the arms and ammunition which they found -in the stable; and having delivered their prisoners and booty, four of -them were examined briefly by the Magistrates, _viz._, James Revel, -James Basey, William Curtis, and John Muddock. They identified the -prisoners who were then standing at the bar, as the persons whom they -had taken in the stable. The fire-arms and ammunition were then shown -to them, which they also identified. Captain Fitzclarence, with his -detachment, then marched back to Portman-barracks, to which also they -conveyed the arms and ammunition taken, and deposited them in the -Captain’s room. - -Shortly after the arrival of the cavalcade at the police-office, in -Bow-street, Mr. Birnie, the Magistrate, arrived, and having taken -his seat at the bench, the prisoners were placed at the bar in the -following order:-- - -James Ings, a butcher, -James Wilson, a tailor, -Richard Bradburn, a carpenter, -James Gilchrist, a shoemaker, -Charles Cooper, a bootmaker, -Richard Tidd, a bootmaker, -John Monument, a shoemaker, -John Shaw, a carpenter, and -William Davidson, a cabinet-maker. - -Davidson is a man of colour, and a worthy coadjutor of Messrs. Watson, -Thistlewood, and Co., upon many occasions. At the meeting in Finsbury -market-place, a few months ago, this fellow was one of the principal -speakers, and advised the persons assembled to go armed to all public -meetings; and was also the bearer of the black flag, with a death’s -head, in the mob which attempted to excite a tumult in Covent-garden, -during the election. When Ellis, the officer, was putting the handcuffs -on him, he amused himself by vociferating passages from the popular air -of “Scots wha ha’e wi’ Wallace bled,” and frequently exclaiming, “B--st -and d--n the eyes of all those who would not die for liberty.” - -Ings is a fierce ruffian, a short stout man, apparently between 30 -and 40, but of most determined aspect. His hands were covered with -blood; and as he stood at the bar, manacled to one of his wretched -confederates, his large fiery eyes glared round upon the spectators -with an expression truly horrible. The rest had nothing extraordinary -in their appearance. They were for the most part men of short stature, -mean exterior, and unmarked physiognomy. - -The office was crowded with soldiers and officers, bringing in -arms and ammunition of various kinds, which had been taken on the -premises; muskets, carabines, broad-swords, pistols, blunderbusses, -belts, and cartouch-boxes, ball cartridges, gunpowder, (found loose -in the pockets of the prisoners), haversacks, and a large bundle of -singularly-constructed stilettoes. These latter were about 18 inches -long, and triangular in form: two of the sides being concave, and the -other flat; the lower extremity having been flattened, and then wrung -round spirally, so as to make a firm grip, and ending in a screw, as if -to fit into the top of a staff. Several staves indeed were produced, -fitted at one end with a screwed socket; and no doubt they were -intended to receive this formidable weapon. - -The depositions of a number of officers, most of them wounded, -and several of the soldiers, having been taken, their evidence -substantiating the foregoing narrative, the prisoners were asked -whether they wished to say any thing? Cooper, and Davidson the -black, were the only ones who replied, and they merely appealed to -the officers and soldiers to say, whether they had not instantly -surrendered themselves. Ellis, the patrol, who received the murdered -body of his comrade Smithers in his arms, replied, that Davidson -had made the most resistance. At the moment when the lights were -extinguished, he had rushed out of the place, armed with a carbine, and -wearing white cross-belts. Ellis pursued him a considerable distance -along John-street; and, having caught him, they fell together, and in -the deadly struggle which ensued, Davidson discharged his carbine, but -without effect, and Ellis succeeded in securing him. - -Captain Fitzclarence had seized and secured one or two of the prisoners -with his own hands, and he was not only much bruised, but his uniform -was almost torn to pieces. - - -We will here shortly digress, for the purpose of stating the immediate -circumstances which led to the frustration of the sanguinary plot, and -the arrest of its fiend-like authors. - -It had been for some time well known to government, that Thistlewood, -forgetful of his narrow escape on the former occasion of an indictment -for High Treason[1], and, as it were, unconscious of the blessings -of that constitution, which in the equal and upright administration -of justice to all, gives to the accused party the advantage of the -conscientious doubts of the jury, and which beneficent feature in the -trial by a British Jury had alone saved him from condign punishment, -had never ceased to pursue his disloyal and traitorous designs, but -had still continued in darkness and obscurity, to hatch new plots, -as preposterous as diabolical, and to entrap new agents, as weak as -they were wicked, and as certain of being ultimately involved in the -same sacrifice to public justice, as he himself seemed devoted to by a -besotted perseverance in his horrid principles. - -Conscious, however, as were the ministers that some dreadful scheme was -perfecting, and that a tremendous blow was about to be struck, they -were ignorant of the time or nature of the intended movement, until the -very day destined for its consummation, when a communication was made -to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, by Lord Harrowby, -who stated that he had that morning been stopped by a man, when riding -in St James’s-park, who delivered to him a letter, the contents of -which were, that a gang of assassins were to assassinate his Lordship -and the rest of the cabinet ministers, when assembled at his house on -the evening of that day at a cabinet dinner. His Lordship, although -he did not know the man, listened to his representation, in addition -to the contents of the letter, and afterwards consulted his brother -ministers upon the subject; and they immediately determined to postpone -the cabinet dinner. - -The discovery, indeed, of the infamous wretches and their intended -diabolical act is next to a miracle, and is only to be attributed -to the determination and perseverance of the man who made the -communication to the earl of Harrowby: he called at his lordship’s -house, in Grosvenor-square, on Wednesday morning, (the 23d), between -eleven and twelve o’clock, and inquired of the porter if the noble -earl was at home? The porter replied in the negative. The man appeared -very anxious to see his lordship, but the porter did not give him any -hopes, as he refused to tell his business; the man, however, urged -the necessity of seeing his lordship, without loss of time; and at -length he observed, that if he did not see him, the porter would -not be sitting in his chair in the hall to-morrow. This observation -astonished the porter, and induced him to believe that the man really -had something of a serious and alarming nature to communicate to the -noble earl: he then told him that his lordship was riding on horseback -in the park, directed him to that part in which he was most likely to -find him, and described his groom and the livery he wore, _&c._ The -man hastened to the Park, and discovered the groom, as described by -the porter, hailed him, and asked him if the gentleman before was the -earl of Harrowby? The groom replied in the affirmative. The man then -told him, that he wanted and must speak with his lordship. The groom -informed his noble master, who immediately stopped his horse. The -man then presented a letter to him, which the earl opened and read. -The man having informed him that he had a deal more to communicate, -his lordship dismounted, and walked and talked with the man for some -time; and the result of their interview was the communication to the -secretary of state, of which we have just spoken. - -Precautions were immediately taken at the secretary of state’s office, -for the discovery and apprehension of the villains. The first -intimation that was given of the affair at the office in Bow-street -was at past seven o’clock, when it was made known that a number of -officers, constables, and patrol, would be wanted. Ellis, who is a -conductor of a party of patrol, was ordered to leave his division, and -repair to the office with the men under his direction. The expedition -upon which they were to be sent was kept a secret till they started, -which was between half-past eight o’clock and nine. The place of -rendezvous of the assassins was in Cato-street, John-street, in the -Edgware-road, where the neighbours had become alarmed by a number of -strange men assembling in a stable, and a loft over it, after dark; -sacks being hung up on the inside of the windows to prevent detection. - -In the course of the day inquiries had been made, and the result was, -that some desperate act was expected to take place. The ministers’ -servants were armed with pistols, and two officers or constables -appointed to each residence. The Earl of Harrowby and Viscount -Castlereagh dined with the Earl of Liverpool; and at nine o’clock -they went to the secretary of state’s office for the home department, -at which time all the cabinet ministers assembled. Mr. Birnie, the -magistrate, was directed by Viscount Sidmouth to be in Cato-street, -and in readiness to act in case of emergency. A party of the guards, -under the command of Captain Fitzclarence, was ordered to march to -Cato-street, to assist the police, if necessary. Unfortunately, -however, they were not clearly directed, or they did not understand -where the place was, as they were at the contrary end of the street -when the assassins commenced their murderous attack upon the officers, -and it was only by the discharge of pistols that they found out where -the building was. When the police-officers arrived, they found two -sentinels at the door, armed with guns and swords. These opposed -their admittance without the pass-word. The officers, however, soon -overpowered and secured them. They then gave an alarm, and the officers -heard by the noise in the loft that several persons were up stairs. -They ascended to the loft by a ladder which the conspirators themselves -had used; when the contest, which we have already described, ending in -the arrest of most of the conspirators, took place. - - -The same sources of information which led to the detection of -the conspiracy enabled the magistrates to trace the hiding-place -of Thistlewood. Instead of returning to his own lodgings in -Stanhope-street, Clare-market, it was discovered that he had proceeded -to an obscure house, No. 8, White-street, Little Moorfields. Thither, -at nine o’clock on Thursday morning, the 24th of February, Lavender, -Bishop, Ruthven, Salmon, and six of the patrol, were despatched. On -arriving at the house, three of the latter were placed at the front, -and three at the back door, to prevent escape. Bishop observed a room -on the ground-floor, the door of which he tried to open, but found it -locked. He called to a woman in the opposite apartment, whose name -is Harris, to fetch him the key. She hesitated, but at last brought -it. He then opened the door softly. The light was partially excluded, -from the shutters being shut; but he perceived a bed in the corner, -and advanced. At that instant a head was gently raised from under the -blankets, and the countenance of Thistlewood was presented to his -view. Bishop drew a pistol, and presenting it at him, exclaimed, “Mr. -Thistlewood, I am a Bow-street officer; you are my prisoner:” and then, -“to make assurance doubly sure,” he threw himself upon him. Thistlewood -said, he would make no resistance. Lavender, Ruthven, and Salmon, -were then called, and the prisoner was permitted to rise. He had his -breeches and stockings on, and seemed much agitated. On being dressed, -he was handcuffed; in his pockets were found some ball-cartridges -and flints, the black girdle, or belt, which he was seen to wear in -Cato-street, and a sort of military silk sash. - -A hackney-coach was then sent for, and he was conveyed to Bow-street. -In his way thither he was asked by Bishop, what he meant to do with the -ball-cartridges; he declined answering any questions. He was followed -by a crowd of persons, who repeatedly cried out, “Hang the villain! -hang the assassin!” and used other exclamations of a similar nature. - -When he arrived at Bow-street, he was first taken into the public -office, but subsequently into a private room, where he was heard, -unguardedly, to say, that “he knew he had killed one man, and he only -hoped it was Stafford;” meaning Mr. Stafford, the chief clerk of the -office, to whose unremitting exertions in the detection of public -delinquents too much praise cannot be given. - -Mr. Birnie, having taken a short examination of the prisoner, sent -him to Whitehall to be examined by the Privy-Council. Here the crowd -was as great as that which had been collected in Bow-street. Persons -of the highest rank came pouring into the Home Office, to learn the -particulars of what had transpired. - -The arrest of Thistlewood was heard with infinite satisfaction; he was -placed in a room on the ground-floor, and a vast number of persons -were admitted in their turn to see him. His appearance was most -forbidding. His countenance, at all times unfavourable, seemed now to -have acquired an additional degree of malignity. His dark eye turned -upon the spectators as they came in, as if he expected to see some of -his companions in guilt, who he had heard were to be brought thither. -He drank some porter that was handed to him, and occasionally asked -questions, principally as to the names of the persons who came to look -at him. Then he asked “to what gaol he should be sent?--he hoped not to -Horsham.” (This was the place in which he was confined, in consequence -of his conviction for sending a challenge to Lord Sidmouth.) - -At two o’clock he was conducted before the Privy-Council. He was -still handcuffed, but mounted the stairs with alacrity. On entering -the council-chamber he was placed at the foot of the table. He was -then addressed by the Lord Chancellor, who informed him that he stood -charged with the twofold crime of treason and murder; and asked him -whether he had anything to say for himself? He answered, that “he -should decline saying any thing on that occasion.” - -No persons were suffered to have access except those on business to the -public offices at Whitehall, nor was any individual allowed to hold -communication with the prisoner. About a dozen soldiers were in the -hall and adjoining lodge; they formed a part of the military escort -that accompanied the police-officers to the spot where Thistlewood -and his companions were first discovered. The soldiers had with them -the different articles and weapons found upon the party when taken, -among which were two small pistols, one of them loaded, and a bundle -of files, similar to those used in small brasswork. The points of such -files are always sharp, and the part of the file which goes into the -handle is necessarily pointed, to penetrate the hole made in the wood -for its reception; some of the files appeared, however, to have had the -handle-points brightened, and the ends made more fine, as if by being -whetted upon a stone. There were also in the hall two or three bags, -containing three bayonets and some ammunition, made up in both small -and large cartridges. The soldiers who had seized those articles were -examined before the Privy-Council. After his examination, Thistlewood -was taken back to the room in which he had been previously placed; his -commitment to Coldbath-fields was made out, and he was conveyed to that -prison under the care of six officers. There was a partial shouting and -groaning, as the carriage in which he was placed drove off. - -The appearance of Thistlewood at this time was wretched in the extreme. -When in custody with Watson, Preston, and Hooper, on the charge for -high treason, he was a stout, active, cheerful-looking man, with -something of a fearless and determined cast of features. His deportment -at that time was free and unembarassed, with much of the air of a -sea-faring man. Within the six months previous to the present arrest, -his appearance had, in every respect, undergone a total change; he -had been seen constantly in the streets, dressed in a shabby manner; -his countenance squalid and emaciated, and his whole dress and the -expression of his features, denoting a man who was reduced to a state -of extreme indigence. He was generally observed walking or running -through the streets with eager impetuosity, and his shoes and an old -surtout coat, which he generally wore, bearing all the marks of the -poverty and distressed circumstances of the wearer. - -When before the Privy-Council, his dress was an old black coat and -waistcoat, which were thread-bare, corduroy breeches very much worn, -and old worsted stockings. His general appearance indicated great -distress; his limbs were slender, and his countenance squalid and -somewhat dejected. There was nothing of agitation in his manner. He sat -with his eyes chiefly fixed on the ground, except when he occasionally -raised them to survey Members of the Privy-Council, as they passed -through the hall on their way to the Council-room. - -The following Privy-Councillors were present at his examination:--The -Duke of Wellington, the Earls of Harrowby, Liverpool, and Westmoreland, -Lords Sidmouth, Castlereagh, and Melville, the Chancellor of the -Exchequer, Mr. Canning, Mr. Wellesley Pole, Sir William Scott, the -Chief Baron of Scotland, the ex-Attorney-general, (Sir S. Shepherd), -Mr. Bragge Bathurst, and other members of the cabinet. - -It is impossible to describe the anxiety and horror which pervaded the -countenances of thousands of persons who went to view the scene of -action the day after the arrest. Through the whole of the day, and till -very late in the evening, several persons of the highest consideration -in the country visited the place. A man no way authorized, took -possession of the place, and imposed on the public by demanding a -shilling from each person for admission. - -The alarm in the neighbourhood, on hearing the report of fire-arms, and -the noise of contest on premises which they considered untenanted, may -be more easily conceived than described. It was heightened by every -circumstance of terror that the imagination could form to itself. -The house was surrounded with soldiers and police-officers--fighting -was heard within--officers were obscurely seen scaling a ladder and -entering the scene of battle, while their fate and the cause of the -combat were entirely unknown. Some of the persons belonging to the -public-house adjoining, after running to the spot, fled in dismay when -they heard the balls whistling about their ears. - -Several of the inhabitants of Cato-street had observed, since the -preceding Monday, strange-looking men coming about the empty premises. -On the morning of Wednesday, (the day of the arrest) they saw -Davidson, the man of colour, and three others, watching at different -ends of the street, while some of their associates were heard nailing -up the windows within the loft. Before dusk Davidson again made his -appearance, with a sack on his back, which the neighbours at the time -supposed to contain carpenters’ tools for repairing or new-modelling -the interior of the building, but which had in fact conveyed the arms -with which they were to equip themselves for their daring enterprise. -After the arsenal was formed, the band arrived; and the people in the -public-house were surprised, if not alarmed, to see upwards of twenty -persons, entire strangers to the place, hovering about their premises, -and at last entering the den. Still they had no suspicion of what was -going forward, and no presentiment of what was in a short time to -occur. The police soon arrived, and the murderous struggle took place -which we have already described. - -The body of Smithers, who was murdered, was removed to the Horse and -Groom public-house, opposite. He must have died instantly, and without -convulsion. He received only one wound, about an inch below his right -breast, and about an inch in width. His body was exposed in a room on -the first floor of the public-house, above-mentioned, in the dress -in which he was killed. His breast and neck were covered with blood, -but his countenance was as placid, and his features as composed, as -if their expression had been arrested, and life extinguished, during -a tranquil sleep. On his death being mentioned to Lord Sidmouth, his -Lordship expressed great regret at the event, and sympathy for his -surviving widow; saying, with great humanity, that, as he could not, -restore to her her husband, he would take care that she should not want -his assistance in a pecuniary point of view. The unfortunate man’s -sister, from Putney, was one of the first to view the dead body of her -brother, and deeply affected the spectators with the poignancy of her -sorrow. - -The sword with which the murder of Smithers was perpetrated is of -foreign manufacture, and nearly a foot longer than those which we are -ordinarily in the habit of seeing. - -A lady, of the name of Northmore, who lives in a street immediately -adjoining that in which the conspirators assembled, found a _sabre_ in -her yard, which had been thrown away by one of the gang, in his flight. -This also is a weapon of foreign manufacture, and, from its appearance, -had evidently been ground within a day or two. It was perfectly sharp -on both sides, and, in addition to its brass hilt, there was attached -to it a handkerchief, so disposed as to afford a sort of guard for the -arm. Mrs. Northmore, on finding the weapon, sent for a friend, who -advised her to transmit it to Bow-street. This was accordingly done; -and, extraordinary to relate, it was recognised by an active member of -that establishment as exactly representing one of two sabres, of which -a description had been given at the office, and which were known to -have been lately taken to a cutler, for the purpose of grinding. - -The hand-grenades found in the loft, and produced in the examination, -are about the size of a large orange, made of cast-iron, filled with -combustibles; they have a round hole, in which is placed a fuse, -which, on being set fire to, is thrown by the hand, and when it -falls it explodes: the splinters caused by the explosion spread in -all directions, and one of them has been known to kill ten or twelve -persons. It was intended to explode these horrible instruments at the -Earl of Harrowby’s house. - -After the committal of Thistlewood by the Privy-Council, the whole of -the prisoners underwent an examination, likewise by the Privy-Council; -and on their being re-committed, one of them proposed to become king’s -evidence, which offer was accepted. - -During the attendance of Mr. Birnie upon the Privy-Council on -Thistlewood’s examination, the officers arrived at Bow-street, with all -the persons found in the house where Thistlewood had been apprehended, -and Mr. J. E. CONANT, the magistrate, proceeded with their examination; -they consisted of the landlady of the house, Mrs. Hill, a lodger, and -Lewis Casper, a man who did not lodge in it. - -ELIZABETH HARRIS, the landlady, stated, that her husband worked at the -letter-foundry of Messrs. Caslon and Catherwood, in Chiswell-street, -Moorfields. On Wednesday, the 23d of February, she had a bill in -her window to let her lodgings, when in the morning, between ten -and eleven o’clock, Thistlewood came into her house, and inquired -about the lodging: she told him it was only half a bed with her -nephew. Thistlewood agreed for the half bed, for which he was to pay -two shillings and sixpence a week, and was to take possession of -it that night. She at first said, that she had a slight knowledge -of Thistlewood, but denied it afterwards. It was supposed she was -concealing him, as he was locked up in the room. This she explained, -by saying the door flew open, and she could not keep it shut without -locking it. She said Thistlewood arrived at her house between ten and -eleven o’clock on Wednesday night: he observed that he was late; she -replied he was late, and she had almost given him up. He then went to -bed. Her street-door standing open only by a latch, the officers had -entered and searched the upper part before she knew they were there, -when they asked her to unlock the door where Thistlewood was in bed, -which she instantly did. She did not know Lewis Casper had been in her -house till she found him in the coach with her when they were brought -away. - -LEWIS CASPER stated himself to be a watch-finisher, residing in -Union-street, Bishopsgate, and accounted for his being in the house by -saying he was with Mrs. Hill, the lodger, who washed for him, and he -appointed his little boy to call for a key there. - -This man was detained till it was ascertained if he was the man he -represented himself to be. Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Hill were discharged -for the present. - -In the course of Thursday, the 24th of February, the following persons -were arrested as concerned in the conspiracy:-- - -BRUNT, who was to have been second in command to Thistlewood. He was -a shoemaker; an excellent workman, and earned between forty and fifty -shillings a week. He was taken in bed. He had previously provided -himself with a sword and a brace of pistols, in case of need, but he -did not make use of them on this occasion. He was apprehended at his -lodgings in Fox-court, Gray’s-inn-lane; in his room a vast quantity of -hand-grenades, and other combustibles, were found. These were charged -with powder, pieces of old iron, and other materials, calculated upon -explosion to produce the most horrible consequences. A great number of -pike-blades, or stilettoes, such as were discovered in Cato-street, and -a number of fire-arms, were likewise found. The whole of these were -taken to Bow-street. He was afterwards sent to Whitehall, and then -committed to Coldbath-fields. - -FIRTH, the person by whom the stable was let to Harris. He admitted -that he has attended some of the Radical meetings, but denied any -knowledge of the conspiracy. - -COOPER, a shoemaker, living in Garden-court, Baldwin’s-gardens: he was -apprehended in the middle of the day. - -SIMMONS, a footman, living with a respectable family in -Seymour-street. He underwent an examination before the secretary of -state for the home department, and another before the magistrates at -Bow-street, was ultimately committed to Tothill-fields’ prison. - -TADD, a shoemaker, of whom the following account was given at the -period of his arrest. He is a man of the age of 49, and lived with -his wife and family in a small and miserable dwelling situated in -the Hole-in-the-Wall-passage, leading from Baldwin’s-gardens to -Torrington-street. His family consists of one daughter, and two orphan -children, whom he had taken under his care. Tadd has been esteemed -among his neighbours, and by those who have employed him in his trade, -as an industrious sober man, and an excellent workman. He has earned -by his own hands forty shillings a week, and very often even a greater -sum. During the whole course of his life, he was never known to neglect -his work, or become inebriated; but within the last week he had been -in a drunken state, and his family had been at a loss to account for -the extraordinary change in his conduct. On Wednesday night, three men -came to Tadd while in such a state of drunkenness as scarcely to be -able to keep his legs, and forced him away, notwithstanding the earnest -entreaties and remonstrances of his wife and family. Nothing was said -by the men who took him away, as to their object, either to the wife -or any one in the house; and during the whole night, and the greater -part of the next day, they were in total ignorance of the circumstances -since disclosed, and were at a loss to account for the absence of -Tadd. In the morning (Thursday), between seven and eight o’clock, two -men came to the house, laden with a box of a considerable size, and, -putting it down on the floor, said, “they would call in a few minutes -for it.” The men refused to answer the interrogatories put to them as -to their object in leaving the box, and only repeated, that, they -would call in a short time, and take it away. Very soon afterwards, -two more men came with a large bundle of sticks, some of them of the -thickness of a man’s wrist. These were left in a similar manner, and -the men also refused to answer any questions, saying only, that they -would call again for them in a few minutes. Ten minutes had not elapsed -before two police-officers entered the house, and seized the box and -sticks. When opened, the box was discovered to contain a great number -of pike-heads, sharpened ready for use. The sticks were also seized, -and carried away by the officers. It would appear, from this statement, -that Tadd was taken by the three men whom we have described to the -stable in Cato-street, where he was subsequently apprehended, and -carried to Bow-street, together with several others. - -ROBERT ADAMS, living in a miserable hovel in Brooks’-market, Holborn, -and working as a shoemaker. He some time since was a private in the -Royal Horse-guards, in which regiment he served for five years. He very -much resembles Thistlewood in his person, but has a cast in his left -eye. - -In addition to these arrests, several warrants were issued, among which -was one against a native of France. - -The lodgings of Thistlewood, and of all the others who were taken into -custody, were searched, and several important papers, and quantities of -arms, were discovered and seized. Among those found in Thistlewood’s -apartment was a copy of the bill furnished to Dr. WATSON by Mr. Ottley, -owner of the Crown and Anchor Tavern, in the Strand, for the expenses -of the dinner given to Hunt, on his return from Manchester. Judging -from his former connexions, it may be considered as fortunate for the -Doctor that he was not able to liquidate this debt, being at the time -of the arrests an inmate of Whitecross-street prison on account of -this bill, and thus saved from the temptation of joining his former -associates. - -It is a singular fact, that when Thistlewood was arrested, he had not a -farthing of money in his possession. The same observation may be made -with respect to his comrades, all of whom were in the most wretched -state of poverty. - - -We will here suspend for a time the particulars of the proceedings -against the Conspirators, for the purpose of recording the proceedings -of the CORONER’S INQUEST on the body of RICHARD SMITHERS, the -unfortunate Bow-street officer, who was murdered, as before stated, -when in the execution of his duty, in Cato-street. The inquest was -held on Friday the 25th February, at the Horse and Groom public-house, -John-street, Edgeware-road, which is situated but a few yards from the -spot where the atrocious deed was perpetrated. In the course of the -day great numbers of persons visited the miserable building which the -Conspirators had selected as the scene of their deliberations, and one -universal feeling of horror and detestation against Thistlewood and his -infamous associates appeared to actuate the multitude. - -The Coroner for the county of Middlesex, THOMAS STIRLING, Esq., having -arrived, and proclamation having been made by the beadle of the parish -of St. Mary-le-bone, that the Jury summoned should proceed to inquire -“when, how, and by what means, Richard Smithers came by his death,” the -Jury were sworn. - -The foreman of the jury observed to the coroner, that he and his -fellow-jurors wished to inspect the body in the presence of the -surgeon, in order that he might be ready to answer any question that -might arise on the moment. This suggestion was complied with; and on -the return of the jury from viewing the body, - -Mr. FISHER, the surgeon, was sworn, and deposed as follows:--I am -surgeon to the Police establishment in Bow-street. I was called upon -for the first time, this day, to examine the body of the deceased. I -found an external wound under the right breast. It was two inches in -length, and half an inch broad. I opened the body to ascertain the -depth and direction of the wound, and I discovered that some sharp -instrument had penetrated between the fifth and sixth ribs, wounded -the outward surface of the right lobe of the liver, passed through the -diaphragm into the chest, lacerated the pericardium, penetrated the -right ventricle of the heart, wounded the left lobe of the lungs, and -struck against the ribs on the left side. The wound I supposed to be -about twelve inches in length. The blood flowed from the heart, and -occasioned immediate death. The opening in the pericardium was larger -than that presented by the external wound, which was always the case -with wounds of this description. The weapon was prevented from passing -entirely through the body by the ribs on the left side. It must have -been a very sharp instrument, both pointed and cutting, to make such -a wound. The membranes, which were cut asunder, could only have been -severed by an exceedingly sharp instrument. That death was inevitable -after such a wound, the heart having been cut open, and the blood -effused into the cavity of the chest. - -GEORGE THOMAS RUTHVEN being sworn, said, I am an officer belonging -to the public-office in Bow-street. On Wednesday evening last, at -half-past eight o’clock, I was in this house. I received an order from -Mr. Birnie, who is a Justice of the Peace for the county of Middlesex, -to go to a shed or stable in Cato-street, in consequence of a number -of men being assembled there for treasonable purposes. There was a -warrant issued by Mr. Baker, a magistrate of Marlborough-street. On -entering the house, I observed in the lower place a man with a cutlass -at his side, and a musket on his shoulder. The door by which I entered -from the street was not fast; there were persons going in and out; the -man with the musket seemed as if he was guarding the staircase; there -was only one man on guard. Ellis, Smithers, the deceased, and several -others, went in with me. I don’t know how they came in. They were of -course ordered. They were all constables, in number about a dozen. I -was the first person that entered. Mr. Birnie, the magistrate, was -not there at that time; he was at hand in the street, giving orders. -The man who stood at the door as sentinel was walking about. I did -not stop to see what he did particularly, but immediately called out -to some of the party who followed to secure him. I am not aware that -they did secure him, for I immediately went up the stairs. I believe -that man was taken; but I am not aware that he was apprehended then; I -believe he was caught afterwards. I ascended by a sort of step-ladder -staircase. The stairs were so narrow, that the officers were obliged -to go one by one. When I got up to the top of the ladder, I observed -a sort of table or carpenter’s bench, and a number of arms on it. -Thistlewood was on the right-hand side of the table. I know Thistlewood -very well. I have followed him for days and nights together. I think -about twenty-four or twenty-five persons were assembled. There were -different sorts of arms on the table: a variety of pistols and swords. -They looked as if they were sorted out. They were handing about as if -they were giving or distributing them to each other. Arthur Thistlewood -was one. I am quite certain that he was present: I have followed him -for days together. He stood by the side of the table handing arms -about. He had on a sort of a long brown coat, I think. I knew him as -well as I knew my father; quite as well. I could not be mistaken. I -have no doubt whatever as to the identity of Thistlewood. As soon as -I thought that three or four of the party were up, I said aloud, “We -are officers, seize their arms.” I did this to warn the people who we -were. As soon as I said this, they each took up what they could from -the table, and retired to the farther part of the room. Thistlewood, -being near a door that leads into a little closet over the coach-house, -retired into that room. He was not further from the door of the little -room than I am from that gentleman who is writing there (pointing -to a gentleman who sat writing within about four feet of witness). -There were others in that little room; how they got in there I cannot -tell. I suppose there were five or six, or four or five persons in -it. The whole party appeared at that time to be armed. Thistlewood, -as he retired, had a sword in his hand, which he moved in a menacing -way to keep the officers off. He was not striking with it, but moving -his arm round as if to make a stab. The sword appeared bright. As we -approached, he retired; and Smithers, who was within a pace of me to -the right, stepped forward with his staff. Thistlewood immediately -stabbed him, and he fell on me. A pistol was then fired; I know not by -whom. I saw the swords of the party directed against the candles, which -were immediately put out. Thistlewood stabbed the deceased in the right -side as he approached. He did not come out of the little room to do it. -He was within the little room, and thrust forward his arm to strike the -blow. I saw the sword he carried; it was bright, and glittered. I did -not see the hilt. It was a long blade, three feet and a half or four -feet long. It appeared straight; but he waved it in such a way, that my -eyes might have deceived me as to its shape. - -When Smithers fell, he fell upon me, being stabbed on the right side, -and I standing a little to his left. I could not at the moment tell -whether he appeared to be much injured. In falling, he said, “Oh, Lord! -Oh, my God! I am done!” I believe these were his words, or something of -that sort. - -I don’t know whether Thistlewood drew the weapon out of his body; for -instantaneously a pistol was fired, and the lights were put out. I -have been enabled to recognise three of the persons who were in the -room, besides Thistlewood, I think, since. They are Shaw Strange; he -has another name; a man named Blackburn, and James Wilson. There was -another man who stood at the door, and fired at a sergeant; his name is -Tidd: I don’t know his christian name. The sergeant at whom he fired is -present. Tidd first attempted to fire a pistol at Captain Fitzclarence. -I seized his arm, and he pulled me down on him. I called on the -sergeant to take the pistol from him, and he fired at the sergeant and -tore his clothes. I am sure that Blackburn, Wilson, Shaw Strange, and -Tidd, were present. There were also two other persons taken, who had -been in this house (the Horse and Groom) in the course of the evening. -I did not recognise them in the room; but I know they were apprehended, -and, I believe, admitted that they had been there. They left a stick -behind them in the Horse and Groom; the end of it was evidently cut for -the purpose of holding a weapon. - -It was like a broom-stick, with a hole cut in the top. The persons -that I allude to have admitted that they were in the room at the time -the officers entered; but I do not know it. One of them was taken by -Captain Fitzclarence; I have seen him here before. These two persons -came in to drink a pint of porter, and left the stick behind them in a -mistake. One of them came back, and asked for a little walking-stick. -The boy, who thought it a queer sort of a stick, had taken it -up-stairs, but returned it to the person who called for it. That stick -was at the public-office. These persons called at the Horse and Groom -an hour before the officers proceeded to the loft. Nothing took place -before the party fired, except my exclaiming, “We are officers--take -their arms.” When Smithers fell, a pistol was fired, and the lights -were put out. I cannot say by whom the pistol was fired. The moment -Smithers fell, somebody in the room where Thistlewood was, cried -out--“Kill the b----rs; throw them down stairs!” I also cried, “Aye, -kill them,” that they might mistake me for a friend. There were nine -persons taken that night. I was not present at the apprehension of all -of them. While I was securing two of them the rest were brought in. -After I had secured Tidd, Wilson, and Blackburn, I proceeded to secure -the others; they were then conveyed to Bow-street, and afterwards to -the House of Correction. - -Several of the party escaped; nine only being taken, and the number in -the room appearing to me to be about twenty-five. - -When the prisoners were secured by the soldiers, I went up into the -loft, and saw Smithers lying on his face; this was twenty minutes or -half an hour after the entrance had been made. There were hand-grenades -and arms lying about the room. I had no time before to pay attention -to Smithers. A man below stairs endeavoured to escape from the door; -he had a pistol in his hand. I called out, “Secure that man!” When -I did so, he lifted his arm, and attempted to fire the pistol at -Captain Fitzclarence; I caught hold of him, and the sergeant coming -up, I desired him to take the pistol. The man fired, and struck the -sergeant’s coat with a bullet. - -I believe only four of us got up. The party in the room fired directly -at the staircase, thinking we were coming up in numbers. If they had -not done so, they would have killed me, for I stood at one side of it. - -There was somebody below who I expected would take care of the -sentinel; but, in the confusion, he was handed from one to another, -and thus escaped for a few minutes. It was quite dark, and I could not -see the party escaping. There were, I think, twenty shots fired at us. -It appeared to me as if some shots were fired from the window into the -street to create alarm. The whole civil power present on the occasion -was not more than twelve or fourteen men. I do not know the man who -was acting as sentinel; I believe his name is Davidson. He is a man of -colour. I had not time to notice him particularly. I believe he was the -man who was walking at the foot of the stairs, with a cutlass by his -side, and a musket on his shoulder. I believe there was one light in -the lower part of the building where he was. Some one, however, cried -out, “They are up-stairs,” and we heard the clashing of arms. I cannot -identify the man who was below stairs, I cannot swear to him. There was -another officer shot on the left side of the head; he was dangerously -wounded; his name is Surman. Another officer, of the name of Westcott, -had two or three shots through his hat. One of the bullets struck him -on the finger, but did not hurt him materially. I was not wounded at -all. At the time I did not know friend from foe. Immediately when -the party cried out, “Kill the b----s,” I also said, “Kill them,” in -order to deceive them. I had a brace of pistols; one of them flashed -in the pan. The lights being out, I was afterwards afraid to fire, -lest I might kill one of my comrades. There was a latch to the door -which led into the street, and I found no difficulty in getting in. I -secured a considerable quantity of arms; amongst the rest there was a -large grenade, and several hand-grenades. The large one consisted of -a tin canister, with a plate at top, strengthened by several pieces of -iron, and bound round with a quantity of tarred rope. I got eight of -the hand-grenades; they were about the size of my doubled fist. I also -found in the room two swords, and some ball-cartridges, which are in my -possession. - -The large grenade weighs fourteen or fifteen pounds. It is a canister -strongly bound with tarred rope. It is not circular. A number of -pistols, swords, cartridges, and bullets, were also found in the room. - -No person but Thistlewood offered violence before the candles were -put out. There were likewise found in the room about three dozen of -weapons, which resembled a sort of bayonet. The bottom part had not -a socket like a bayonet, but a screw to fasten into a stick. I found -also a dozen of sticks, formed for the purpose of being fitted to those -bayonets. - -The bayonets appeared to be newly made. They are very rough, and not -at all brightened or polished. The balls I picked up in the room were -not fired from pistols. If they had, they would have been flattened; I -desired the men to pick the arms up, and each man to keep safely what -he found: in consequence, some were in the possession of one man, and -some in that of another; two or three muskets were either found in the -room, or else taken from some of the persons who had been apprehended. - -The party had no notice but what I gave that we were officers. - -The deposition of this witness having been read over to, and signed by, -him, - -JAMES ELLIS was next called.--Having been sworn, he stated, I live at -No. 22, Paradise-row, Palmer’s-village, St. Margaret’s, Westminster, -and am an officer belonging to the Bow-street patrol. I am also a -constable. On Wednesday night last, about half-past seven o’clock, Mr. -Stafford, the chief clerk at Bow-street, directed me to take Richard -Smithers, John Surman, and William Gibbs, and to proceed in a coach -with them to John-street, Edgeware-road, as fast as possible, there -to meet Mr. Birnie, who would give us further orders. We did so; and -when we arrived at the spot, we found Mr. Birnie waiting. He inquired -whether we had seen any thing of the military. We told him we had -not. He said he expected them every minute. In about twenty minutes -Mr. Birnie called us together. Some inquiries were made, but I don’t -know of whom, as to what number were likely to be in the room to which -we were going, and whether Arthur Thistlewood was to be there. Mr. -Birnie gave me a warrant, signed by Mr. Baker, of Marlborough-street, -to apprehend Arthur Thistlewood and thirteen other persons named in -it. I have not the warrant; I have given it to Mr. Baker. On our -being called together, and Mr. Birnie being given to understand that -Thistlewood and others were in the room, he asked how many there might -be present, and was informed that there was about a dozen. He then -inquired how many there were of us. We told him about a dozen also. He -said he had been disappointed in the soldiers, who had perhaps missed -their way, and were half an hour too late, and that we must proceed to -apprehend the parties. We said we would do the best we could. Smithers -observed, if there were forty of them we would secure them. Mr. Birnie -then directed me to call Ruthven, another officer, out of the Horse -and Groom, and we were sent forward to the house, the military not -having come in time. Ruthven opened the door and went in; it was a -kind of stable where the meeting was held. Ruthven went in first, I -followed him. When I entered the stable I observed a man with belts -on, a musket or fusil on his arm, and a sword at his side. I believe -he held the musket in the position which soldiers do, when on duty. He -was walking backward and forward. Ruthven desired some person to take -charge of him. I took him by the collar, turned him half round, and -gave him to some other person, observing at the same time that he was -a man of colour. At that moment Ruthven was at the foot of the ladder, -up which he went. I followed as closely as I possibly could, and was -immediately followed by Smithers. Before I got up the ladder, I heard -a clattering of swords. I heard Ruthven say at that moment, “We are -officers, seize their arms,” or “lay down your arms,” I cannot tell -which. Upon gaining the top of the ladder, Ruthven turned a little to -the left, to go round a table or carpenter’s bench. I observed a number -of men falling back to the other end of the room. They were apparently -all armed. I also saw three or four men backing into the little room -on the right. They were all armed with swords or cutlasses. A tall -man immediately brandished a sword at me: his foot was advanced in a -fencing attitude, as if he meant to stab. I held up my staff in my left -hand, and presented a pistol at him with my right; I held up my staff -that he might see it, to shew him what I was. The light was then as -good as it is here: it was very lightsome: I desired the man to desist, -or I certainly would fire. I did not fire then, I did afterwards. I -did not know who the tall man was that threatened me at the time, but -I have seen him since, and I know it was Thistlewood. There were some -persons in the further room to the right. There was another closet -near to the ladder, which was not discovered nor opened for half an -hour afterwards. No one was found there. Smithers rushed past, and -endeavoured to get into the little room. I saw the tall man draw his -hand back, and make a thrust of a sword at him, which I saw strike him -on the breast. - -It was the same tall man, Thistlewood, who had flourished his sword -at me. The manner in which he did it made me fix my eyes on him, so -as to mark the kind of countenance he had. Smithers, on being struck, -immediately threw up his hands, fell towards me, and exclaimed, “Oh! -my God!” I instantly fired at the man who killed Smithers, but I -missed him. Smithers fell against me at the time, so as to drive me to -the head of the stairs. A rush was then made by the party, and I was -knocked down from the top to the bottom of the ladder. The moment I -fired, the candles were all put out with the swords. - -I think there were four or five and twenty persons present. There were -four or five in the small room. The time was so short that very little -observation could be made. I ran to the door, when two or three shots -were fired in the stable below, where I was. I don’t know by whom they -were fired. It was in the dark, and I could not discover friend from -foe. I do not know that any officer fired except myself. I have not -heard of such a thing. When I arrived at the door, I heard a cry of -“Stop him,” and instantly saw a man running at the other side of the -street; I pursued, and took him in the street, about twenty yards from -the door. When laying hold of him, he made a cut at me with a long -sword. This was the man of colour. I received a cut, a very slight one, -in the leg. I think it was when his arm, in striking at me, swung round -my neck, that the sword, which was a very long one, hit my leg. The -man’s name is Davidson. I believe him to be the same man who kept the -door, but I will not positively swear to that. I took him to a shop at -the corner, and seized his fusil, which was that of a light-horseman, -but perhaps rather heavier. - -I have seen Thistlewood, and I believe him to be the man that struck -Smithers. I did not know him at the time. I saw him for six or seven -seconds, or more, when he brandished his sword at me, until he went -towards the little room. On seeing that, Smithers rushed forward, and -the moment he got near the door, I saw him struck. I was sure that he -was killed. It was a stab--a thrust--he received. The sword was long, -very bright, and triflingly turned at the end. It seemed sharp on both -sides. He brandished it at me. The whole space of this time was not -more than ten or twelve seconds. I saw the man with his sword, before -I got to the top of the ladder. As soon as Davidson was secured, I -returned to the place, and I then found the military had come. I left -Davidson in a shop, with two of our people to take care of him. The -prisoners were all disarmed, and I proceeded to tie them together. I -was only a few minutes gone when I took Davidson. I stayed as little -time as I possibly could. - -As soon as I had tied the prisoners I went to Smithers; he was lying -on his face. I turned him up, and I believe he breathed faintly. I -afterwards found a pistol, a bayonet, a quantity of ball cartridges, -and several bullets. Many other weapons were found by the officers. - -I am most positive of the identity of Thistlewood. I feel no hesitation -on the subject. - -[Here the witness handed some of the bullets which he had taken to the -Jury.] - -Witness continued.--I was entering the centre of the room when Smithers -passed me. I had my eyes fixed on Thistlewood, when he was brandishing -his sword. I am able to recognize him, though I could not recognise any -of the others. I saw him for eight or ten seconds, but I cannot speak -to his dress: it was a dark dress, but I cannot speak to it distinctly. -I heard yesterday, that Thistlewood was the person who struck the -blow, but that did not affect my opinion. I would have sworn to him, -if it had not been mentioned. There were several persons wounded. An -officer named Biggs was wounded. The place where the business occurred -is not ten yards from this. It is the first stable down the yard, and -is, I think, on the north side of the street. When I fell down the -ladder, I fell on some of the officers who were coming up. I should -have been shot if I had not so fallen. There were several shots fired -in the stable. I had a cutlass by my side, but could not use it. The -flashes were numerous below, but I could not see who or what they were -who fired. In the confusion Davidson escaped, but I afterwards took -him. When I came back there were several persons in custody. There were -many shots fired from the window. - -We officers carry cutlasses, but they could be of no use against the -length of the swords which the party made use of. - -I cannot state the specific words of the warrant. It was given to me -in the street by Mr. Birnie, and has been placed in the hands of Mr. -Baker, the magistrate. - -The Coroner inquired of Pyall, the beadle, whether he had the warrant -in his possession, and was answered in the negative. - -The WITNESS.--The warrant was in my possession; it authorized us to -apprehend Arthur Thistlewood and thirteen other persons named in it, -for unlawfully assembling together, but for what specific purpose I -cannot say, and to bring them before the sitting magistrate, to be -dealt with according to law. - -PYALL, the beadle, was despatched to Mr. Baker for the warrant, and the -deposition of Ellis having been read over to him, he signed it. - -WILLIAM WESTCOTT next underwent an examination to the following -effect:--I live at No. 10, Simmons-street, Sloane-square, Westminster, -and am one of the assistant patrol of Bow-street.--On Wednesday night -last, I was sent to the stable in Cato-street, by order of Mr. Birnie. -I accompanied Ruthven, Ellis, Smithers, and others to the spot. Ruthven -went first, and I followed Smithers. I was behind him in the stable. -The moment Ruthven, Ellis, and Smithers had gone up the ladder leading -to the loft, I seized a man in the stable below dressed like a butcher. -His name I believe was Ings.--When I entered, he rushed out against -me: and finding resistance, put his hand to his belt, as if to pull -something out of it. I immediately knocked him down by hitting him on -the right eye. He was dressed in a long coat beneath his jacket, and -had an apron over the whole. This happened before the first pistol was -fired, and I was in the act of handcuffing him when I heard a fresh -pistol fired in the loft. I had not quite succeeded before Thistlewood -came down the ladder, and as he was upon the steps fired a pistol; -whether levelled at me or not I cannot say. Seeing me so busily engaged -in securing the butcher, he levelled another shot at my head, and at -the same time made several cuts at me with a sabre. The pistol went -off, and the shot penetrated my hat. I knocked him down with the stick -I had in my hand, but he rose and succeeded in making his escape. While -I was engaged with Thistlewood, Ings contrived to make his escape also; -when Thistlewood was gone, I found that I was wounded in the hand, -and that some shot had gone through the flap of my coat. In the mean -time both Thistlewood and Ings succeeded in getting away. I pursued -Thistlewood, but in vain, and after having followed him through several -streets, I returned to the stable. I then went into the loft, and -saw the deceased lying dead on the floor. There were several persons -present, and the prisoners had been subdued. - -The Jury asked the witness whether Thistlewood was the first who came -down the steps?--There was a complete rush, and I did not particularly -observe whether he did or not. Did he come down before the officer -Smithers fell?--I did not see the officer fall. You went with the -whole body of the officers?--Yes, I did. There were only three -officers, I understand, in the loft?--I believe no more. Where were -the others?--They were upon the scout. Then I understand that after -the three officers mentioned had gone up, Thistlewood came down, and -prevented others from ascending the steps? Yes; and he fired down the -steps to prevent the ascent of others. - -CHARLES MOY.--I live at No. 11, London court, Mary-le-bone, and am a -watchman. On Wednesday night, about half-past eight, I apprehended -Ings, while Brooks was in pursuit of him. He fired at Brooks; but I -cannot say what fire-arms he used, as he threw it down before I reached -him. Brooks cried out, Stop thief! and I immediately apprehended him. -The ball went through the coat and waistcoat of Brooks, and grazed the -top of his shoulder. I took Ings down to Mary-le-bone watch-house, -assisted by Brooks and another officer. I searched him, and found seven -or eight bullets in his pockets, some gunpowder in a tin flasket, and a -haversack. He had a kind of belt on each side for pistols. - -SERGEANT LEGGE, of the 2d battalion of Coldstream Guards, was next -examined.--On Wednesday evening last I was called up about eight -o’clock, and received orders to march to John-street, Edgware-road. -I was then quartered in Portman-street barracks. A picket, usually -employed on occasions when the military is required in aid of the civil -power, was ordered out. It was commanded by Captain Fitzclarence. -Upon arriving at John-street, we were unable to ascertain the spot -whither we ought to proceed, and the captain advanced to ascertain what -we were to do. When he returned, he ordered the picket to advance at -double quick time. Upon reaching the stable in Cato-street, I observed -a man standing with a pistol in his hand. He presented it at Captain -Fitzclarence, and I knocked it aside with my pike. I then seized the -muzzle-end of the pistol with my hand, and a scuffle ensued between -the man and myself about the pistol. I kept firm hold of it till it -went off, and the ball passing by my arm, tore the cloth off my sleeve. -(Witness here exhibited the sleeve of his coat, which appeared to be -very much torn.) In wrestling with the prisoner, I held my face down -to the lock of the pistol, and as it went off the ball grazed my right -eyebrow. As soon as the pistol was discharged, the prisoner let go his -hold. I secured him, and delivered him over to the police. I believe -the prisoner’s name is Tidd. After this skirmish I followed my officer -and part of the picket up the steps into the loft. The greater part -of the picket had reached the loft before I was disengaged from the -prisoner. When I had reached the loft I discovered a table in the -centre of it, nearly covered with pistols, blunderbusses, ammunition, -and other arms of various descriptions. Three men had then surrendered; -I think their names were Monument, Cooper, and Gilchrist. I do not -recollect what police-officers were present at the time. Upon looking -on the floor, I saw the deceased lying dead at my feet. His body was -examined by the picket, and I perceived the wound on his right breast. -I was ordered back to the barracks for a reinforcement, and when I -returned, the whole of the prisoners taken that moment were collected -into the loft. Upon the arrival of the reinforcement, the prisoners -were conveyed to Bow-street. - -Here one of the jury observed, that the inquest had proceeded far -enough to ascertain the acts of Thistlewood. The Coroner replied, that -those who were aiding and abetting in the murder were equally guilty as -the principal; and it would be necessary to ascertain who they were, -and what they did. - -Here the examination was interrupted by the arrival of a messenger, -with a letter from Mr. Baker, the magistrate, to the Coroner. It was -read aloud, and was to the following effect:-- - -“I beg to inform you, that I granted a warrant on Wednesday the 23d -instant, for the apprehension of Arthur Thistlewood, and several -others, on a charge of felony, and that I afterwards received from Mr. -Ellis an order to lay it before the Privy-Council on the examination -of the prisoners when in custody. It has not yet been returned to me, -nor do I think that I shall be able to obtain it at the present moment. -Perhaps it would be better to adjourn the inquest for the present, -and I will endeavour to get it for you to-morrow, or send you the -information, on which it was issued.” - -WILLIAM SARMON.--I live in Edgeware-road, and am a tailor by trade. -On Wednesday night, about eight o’clock, I was passing through -Cato-street, and when opposite to the stable I heard Westcott say that -Smithers had been stabbed. In two or three minutes afterwards two men -rushed out of the stable. One of the two cut me with a sabre on the -hat. He was a tall man dressed in a dark coat. He struck at me twice, -and hit my thigh, but fortunately did not wound me. I was so frightened -at the moment, that I could not tell which way he ran, and I did not -stop to look. There were many people in the street at the time. I do -not know the appearance of Thistlewood. I only observed that the man -who struck me was of a pale complexion, and wore a dark long coat. -The other man who accompanied him out of the stable did not attempt -to strike me. They both passed behind me on the right hand, I think, -through the gateway towards John-street. I heard several shots within -the building, while I was standing opposite the stable. That night I -wore a loose coat, and by that means I was not wounded. I saw Westcott -go into the stable, and I knew him well. I had seen him many times -before. - -Here the examination of the witnesses terminated, and the Coroner -expressed a wish to receive some information respecting the christian -names of those who had been described as having been apprehended in -the stable. He thought there was no distinction between the case of -Thistlewood and the other prisoners; they all entertained the same -mischievous design, and shewed their purpose but too plainly, in being -so well furnished with fire-arms, hand-grenades, _&c._ He wished to -know whether the gentlemen of the Jury were satisfied with the evidence -already received. - -A juryman said, he wished to put a question to Ruthven, the officer, -before the verdict was pronounced; but Mr. Pyall, the summoning -officer, stated, that Ruthven had gone away, notwithstanding his -particular request that he should remain. - -The Coroner wished to know whether any of the Jury required an -adjournment of the inquest; if they did, he would willingly attend to -their request. The Jury unanimously declared that they were satisfied; -and the Coroner, in a formal manner, asked, “Is Arthur Thistlewood -guilty or not guilty of murder?” - -_Foreman._--Guilty. - -_Coroner._--Is William Davidson guilty of murder or manslaughter? - -_Foreman._--_Guilty of murder._ - -One of the Jury wished to ask a question, which he thought of some -importance, before the verdict was pronounced upon all the prisoners. -He wished to know whether those who might have met for a different -purpose were equally guilty of the murder with Thistlewood? - -The Coroner replied, that there could be no doubt that they were -implicated in the murder as much as Thistlewood himself, for whatever -illegal purpose they might have met. They had impeded the officer in -the execution of his duty, and one of them had killed him. - -A _Juryman_.--If any of the prisoners had been put in the same -situation as Thistlewood, they would probably have acted in the same -manner. - -_Another Juryman._--But are those who surrendered themselves equally -guilty? - -_Coroner.-_-There can be no doubt of it. They were all assembled for -one common purpose, and the act of one is the act of the whole. It -is clearly murder in them all. If a man intends to do a mischief to -another, and, instead of killing him, happens to kill a second, it is -equally murder, as if he had killed the man he intended. - -A _Juryman_.--Another doubt arises in my mind. Had not these men a -right to defend themselves, after the pistol had been fired by the -officer Ellis? - -_Coroner._--Certainly not; there cannot be a doubt upon it. - -The jury, by their foreman, then pronounced a verdict of “_Guilty of -Murder_” against the following prisoners: James Ings; Charles Cooper; -Richard Tidd; John Monument; John Charles Strange; Richard Blackburn; -James Wilson; James Gilchrist; and others unknown. - -In the course of the day, the afflicted parents of the deceased visited -the body, and showed much feeling upon the occasion. The old couple -were so decrepit as scarcely to be able to get up stairs. Smithers was -a stout, good-looking man, about thirty-three years of age. - -In addition to the wound that was the immediate cause of the death of -Smithers, it was found that a pistol bullet had penetrated his shoulder -nearly six inches. It was extracted by Bennett, and was found to have -been cast from pewter. A second sabre wound was also found under his -blade-bone. In what manner these wounds were inflicted, there are no -means of knowing, but it is supposed they occurred after his fall. - -On Thursday afternoon, the 2d of March, at four o’clock, his remains -were removed from his lodgings in Carteret-street, in the Broadway, -Westminster, and buried in the church-yard of St. Margaret’s, -Westminster, amidst a great concourse of sympathizing spectators. It -was too trying a task for his widow to undertake to follow him to the -grave, and she was prevailed on not to attempt it. The deceased’s -father and brothers followed as principal mourners. They were succeeded -by some private friends, and a numerous assemblage of officers and -others belonging to Bow-street office; Mr. John Lavender, belonging to -Queen-square police-office, to which the deceased formerly belonged; -Mr. Armstrong and his son, both officers belonging to the police-office -in Worship-street; making in the whole 67 persons; thus showing the -last mark of respect to a departed officer, who had fallen a sacrifice -by the hands of a ferocious assassin. - -The procession passed through the following streets; the windows of -each house were filled with spectators of both sexes;--Tothill-street, -Dartmouth-street, Great and Little Queen-streets, Great George-street, -and through the grand opening leading to St. Margaret’s church. The -rush from the crowd to gain admittance into the latter place was -astonishing; but no accident occurred. The service was performed by -the Rev. Mr. Rodber. The church-yard was filled with an immense crowd -of persons of all descriptions, among which were numerous soldiers -belonging to the Guards. A general regret and pity seemed to pervade -the whole of this vast assemblage at the melancholy fate of this -unfortunate man. The procession then returned through Tothill-street to -Carteret-street, when the officers returned to the undertaker’s. The -whole of this funeral was conducted in the most decorous manner; and -several magistrates were amongst the spectators. - - -On Sunday, the 27th of February, at one o’clock, the Cabinet Council -assembled at the secretary of state’s office for the home department, -to proceed with the investigation of the charges against the assassins. -Their lordships were assisted by the law officers. - -ROBERT ADAMS, late a private of the Royal Horse-Guards, and who had -become king’s evidence, was examined before their lordships, which -occupied their time till half-past two o’clock, which was then too late -an hour to proceed with the examination of ABEL HALL, a tailor, who had -been apprehended on Saturday morning by Lavender, Bishop, and Salmon, -the officers, in Seward-street, Chiswell-street. - -A quantity of ball-cartridges, a musket, and a cavalry sword, which -they found concealed in a ruinous shed at the back of a small house -near the Regent’s park, were this day produced. The woman occupying -the house was also brought up, but after a short examination she -was discharged. It did not appear that she had any knowledge of -these things being on her premises. These articles appear to have -been deposited in the place where they were found by some of the -conspirators in their retreat. - -On Monday, the 28th of February, the Privy-Council again met, and on -this day a proclamation was placarded in different parts of London, -offering a reward of 200_l._ for the apprehension of JOHN PALIN, -_alias_ PEELING, who had been charged with high treason. He was -described as being a child’s chair-maker, and as having been formerly a -corporal in the East London Militia, and about forty years of age. - -Private information was the same evening given to Lavender and -Bishop, that Palin, for whose apprehension the reward of 200_l._ -had been offered, was concealed in a house in the neighbourhood of -Battle-bridge. They proceeded immediately with their informer to the -spot described, but found that there was no ground for the suspicion -which had arisen. Though the officers did not find Palin, they found -three men and a woman of somewhat suspicious appearance. One man was in -bed, and said he was unwell. The patrol suspecting him to be one of the -Cato-street gang of assassins, and that he was in bed in consequence -of the bruises he had received, made him get up, when he was found to -have all his clothes on except his shoes. They stripped him, but he -had no bruises. The other two men were melting lead in a frying-pan. -One of the men lived at that place, the others in Monmouth-street -and Brownlow-street. They were all three brought to the office, and -underwent an examination before Mr. Birnie, when there being no charge -against them, and they not being known, they were discharged. It is -supposed that Palin might have taken the alarm, and escaped at the back -of the house while the officers were knocking at the door. - -The notorious PRESTON, the cobbling politician, of Spa-fields’ memory, -was also this day arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the -plot, under a warrant issued by R. Birnie, Esq. It appears that the -lodgings of this man were searched a few days before, but nothing -of a suspicious nature was found. On those occasions he facetiously -said--“his armory could not boast of a swan-shot, nor his port-folio -of a scrap of paper of the slightest political interest.” Circumstances -afterwards transpired which led to his arrest upon a charge of high -treason. He was found industriously engaged in mending a shoe, with his -family about him. He was surprised at this new visit, but submitted -to his fate with cheerfulness, not unaccompanied by an apparent sense -of his own importance. His daughters were highly indignant at this -intrusion on their domestic privacy. The officers conducted their -prisoner to Bow-street office, from whence he was sent to the Marquis -of Anglesea public-house opposite. He was placed under the care of -Lack, one of the patrol. He called for “a pipe and pot,” and, seating -himself before the fire, seemed perfectly happy. He laughingly said to -a gentleman who went to see him, that he thought “the farce would not -be complete till he was taken.” He had previously denied all knowledge -of the late conspiracy. After being shortly examined before Mr. -Birnie, he was sent to Covent-garden watch-house, where he remained in -confinement during that night. On the following morning he was removed -from that place of confinement to the secretary of state’s office for -the home department, where, at twelve o’clock, the Lords of the Council -assembled, consisting of the Cabinet Ministers, the Marquis of Camden, -Mr. Peel, Sir William Scott, Sir John Nicholls, Mr. Sturges Bourne, -together with the Attorney and Solicitor-Generals, and other law -officers. - -Mr. Buller, one of the principal clerks of the council, attended to -take the minutes of the proceedings. When Preston was taken in before -the Lords of the Council he behaved with his usual boldness and low -insolence to most of their lordships personally. He called upon them -with the most ludicrously impudent arrogance, and asked what they -meant by sending for him to disturb his peace of mind, and to disturb -the economy of his family, alluding to his three daughters binding -shoes, and himself making them. - -The examination of this impudent fellow lasted about half an hour, -after which he was committed to Tothillfields-bridewell in the custody -of two of the Bow-street officers. When he returned from the Council -Chamber he was almost breathless, and gasped out to those about -him--“Bless me, how I perspire! but I always do when I have any thing -like a subject to speak upon.” Whilst his commitment was making out, he -requested to be _assisted_ with a little porter. Some porter was given -to him, and whilst he was drinking it Lord Castlereagh passed through -the hall, when Preston observed, “Aye, there he goes! His lordship will -remember what I have said to him as long as he lives. I have talked -more treason, as they call it, to-day, than ever I did in my whole life -before.” The porter seemed to inspire him, and he was proceeding with -more remarks, when the officers received his commitment, and he was led -to the coach which was to convey him to prison. A number of gentlemen -were assembled in the hall; and, as he passed through the midst of -them, he bowed and smiled on all sides, repeatedly saying, “God bless -you all.” - -In the course of the day an application was made at the police-office, -Bow-street, by one of Preston’s daughters, to be allowed to see her -father, and to deliver him some clean linen; she was referred by the -magistrate to Lord Sidmouth, and accordingly wrote the following -letter to his Lordship, which she carried to the office of the Home -Department, and delivered it to one of the messengers, while she waited -in the hall for an answer:-- - -“My Lord,--I entreat your Lordship to allow an agonized daughter to -have an interview with her father, who was dragged from home, and -his family, consisting of three daughters besides myself, totally -unprotected, on a charge of which he is completely innocent, and of -which he has no knowledge whatever. My father’s house was searched four -times successively on four different days, and nothing was found that -could at all criminate him in the late dreadful proceedings. - -“I have called at Bow-street for the purpose of giving my father some -linen, and also to know if he could be held to bail, and have been -referred to your Lordship. I am now waiting in the lobby of the Home -Department Office with the linen to give to my father; and I hope your -Lordship will grant me an interview with him. - -“I am, my Lord, - -Your Lordship’s obedient humble servant, - -ANN PRESTON.” - -“_17, Princes-street, Drury-lane, Feb. 29._ -_To Lord Viscount Sidmouth_, &c. &c.” - - -After being absent some time, the messenger who carried the letter -to his Lordship returned, and told her she must call again on the -following day for an answer. She then inquired where her father -was, and was informed that he had been examined that day before the -Privy-Council, and had been committed. She then left the office in -tears. - -The next morning she waited at the office of the Home Department, -as she had been directed, for an answer to her application. She saw -Mr. Hobhouse, and was told by him, that she could not see her father -till after the following Friday; and, if she would call again on the -Saturday, she would probably have an order to see him. She waited in -the lobby until her father was brought out, after his examination -before the Privy-Council, and he looked very anxiously at her; but -they were not allowed to speak to each other. She had a bundle of -linen; and, when her father was conveyed to Tothill-fields prison, she -followed him, and gave the linen to the governor. - -About this time WADDINGTON, the fellow who had been brought into some -notoriety, by his arrest for being the bearer of a placard, the object -of which was to create an unlawful assembly on Kennington Common, -appeared before Mr. Hicks, the sitting magistrate at Bow-street, and -with ridiculous effrontery, stated that the reason of his calling was -to say that the officers had seized his books and papers, which they -were very welcome to do, as he had nothing in his possession that he -was ashamed of, or that could lead to any charge. His landlady, who was -present when his place was searched for books and papers, told him that -the officers had left a message, desiring him to attend at the office, -as he was wanted there; and he consequently attended. - -Mr. Hicks, the magistrate, professed himself unacquainted with the -affair; but desired that inquiries should be made, and it turned out -that some of the police-officers had searched his lodgings, and had -seized his books and papers; but they denied having left any message -for his appearance at the office, and there was no doubt but that it -was a mistake of his landlady in relating to him what had passed. - -The magistrate informed him that he had no charge against him. -Waddington withdrew from the office, after telling the magistrate that -he might always be found when wanted. - -We are happy, however, to announce that this man has since relinquished -politics, and taken up the more quiet occupation of porter to a -tallow-chandler. From his former enthusiasm in _the cause_, however, -it was supposed possible that he might have afforded shelter to some -of his quondam friends, and accordingly the officers were directed -to search his lodgings. They found no trace of radicalism, except a -whole-length portrait of himself, blowing a horn, carrying a large -bundle of twopenny trash under his arm, and in his hat a paper, -inscribed “Order, order! Public Meeting in Smithfield on Wednesday -next.” Underneath was written “Samuel Waddington, printer and publisher -to the Radical Union.” - -Having had occasion to introduce the names of these men, who have -lately forced themselves on the notice of the Public by their absurd, -but highly mischievous, interference in politics, it may not be -thought altogether irrelevant if we introduce a description of the -_Radical Committee Room, at the White Lion, Wych-street_, this being -the rendezvous, or place of meeting, where these self-elected Radical -Committees held their nightly meetings. - -The White Lion was a public-house, but has very properly been deprived -of its license by the Magistrates. It is situated a short distance from -Newcastle-street, towards the New Inn; the entrance to it from the -street is up a dark narrow passage, about thirty yards long. In the -tap-room, over the embers of an expiring fire, sat a set of suspicious, -ill-looking fellows, huddled close together; whilst at a small deal -table to the right sat Mr. ----, with a book and some papers and -printed bills before him; from the obscurity of the place, having no -light but what proceeded from a candle placed before Mr. ----, or from -that in the bar, a stranger coming in would not be able to recognise -any of the faces on seeing them afterwards elsewhere. On the right -hand, on entering the house, is a small parlour; here of an evening -a select committee assembled, and no others were admitted. This was -the room in which the most private transactions were carried on; Mr. -Thistlewood or Dr. Watson always came out into the passage to speak -to any person who called there on business. In a very large room up -stairs, and which is occasionally used as a school-room, upwards of a -hundred ill-looking persons have assembled of an evening; in it the -open committee and loose members of the society met; it had ranges of -forms all round and across the room, and had hardly ever more than two -or three candles to illuminate it. Here their processions, _&c._, were -arranged; their flags, _&c._, kept; whilst the more private business -was carried on below in the parlour. - - -We now resume our narrative of the proceedings previous to the final -commitment of the prisoners for trial. - -On Thursday, March 2d, the Lords of the Council met by appointment -at the Secretary of State’s office for the Home Department, at -twelve o’clock in the forenoon, to deliberate on the charges against -the prisoners, and to determine on the best and most proper mode -of proceeding against them without interrogating the prisoners or -examining any witnesses. The meeting was attended by the Cabinet -Ministers, the Marquis Camden, Viscount Palmerston, Mr. C. P. -Yorke, the chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer in Scotland, the -Hon. R. Ryder, Sir John Nicholl, Mr. R. Peel, Mr. W. Huskisson, the -Master of the Rolls, and Mr. S. Bourne. There were also present the -Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General, and Mr. Baker, the magistrate -belonging to the police-office in Marlborough-street, who signed -the warrant for entering the premises in Cato-street, and for the -apprehension of the gang. Their lordships continued in deliberation -till near half-past two o’clock. - -In consequence of some mistake in the transmission of an order, a -number of the prisoners were brought up from Coldbath-fields prison, to -the Secretary of State’s office; but as their lordships had determined -not to enter into any examination of the prisoners themselves on this -day, they were sent back under an escort, a few minutes after their -arrival. - -The next day another meeting of the lords of the council took place, -which was attended by the same persons as that on the previous day, -with the addition of Mr. Sheriff Rothwell, Sir William Curtis, and -other public characters. - -Soon after eleven o’clock in the morning, Lavender, Salmon, and -other officers, arrived in three coaches at Coldbath-fields prison, -with orders from the Secretary of State, to bring the conspirators -to Whitehall, for examination before the Privy Council. Mr. Adkins, -the governor of the prison, immediately delivered over the following -prisoners into the care of the officers, _viz._, Thistlewood, Monument, -Wilson, Davidson, Tidd, Gilchrist, Ings, Bradburn, Shaw, Cooper, and -Brunt. They were immediately conveyed in the coaches provided for their -reception to Whitehall. The prisoners were all handcuffed to each other. - -About the time that this detachment reached Whitehall, Mr. Nodder, the -Keeper of Tothill-fields prison, arrived at the same place in a coach, -with Preston, Simmonds, Harrison, Hall, and Firth, the keeper of the -loft in Cato-street. - -The whole of the prisoners, on their arrival at Whitehall, were placed -in the first apartment. Those from the House of Correction were placed -in a line, handcuffed together, on the bench immediately facing the -entrance, and the Tothill-fields’ prisoners were seated on a bench at -the right-hand side of the room. - -The appearance of the whole was wretched in the extreme, and one or -two of them seemed mere boys. Thistlewood appeared quite downcast, -his features every day undergoing an alteration for the worse; his -complexion had become quite jaundiced, and his general appearance -nerveless and emaciated; he wore the old brown surtout in which he -had been seen of late in the streets, and kept his eyes occasionally -gazing with indifference upon the strangers who thronged the room, -but mostly fixed on the ground. Davidson, the man of colour, seemed -perfectly at his ease, and talked cheerfully to the prisoner who sat -next him. Preston was not only quite composed, but enjoying a constant -smile of self-complacency at the inquisitiveness with which strangers -as they passed asked “Which is Preston?” “Which is Thistlewood?” -Preston seemed in his usual good spirits, and had not a little of the -appearance of having exhilarated them in the course of the morning by -a jolly draught. While the prisoners were in this room, a considerable -number of gentlemen were permitted to pass through the room, but none -to converse with them. The police-officers were stationed at the end of -each seat. - -The Council being assembled, they were examined singly before their -lordships. - -ARTHUR THISTLEWOOD was the first who was called in. The officers -immediately unlocked the handcuff of the prisoner, and conducted him to -the Council-chamber. He went up stairs with great alacrity, and being -introduced, he was placed at the end of the table, with an officer -on each side of him. The Lord Chancellor presided, and informed the -prisoner that he was about to be committed upon the double charge of -high treason and murder. He made no reply; but looked round at the -assembled ministers with a malignant scowl. This was all that passed, -and he was immediately re-conducted to his companions: he smiled as -he came back, and returned to his former seat. In a short time, as if -in contempt of the authority by which he was coerced, he put on his -hat, and assuming a look of defiance, remained in that state for the -remainder of the day. All the other prisoners were subsequently taken -up in the same manner. Monument and Simmonds were the last, and these -did not return for nearly half an hour. It appears that they, at this -time, endeavoured to make their peace by a disclosure of what they knew. - -The soldiers engaged in the affair were then called in, and desired -to look at the men whom they thought they could recognise. Sergeant -Legge and nine privates were present. They soon came forth, and said -they had no doubt as to the identity of the men they had assisted in -securing. All the arms and ammunition taken from the prisoners, and in -Cato-street, were deposited in an adjoining room under a guard. - -When INGS returned from the Council-chamber, he resumed his seat -with great sullenness; and as soon as the officers had replaced his -handcuffs, he and Thistlewood entered into conversation with great -eagerness. Thistlewood spoke almost in a whisper; but Ings was more -loud; and, at the close of their conference, he ejaculated, as if -talking to himself, but loud enough to be heard by all in the room--“It -is want of food which has brought us here. Death--death would be a -pleasure to me--I would sooner be hanged this instant, than turned into -the street there; for I should not know where to get a bit of bread for -my family; and if I had fifty necks, I’d rather have them all broken, -one after the other, than see my children starve!” - -PRESTON continued very talkative and lofty. He seemed bursting with -impatience to go before the Council; raising himself from his chair -every time the door opened, in hope of being the next called; then -sinking back into his seat with vexation and disappointment, and -exclaiming, “Oh! how I long to go up! My _genus_ is so great just now, -I don’t think there is any man alive has so great a _genus_ as mine is -at this moment.” Then he would pore upon the ground for a minute or -two in deep cogitation; and at length break out into the following -soliloquy:--“If it is the will of the Author of the World that I should -perish in the cause of freedom--his will, and not mine, be done! It -would be quite a triumph to me!--Quite a triumph to me!”--at the same -time throwing his arms about in a manner which savoured strongly of -insanity. It was not, however, his fate to be called before the council -at all at this time; though, when Thistlewood and some others expressed -regret that they had not applied to have their families admitted to see -them--he desired them very pompously to make themselves quite easy upon -that head, for he would take care to mention it in his speech to their -Lordships. - -Immediately after the prisoners had all been called in, an express was -sent off to Captain J. H. Elrington, fort-major of the Tower of London, -directing him to prepare for the immediate reception of ten state -prisoners. - -The whole of the examinations having been brought to a conclusion, -the council proceeded to deliberate upon the course which was to be -adopted with respect to each individual case. They remained thus -engaged for nearly two hours. During this interval the crowd in front -of the office greatly increased, and the most anxious entreaties were -made to be permitted to see the conspirators. These were in most cases -ineffectual. Only a few noblemen were permitted to enter, including -lord Westmoreland, lord Stair, and some others. - -The prisoners being themselves pretty well apprized of the charges -which were to be preferred against them, became less equivocal in -their behaviour. Wilson, Davidson, and Tidd, who were linked together, -were most daring. They laughed in derision at the persons who came to -view them, and seemed to be little affected by the situation in which -they were placed. Brunt, in imitation of his captain, put on his -hat, and thus assumed the character which has been assigned him, of -being second in command. At half past four Mr. Day, the clerk of the -papers, was sent for by Mr. Hobhouse, the under secretary of state, who -communicated to him the orders of the council. - -On Mr. Day’s return, he stated to Sir Nathaniel Conant and Mr. Baker, -who were remaining in his office, that eight of the prisoners were to -be forthwith committed to the Tower. He then produced the list, and -called over the names of the persons to whom he alluded. These were: - -Thistlewood, -Monument, -Brunt, -Ings, -Wilson, -Harrison, -Davidson, -Tidd. - -The men came forth as they were called, and were handcuffed two and -two. A short time now elapsed while the warrant to the constable of -the Tower was preparing, and until messengers were despatched to -obtain carriages, and require the presence of an escort of the Life -Guards. This period was occupied by the prisoners in a sort of confused -conversation. Harrison and Thistlewood at once threw off all reserve, -and shook hands. The others began to speak freely. Davidson said he -should like about a pound of beef-steak and a pot of porter, and -his companions agreed that it would be no bad finish to their day’s -amusements. Thistlewood said aloud, “I hear the Spaniards are getting -on famously!” Wilson answered, “Are they--a cursed good job!” “Aye,” -replied Thistlewood, “They’ll all have it in their turn; they may -scrag a few of us, but there is more going on than they are aware of.” -Harrison laughed, and exclaimed, “Aye, time will show all things.” - -A bustle outside now announced the approach of the Horse Guards, who -drew up in a double column in front of the office, under the command -of Captain Mayne. A hackney coach then drove up to the door, into -which Thistlewood and Brunt were put, accompanied by Mr. Ruff, one of -the king’s messengers, to whom the warrant was delivered, and by two -police-officers. The coach then drew off to a short distance, preceded -and followed by four of the Life Guards. A second carriage then came -up, into which Davidson and Ings were put; they were likewise guarded -by two officers. Ings, as he mounted the coach, exclaimed, “Hurra, -boys!” in expectation, no doubt, of having a cheer from the crowd -that was assembled. In this, however, he was disappointed; not a word -escaped from the lips of the by-standers at all in unison with the -principles of the conspirators--on the contrary, they seemed to be -viewed with feelings of strong disgust. - -Wilson and Tidd were placed in the third hackney coach: they went out -laughing; but, previous to their departure, they turned round, and, in -common with all those who had been confined in Cold Bath Fields prison, -begged to return their grateful thanks to Mr. Adkins, the governor, -and to his assistants, for the humane and kind treatment which they -had received while under their care: they also were guarded by two -police-officers. The last who went out were Harrison and Monument. The -latter, whose diminutive size made him appear somewhat ludicrous when -placed beside his gigantic companion, was greatly depressed. These men -were in like manner guarded by two of the Bow-street patrol. The whole -four carriages being now in readiness, and a constable having mounted -each box, the cavalcade set off, completely surrounded by the Horse -Guards. - -They proceeded over Westminster-bridge, and from thence by the -Westminster-road, through the Borough, and over London-bridge, -up Fish-street-hill, down Fenchurch-street, the Minories, across -Trinity-square to the Tower gate; and although followed all the way by -an immense throng, not one expression of commiseration was heard to -escape. - -Ings’s conduct was most daring: he continued to exclaim against His -Majesty’s Ministers with the most undisguised abuse, using language of -the most revolting nature. He either knew, or affected to know, many -persons in the crowd, to whom he nodded, and some of whom gave him a -significant shake of the head in return. - -Thistlewood made no observation: he seemed to be looking anxiously from -the coach window, as if to see if there were any persons passing whom -he could recognise. - -Brunt looked extremely gloomy, but did not say any thing. - -Davidson did not seem at all affected by his situation, and continued -in good humour. - -Wilson and Tidd laughed, and looked out of the coach windows with -apparent indifference; and little Monument seemed to have sunk into a -state of despair: he said he supposed he was not long for this world. - -On reaching the upper gate of the Tower, leading to the armoury, it was -found shut; but, on a regular summons being made, it was opened without -hesitation, and the prisoners and their guards admitted. Notice had -been sent off to the Tower, in the early part of the day, to prepare -rooms for the prisoners, but still it was with some difficulty that -secure apartments could be got in readiness; at last the necessary -accommodations were obtained, and the prisoners were left under the -care of the yeomen of the guard. - -The warrant upon which they were received by the constable of the -Tower, was to the following effect:-- - -“You are hereby required to receive into your custody, Arthur -Thistlewood [then followed the names of the other prisoners] who stand -charged with high treason, and them safely to keep till discharged -by due course of law, for which this shall be your sufficient -authority.”--Then followed the names of the privy-council, commencing -with the Lord Chancellor, Earl Westmoreland, _&c._ - -This warrant was written on a sheet of foolscap paper, with a black -border, and bore the official seal. It was accompanied by a private -note to the constable, containing instructions as to the manner in -which the prisoners were to be treated. - -They were accordingly received by Captain Elrington, the major of the -Tower, who, after some difficulty, from the shortness of the notice -which he had received, succeeded in finding them secure apartments. - -Each prisoner was placed in a separate apartment; two warders armed in -the usual way, with cutlasses and halberds, were placed in each room; -and at each door was stationed a sentinel armed, to whose care was -intrusted the key of the room, with strict orders not to permit more -than one warder to be absent at a time, and that only for occasional -purposes. - -Thistlewood was placed in the prison known by the name of the Bloody -Tower. - -Davidson was in the prison over the waterworks. - -Ings in a different room of the same prison. - -Monument in the prison at the back of the Horse-armory. - -Brunt and Harrison occupied separate apartments in the prison over the -Stone-kitchen. - -Tidd was secured in the Seven-gun Battery prison, and Wilson in the -prison over the parade. - -The prisoners were permitted to have, by the indulgence of the law, -what is called state allowance, for their daily maintenance, which, -to such wretched poverty as theirs, must have made even their awful -situation, as compared with their confinement in Coldbath-fields, a -change for the better. - -The number of warders sufficient to do the ordinary duty of the Tower -is ten; but, as soon as the command for preparing the prisons reached -the proper quarter, directions were given to increase the number of -warders to sixty. - -The iron gate at the east end of the Tower was closed on the arrival of -the prisoners as usual upon such occasions. - -Immediately after the departure of the delinquents charged with the -crime of high treason, from the Secretary of State’s office, Mr. -Adkins, the Keeper of the House of Correction, in Coldbath-fields, -was informed that six of the remaining prisoners were to be consigned -to his custody, namely--Bradburn, Strange, Firth, Gilchrist, Hall, -and Cooper. These men were then brought out, and escorted to -Coldbath-fields prison, under circumstances precisely similar to -those which had attended those who had gone to the Tower. They were -accompanied by Mr. Silvester, a King’s Messenger, to whom the warrant -for their commitment, similar to the one addressed to the Constable of -the Tower, was intrusted, and several officers of the police, and by an -escort of the Life-Guards. - -Mr. Adkins, the Governor of the House of Correction, was asked if he -had got the Coroner’s warrant for the commitment of the men pronounced -by the Coroner’s Jury to have been guilty of the wilful murder of -Smithers? He answered in the negative. No such warrant had been -transmitted to him by Mr. Stirling. A messenger was then despatched to -the coroner, who had omitted to make out the warrant, and he waited -while it was prepared in the usual form. - -Simmonds, the footman, and Preston, were remanded to the custody of -Mr. Nodder, the governor of Tothill-fields prison, and were taken -there in a hackney-coach; and thus ended the final examination of the -conspirators by the Privy-Council. - - -In addition to the gang taken at Cato-street, and the subsequent -arrests which we have already recorded, a young man, named ROBERT -GEORGE, was apprehended, who was with good reason, suspected of being -one of that gang, and whose discovery and apprehension arose out of the -following extraordinary circumstances: - -At the time the coroner’s inquest was sitting on the body of the -murdered Smithers, Perry, the conductor of the patrol, who was then -in attendance, was called out by two soldiers, who informed him, that -on that day they had been informed by a boy, that he had discovered a -depository of fire-arms and deadly weapons in an extraordinary way, -by his having been at play in Chapel-street, Paddington, and losing a -marble behind some building in that street. He went behind the house -of Mr. George, a haberdasher and tailor, in search of the marble, and -seeing in a closet some fire-arms, a sword, _&c._, he mentioned it to -the soldiers. - -Upon this intimation Perry hastened to the spot as soon as possible, -and found a narrow passage leading to the back of Mr. George’s -premises, and also a closet fastened by a staple, situate under a -staircase, which answered the description of the information he had -received where the fire-arms and deadly weapons were deposited. Perry -inquired to whom the closet belonged, and was informed that it belonged -to Mr. George, the tailor and haberdasher. Mrs. George soon appeared, -of whom Perry also inquired how the closet became fastened, when Mrs. -George informed him that she had fastened it in consequence of the wind -blowing it open. He desired her to produce the instrument with which -she had fastened the staple, which, on being produced, resembled a -hammer, and with which she also unfastened it. - -On the door being opened, Perry discovered a musket, a bayonet, a -pistol, sword, powder, and balls. He then inquired if those articles -belonged to them, and the mother denied that they did. The daughter, -who was present during the investigation, wrung her hands, and appeared -greatly distressed. Perry then proceeded into the house, and found -Mr. George employed in his business of a tailor, who also denied any -knowledge of the fire-arms and deadly weapons, and admitted that his -son occupied a house on the opposite side of the street, and might have -deposited the fire-arms, _&c._, in that place. - -On inquiry it was ascertained, that the son had absconded since the -night of the meeting in Cato-street. Perry desired that Mr. George -would attend at the office, and he himself accompanied Mrs. George and -her daughter. On their arrival at the office, they underwent private -examinations before Mr. Birnie, but nothing appeared which could -criminate any of them; but strong suspicions existed that their son, -Robert George, was present at the Cato-street meeting, at the time -Thistlewood murdered Smithers. - -From that time the officers had used every vigilance in endeavouring -to trace him out. Ruthven and Salmon received information of his being -concealed at a house in Goswell-street, whither they repaired, but were -unsuccessful in finding him. They nevertheless had discovered that -his anxiety to leave this country was so great, that he had offered -himself to be engaged in any capacity whatever, in any vessel going -to the East-Indies; they also learned that, having before been a -seafaring man, he had succeeded in engaging himself as a servant on -board an Indiaman; and their exertions were so great, that they gained -intelligence, on which they could rely, that the last place he would -be at, previous to leaving London, would be the Dundee Arms, Wapping, -near the Commercial Road, where they went and waited, having no doubt -but he would be there to start by the boat for Gravesend on Sunday, the -5th of March, from which latter place the Indiamen were to sail on the -following day. They waited there till about seven o’clock, at which -time Robert George entered the house. He inquired for the Gravesend -boat, and was informed that it had sailed a few minutes previous. -On receiving that information, he appeared extremely agitated and -disappointed: he called for some brandy and water, and seated himself. - -During this time Ruthven and Salmon had satisfied themselves beyond a -doubt of his identity, and having had reason to believe that he would -be fully prepared with arms for a desperate resistance, Salmon watched -an opportunity, when he instantly rushed upon him, and, presenting a -pistol to his head, exclaimed, “If you offer to stir, I will fire.” -Ruthven then handcuffed and properly secured him. On searching him -they, however, found that he was not prepared with any arms, and his -luggage consisted only of his clothes. The officers placed him in a -hackney-coach, and lodged him in Covent-garden watch-house. - -During the following day they made diligent inquiry as to the manner in -which he had disposed of his time since his escape from Cato-street, -when they learned that a lodging had been procured for him in -Earl-street, Bricklane. They also traced out his brother, who lived in -that neighbourhood, who denied any knowledge of his place of residence; -but the officers discovered that the brother had actually procured -the said lodging for him, and in his possession they found a large -thick stick, at the bottom of which was a thick iron ferrule, about two -inches long, which was hollow at one end, and appeared calculated to -receive a pike or dagger, which he acknowledged to have received of his -brother George, on his parting with him on Sunday evening, previous to -his entering the Dundee Arms. - -On searching Robert George’s lodgings in Earl-street, they did not -discover any thing of a serious or dangerous nature. The prisoner -underwent a private examination before Mr. Birnie, which was reported -to the Secretary of State’s office for the Home Department; no -orders were, however, sent for his conveyance there, and therefore a -commitment was made out for the prisoner, Robert George, to the House -of Correction, on a charge of high treason, whither he was conveyed in -a hackney-coach, in the custody of Mr. Atkins, the governor of that -prison, Perry, who was originally in the pursuit of him, and one of the -patrol. - - -Before entering on the trial of the notorious ARTHUR THISTLEWOOD, for -the double crime of high treason and murder, for which we have traced -his commitment on the clearest and most satisfactory evidence possible, -we shall present the reader with a brief sketch of his early life, and -some particulars of his conduct after his arrest. - -Thistlewood was a native of Horncastle, in Lincolnshire, and was born -in the year 1770; his father was land-steward to an ancient family in -that neighbourhood; he was placed at an early period of life with an -eminent English school-master, to be educated as a land-surveyor. This -pursuit in life he afterwards declined following, and at the age of -twenty-one became a lieutenant in a militia regiment; soon after this, -he married a young lady, of the name of Bruce, residing near Bawtry, -in Yorkshire, who was possessed of property amounting to 300_l._ per -annum. Thistlewood resigned his commission in the militia, and obtained -another in a marching regiment, with which he went, at the commencement -of the revolutionary war, to the West Indies, where he soon gave up his -commission in it, and afterwards proceeded to America; there he resided -for some time, when he obtained a passport for France, and arrived -there shortly after the downfall of Robespierre. He became initiated -in all the doctrines and sentiments of the French Revolutionists, and -at the peace of Amiens returned to England, when he became acquainted -with the disaffected in his native country; since which his whole life, -it seems, has been spent in seeking opportunities to overthrow its -constitution. - -From the period of his release after his former indictment for high -treason, the Government had taken care to have all his actions watched, -and his movements traced; but even with all this precaution, it is -possible that the diabolical scheme, of which he was evidently the -author and chief mover, would have been carried into effect, had it -not been for the remorse of the man who made the disclosure to Lord -Harrowby. - -One night, during his confinement in Coldbath-fields prison, the -following remarkable occurrence took place in the cell of Thistlewood. -In the course of the evening, Mr. Adkins, the governor, sat with him -a short time, and conversed with him on general topics. He was very -communicative on the subject of the different prisons in which he had -been confined. He spoke of Horsham as being extremely strict, and -observed, that the rules laid down for the management of the prison -were observed to the letter, without any reference to the rank of -the party confined. He gave the preference to the Tower as a place of -incarceration. The usual hour for locking up having arrived, he was -left to the society of his usual companions. He soon retired to rest. -His mind seemed restless, but, after some time, he fell into a profound -sleep--thus he continued awhile, when he became evidently agitated--at -last he exclaimed, with a sort of convulsive shriek, “Ha! I’ve got -you now!” and then, becoming more strangely disturbed, he awoke in a -sort of phrensy: for a moment he did not seem to recollect where he -was; but, on seeing his companions with their eyes fixed upon him, he -affected to laugh, and said, “What strange things one thinks of in -one’s sleep.” He remained awake for a considerable time, and, at length -sunk again into an unquiet slumber. - -On the subject of his arrest he spoke freely before his final -commitment, declaring that he knew the man by whose instrumentality -he was taken, and that he was with him that morning, and was the only -man who knew of his retreat. He added that but for the people in the -house, the patrol who arrested him in White-street, and his brother -officers should have fallen. His companions said, “Why you had no arms; -how could you have effected their destruction?” “Ah!” he replied, “they -thought they were very cunning; but cunning as they were, they were not -cunning enough.” - -This was but a vain boast; for, at the moment the officer seized him, -he was evidently paralized. He shewed no disposition to resist. No arms -were found in the room, with which he could defend himself, and when he -was carried off to Bow-street, six officers were left behind to search -every hole and corner in the house. This they did, and found nothing -to warrant an opinion that he was capable of making a formidable -resistance. - -It is, however, rather a suspicious circumstance, that while the -officers were engaged in securing their prisoner, the landlady, Mrs. -Harris, slipped out, and gave an intimation of what was occurring to -her husband, who was a type-founder in the manufactory of Messrs. -Caslon. From that time he has been “out of the way.” It was ascertained -that he was the manufacturer of all the bullets found upon the -conspirators. A warrant was issued for his apprehension. - -The officers are satisfied that the arms which Thistlewood had in -Cato-street have not been found, and imagine that he deposited them -with some friend. It is a matter of surprise, that in getting rid of -these evidences of his guilt, he should have kept in his possession the -black belt which was seen round his waist in the loft, and which, with -some ball cartridges, was found in his pocket in White-street. - -Up to the time of his last appearance before the Privy-Council, he made -no inquiries respecting his family, but was particular in his questions -as to the persons who had been arrested. Among others, he mentioned the -name of Palin, for whose apprehension a reward of two hundred pounds -had been offered, and again describing in the most minute manner the -person of Brunt, with an evident intention to avoid mentioning his -name, he asked if he was arrested? Upon these heads he received no -satisfactory answer. - -Mrs. Thistlewood is a smart, genteel little woman, dresses well, and -from the first seemed perfectly alive to the situation of her husband, -in whose political sentiments she heartily concurs. On the officers -going to search her lodgings, she did not manifest any of that alarm -which, in a female, might be considered natural. She received them -with calmness, accompanied by a certain air of dignity, and demanded -their authority for searching her premises. Being satisfied on this -head, she permitted the search to be made without further hindrance. -She has a son, who seems a genteel ingenious youth. When she obtained -permission to visit her husband, the interview always took place in -the presence of an officer, and her person was scrupulously searched, -even to the removal of her stays and cap, and these precautions were -continued from first to last. - - -The prisoners all standing fully committed on the clearest and most -satisfactory evidence, the preparations for their trial commenced, -and on the 8th of March the following Special Commission of Oyer and -Terminer was issued by the Crown:-- - - - GEORGE the FOURTH, by the grace of God, of the united kingdom - of Great Britain and Ireland, King, defender of the Faith, - to our most dear cousin, William Henry Duke of Portland; our - well-beloved and faithful Councillors, Sir Charles Abbott, knight, - Chief-Justice, assigned to hold Pleas before us; Sir Robert - Dallas, knight, Chief-Justice of our Court of Common Pleas; Sir - Richard Richards, knight, Chief-Baron of our Court of Exchequer; - our beloved and faithful Sir William Garrow, knight, one of the - Barons of our said Court of Exchequer; Sir William Draper Best, - knight, one of the Justices assigned to hold Pleas before us; Sir - John Richardson, knight, one of the Justices of our said Court - of Common Pleas; Sir John Silvester, baronet; Newman Knowlys, - Francis Const, Charles Bosanquet, Charles Trelawny Brereton, - James Clitherow, James Ferguson, Edmond Alexander Howard, Richard - Paul Joddrell, Samuel Purkis, Thomas Wood, and Peregrine Dealtry, - Esqrs., greeting. - - - +Know ye+ that we have assigned you, and any two or more of - you (of whom one of you, the aforesaid Sir Charles Abbot, Sir - Robert Dallas, Sir Richard Richards, Sir William Garrow, Sir - William Draper Best, and Sir John Richardson, we will shall be - one) our Justices and Commissioners to inquire by the oath of good - and lawful men of our county of Middlesex, of all High Treasons - and misprisions of High Treason, (other than such as relate to - the coin), and of the murder of one Richard Smithers, deceased, - and of any other crime or offence touching the death of the - said Richard Smithers; and of any offence or offences against, - touching, or concerning the persons of Frederick Fitzclarence, - William Legge, James Ellis, John Surman, William Westcoatt, - William Charles Brooks, John Muddock, and Benjamin Gill, or any - of them, contrary to the form of an Act made and passed in the - forty-third year of the reign of our late royal father, King - George the Third, entitled “An Act for the further prevention of - malicious shooting, and attempting to discharge loaded fire-arms, - stabbing, cutting, wounding, poisoning, and the malicious using of - means to procure the miscarriage of women; and also the malicious - setting fire to buildings;” and also for repealing a certain - Act made in England, in the twenty-first year of the late King - James the First, entitled, “An Act to prevent the destroying and - murdering of bastard children;” and also an Act made in Ireland in - the sixth year of the late Queen Anne, also entitled, “An Act to - prevent the destroying and murdering of bastard children, and for - making other provisions in lieu thereof;” and also the accessories - of them, or any of them, within our county aforesaid, as well - within liberties as without, by whomsoever and in what manner - soever done, committed, or perpetrated, when, how, and after what - manner; and of all other articles and circumstances concerning - the premises, and every or any of them, in any manner whatsoever; - and the said treasons and other the premises according to the - laws and customs of England for this time to hear and determine; - and therefore we command you, that at a certain day and place, - which you or any two or more of you (of whom one of you, the said - Sir Charles Abbott, Sir Robert Dallas, Sir Richard Richards, Sir - William Garrow, Sir William Draper Best, and Sir John Richardson, - we will shall be one), shall for this purpose appoint, you make - diligent inquiries into the premises, and that you do hear and - determine all and singular the premises aforesaid, and do cause - to be done therein what to justice appertains, according to the - laws and customs of England; saving to us the amerciaments, and - other things from thence to us accruing. We do also command all - and every our officers, ministers, and subjects, by virtue of - these presents, that they attend, advise, obey, and assist you in - the execution of the premises, in all things as it behoves them. - And we do also command, by these presents, our sheriff of our said - county of Middlesex, that at such certain day and place, as you, - or any two or more of you, (of whom one of you, the aforesaid - Sir Charles Abbott, Sir Robert Dallas, Sir Richard Richards, Sir - William Garrow, Sir William Draper Best, and Sir John Richardson, - we will shall be one), shall make known to him, he do cause to - come before you, or any two or more of you (of whom one of you, - the aforesaid Sir Charles Abbott, Sir Robert Dallas Sir Richard - Richards, Sir William Garrow, Sir William Draper Best, and Sir - John Richardson, we will shall be one), such and so many good - and lawful men of our said county, as well within liberties as - without, by whom the truth of the matter in the premises may be - better known and inquired into. In witness whereof, we have caused - these our letters to be patent. Witness ourself at Westminster, - the eighth day of March, in the first year of our reign. - - BATHURST. - - -Monday, March 27, 1820, was the day appointed for opening the Special -Commission for the trial of the Conspirators engaged in the Cato-street -plot, and the officers of the Crown attended accordingly in the court -at HICKS’S-HALL, at nine o’clock in the morning. The gentlemen who were -summoned on the grand inquest were also in attendance. - -The witnesses for the Crown, about thirty in number, were placed in -a room by themselves, preparatory to their being taken before the -Grand Jury. Those witnesses who themselves stood charged with being -parties to the conspiracy were in separate rooms, under the charge of -constables. Among them were Monument, who, it will be recollected, -was committed to the Tower; and Adams, who remained for some time a -prisoner in St. Martin’s watch-house, but was afterwards committed -to the House of Correction in Cold-bath-fields. This man had been -labouring under severe indisposition ever since his apprehension. - -The pike-handles, guns, pistols, swords, grenades, daggers, ammunition, -and other articles seized on the persons of the prisoners, and in -Cato-street, at Brunt’s lodgings, and elsewhere, were deposited in -the office of the clerk of indictments. When collected together they -presented a formidable appearance. - -At ten o’clock the Attorney and Solicitor-Generals entered the Court, -and took their seat at the barristers’ table. In a few minutes -afterwards Chief-Justice Abbott and Chief-Justice Dallas, together with -Mr. Const, and other magistrates, whose names were mentioned in the -Commission, came upon the bench. - -Proclamation was then made for silence, and the commission was -immediately read by Mr. Dealtry, one of the clerks of the Crown-office. - -The names of the gentlemen summoned on the Grand Jury were then called -over, and the following gentlemen were sworn: - -Job Raikes, esq. -John Stock, esq. -Thomas Milroy, esq. -Robert Batson, esq. -William Hills, esq. -Henry Thomson, esq. -Richard Gibbs, esq. -Thomas Lomet, esq. -James Gordon, esq. -William Anderson, esq. -William Parry, esq. -John Booth, esq. -John H. Pakenham, esq. -John Warren, esq. -George Frederick Young, esq. -Robert Meacock, esq. -Richard Jennings, esq. -James Taylor, esq. -John Johnson, esq. -Francis Douse, esq. -John William Horsley, esq. -William Benning, esq. -Stephen Taylor, esq. - -These gentlemen having been sworn by Charles Abbott, esq. marshal to -the commission, proclamation was made for silence while the charge was -delivered. - -LORD CHIEF-JUSTICE ABBOTT then addressed the Grand Jury in the manner -following: - -“Gentlemen of the Grand Inquest--We are assembled in this place, under -the authority of his Majesty’s Special Commission, issued for the -purpose of inquiring into, hearing, and determining, certain offences -therein particularly mentioned. These offences are, first, all high -treasons, except such as relate to the coin of the realm; secondly, all -misprisions of treason; thirdly, the murder of one Richard Smithers, -deceased, and any other crime or offence touching the death of that -person; and, fourthly, any offences committed against the persons of -Frederick Fitzclarence, George Legg, John Surman, William Westcott, -John Muddock, James Basey, and other persons, or any of them, contrary -to the form of an act made and passed in the forty-third year of -the reign of his late Majesty, for, among other things, the further -prevention of the malicious shooting, maiming, stabbing, or wounding, -any person or persons; and, gentlemen, it has become my duty to offer -to your consideration some remarks on each of these subjects, for your -assistance in the discharge of the important duty which will devolve -upon you when the bills are laid before you. - -“The particular crime of treason to which it would be proper to call -your attention is to be found, 1st, in the ancient statute 25 Edward -III., and 2dly, in a statute passed for very wise purposes in the 36th -year of the reign of his late Majesty. [His Lordship here recited the -enacting clauses of the statutes to which he referred; the first of -which declares it to be high treason to compass and imagine the death -of the King or the Queen, or to levy war against the King within his -realm; and, the second enacts, that if any person, within or without -the realm, compass or imagine the death of the King, or his deposition, -or to do him any bodily harm, such as maiming, wounding, or imprisoning -him, in order by force to compel him to change his measures or counsels -of government, any persons so offending shall be guilty of high -treason.] - -“You will observe, gentlemen, that in each of the description of -offences that I have enumerated, except the levying of war, which -is in the ancient statute that I have alluded to, the words are, -“imagination and intention,” which are words of the same meaning, -and the actual perpetration of the crime is not mentioned. But it is -further required by an ancient statute, that the party accused shall -be provably attainted; and by a latter statute it is mentioned, that -if the party shall express, utter, or declare his intention by any -printing or writing, that is an overt act of such intention. The law -has wisely provided for the public safety, that in cases of this -kind, which involve the most extensive public mischief, the intention -shall be adjudged the crime; but, at the same time, for the safety -of the individual charged, it is required that such intention shall -be manifested by some act tending towards the accomplishment of the -criminal object charged. - -“It may be proper to mention, that, before the passing of a late -statute, it was settled by several cases, and the opinions of the first -text writers, that all attempts to depose the king from his royal -state, to restrain his person, or to levy war against him, were high -treason; and all conspiracies, consultations, and agreements for those -purposes, were overt acts of compassing and imagining the death of -the king. By the late statute, all these things are made substantive -treasons, and thereby the law is made more clear to those who are -bound to obey it, and to those who may be engaged in the administration -of it. - -“It may be also proper to remark, that all the pomp and circumstances -of military array are not necessary to the first levying of war. -Insurrections for the purpose of accomplishing the designs I have -mentioned to you by force, however ill arranged, if they are to -accomplish an innovation in public affairs, in which the parties -have no special or particular interest, are an actual levying of -war. Rebellion at its first commencement is rarely found in military -discipline or array, although a little success may soon lead it to -assume those appearances. Any act manifesting a criminal intention, and -tending towards the accomplishment of the criminal object, is, in the -language of the law, an overt act. Overt acts may be committed openly -and manifestly; but there are other overt acts, such as meetings and -consultations, and contrivances, agreements and promises of mutual -support and assistance, and incitements to others to engage in the -same scheme, are also overt acts. Assenting to the designed purpose, -assisting in the preparation of weapons, or any other thing necessary -to the general design, are all overt acts of the particular kind of -treason, of the particular compassing and imagination to which they may -happen to apply; and in this crime of high treason the law acknowledges -no accessories,--all are principals. All who participate in the -design and object, whether they enter into them early or late, are -equally guilty; for it will be found in conspiracies of a treasonable -nature, as well as all other conspiracies, that each is engaged in -accomplishing some particular object, which is a part of the general -design. Some are more zealous and ardent, others are more close and -reserved; but, as they are all acting in pursuance of the same view and -object, all are equally guilty. Overt acts are most important matters -for your investigation. It is necessary that the proof be set forth -in the indictment, in order that the accused may be prepared for his -defence; but it is not necessary that all the circumstances of proof -should be detailed. It is also required, in cases of high treason, that -there should be two witnesses to the overt acts. It is not necessary -that there should be two witnesses to every overt act; but if there -be one witness to one overt act, and another to another, that is -sufficient. Some one overt act must be proved to have taken place in -the county in which the trial takes place, as in the present case, in -Middlesex. - -“Having said thus much upon the law, as it applies to high treason, -I shall now address myself to the cases likely to be brought before -you, in order that you may apply that law. But in any thing I may say, -with reference to the inquiry in which you are likely to be engaged, I -request you will consider it all as supposition. - -“It has been supposed that a conspiracy was formed to assassinate -certain persons engaged in the administration of the government of -the country, when they were assembled at a dinner at the house of -one of them, on February 23d: and it is supposed that a treasonable -hostility to the government dictated that act, for the abolition of -that government would follow this assassination. In furtherance of -this design, seven persons were found almost in the act of immediate -preparation, in a stable, with arms and offensive weapons, suitable -to the accomplishment of such a traitorous purpose. Those persons, -when attempted to be arrested by the peace-officers and the military, -in their endeavours to escape, which many of them effected, killed -one Richard Smithers. Pistols were discharged--weapons of death were -used--and some or all of the persons named were wounded. - -“Of these matters all of you have, no doubt, read and heard; therefore -I take the liberty most earnestly to entreat you to confine your -attention to the evidence laid before you, and to banish from your -minds such information as you may have previously received as to the -motive or object of this supposed conspiracy, or as to the conduct of -the particular individuals supposed to be engaged in it. - -“I should tell you that a conspiracy to murder public persons, however -important their situations may be, if arising from private malice, -and not intended to bring about any other object, does not constitute -the crime of high treason. But if the assassination of such persons -is meant as the first step of a general design to attack and destroy -by force the government of the country, or to compel the sovereign to -adopt such measures as they may think fit, then that assassination -assumes a different complexion, and may be considered an overt act -of one or both of those species of treason which I have mentioned. -If, therefore, a conspiracy to take away the lives of his Majesty’s -ministers should be proved, you will look to the object about to be -obtained by that assassination, and also to the number and rank of the -persons intended to be assassinated; for the crime increases not only -with the number of the conspirators, but with the number of the persons -intended to be assassinated. - -“It is, indeed, difficult to conceive that persons could from private -malice alone, and without having a public object in view, conspire -together to assassinate a number of individuals of whom they could have -no knowledge but from the public situations which they filled. But the -difficulty of the supposition must not supply the place of evidence. We -well know that all attempts to subvert the government of this country -must, in the calm and sober eye of reason, appear wild and hopeless; -but you will consider that the mad persons who indulge such views are -led to diminish the difficulties and to magnify the success and the -benefit attending their schemes. It is natural for the vicious to think -that there are others as wicked as themselves, and that they shall -gain numerous adherents if they succeed in their first attempt. It is -this belief that often leads them to a premature disclosure of their -purposes to those whom they think likely to participate in their guilt, -and that thus furnishes evidence of their dangerous designs; but dark -and deep designs are seldom developed but through those who have joined -in them. The evidence of accomplices, however, is always to be received -with caution, and the conviction arising from such evidence should rest -on circumstances of credibility rather than on the personal characters -of the witnesses themselves. If such testimony were on all occasions -to be rejected, one of the greatest securities to the honest part of -society would be annihilated--namely, the want of mutual confidence in -those engaged in wicked schemes. - -“The next subject which is likely to come under your observation is -misprision of treason, which consists in the concealment of treason, -when it is within the knowledge of the parties by whom it might be -divulged, and whose duty it would be to go before the first magistrate, -and make known the evil purposes which they know to be contemplated. - -“The third subject to which your attention may be directed is the -murder of Richard Smithers, and any other offence touching the death of -that person, who lost his life on the occasion of the attempt made to -arrest those persons now in custody. It will be material to take into -your consideration the place, the time, and the circumstances, where, -when, and under which, that attempt to arrest them was made. - -“The caution required by law as to the conduct of officers of -justice in apprehending persons charged with crimes applies only to -a dwelling-house whereof the doors are not open, and that caution -is confined to a dwelling-house alone. All other buildings or places -of meeting may be lawfully opened and entered for the apprehension -of persons charged with crimes against the law, without any previous -notification made. And when those officers have declared the character -in which they appear, the persons within are bound to yield themselves -in the same manner as if they had been met in the fields, or in the -open street; and if any of these officers be killed when the arrest -would have been lawful, then the party by whom the death-wound is -inflicted becomes guilty of the crime of murder. The arrest of persons -under the authority of a warrant from the magistrates is a lawful -arrest. So also is the arrest by peace-officers, without a warrant, -of persons supposed or reasonably alleged to have committed felony. -So also is an arrest by peace-officers, without a warrant, of persons -actually engaged in any breach of the peace, or of persons assembled -and arming, or otherwise preparing for the immediate perpetration -of murder; because such an assembly and such a perpetration are in -themselves criminal, and the arrest is actually necessary for the -prevention of the accomplishment of a still more heinous design. I -mention this, because the case likely to be submitted to you may fall -within these observations. The persons required to surrender to the -officers of the peace, though they may not be authorized to arrest -them, are not warranted in assaulting those officers with deadly -weapons, without warning them to stand off; and if they do, and death -ensue, they all subject themselves to punishment for the crime of -murder--at all events, they would be guilty of man-slaughter. - -“In speaking of those guilty of murder, you will bear in mind that all -who unite in resistance, and use words manifesting that determination, -are equally guilty with him who inflicts the death-wound. - -“Gentlemen, having said so much upon the third head of your inquiry, -very little remains to be said of the fourth. This comprises all -offences committed on the person of F. Fitzclarence, and the others -maimed, contrary to the 43d of the late king, the title of which is set -forth. You will therefore see that the jurisdiction does not extend -to all offences committed against these persons, but only such as are -contrary to the statute I have just mentioned to you. That statute is -the fifty-eighth chapter of the 43d of his late majesty; and as no -doubt it has been brought under the view of many of you, I need not -enter fully into it. The provisions of this act are--‘That it is a -capital felony for any person to shoot at, or wilfully to present and -point loaded fire-arms at, and attempt, by drawing the trigger, to -discharge the same at any of his majesty’s subjects, and also wilfully -and maliciously to stab or cut, with intent to murder, rob, maim, -or disfigure any of his subjects, or to do them any grievous bodily -harm.’ There is an express provision in this statute which enacts, that -these offences must be committed under such circumstances as that, -if the attempt succeeded in depriving a fellow-creature of life, it -would be murder. Now, if such an attempt be made in the open street, -which probably is a case that may be brought before you, there can be -no question of a malicious design to murder, or to do some grievous -bodily harm. As, however, no case is likely to come before you falling -within the excepting provision of the statute, I forbear to trouble you -with any further observations, being well aware, that in this case, -as well as in every other, the best security for the due discharge -of the important trust reposed in you will be found in your own good -sense, your own sound discretion, and your own general knowledge. -If, however, in the progress of your investigation any unexpected -difficulty shall arise, the Court will be found ready to give you such -further advice as you may require. - -“Having detained you thus long, with such observations as I have -thought necessary, I now dismiss you to the discharge of that important -duty for the execution of which you are assembled.” - -At the conclusion of his Lordship’s address, the Jury retired to their -room, and proceeded to examine witnesses upon the indictments which -were preferred before them. The Judges continued sitting in Court for -upwards of an hour, when the foreman and a few other members of the -Grand Jury returned, and an arrangement was made that their Lordships -should resume their seats at twelve o’clock, and that the Grand Jury -were to assemble at ten o’clock. - -On this occasion, the following witnesses were in attendance:--The -Right Hon. Nicholas Vansittart, R. Baker, Esq., R. Birnie, Esq., -Captain Fitzclarence; Monument and Adams (in custody); Ruthven, Ellis, -Westcott, Lee, Brooks, Surman, Wright, Taunton, Bishop, and Gill -(officers); Serjeant Legge, John Muddock, Jonathan Curtis, Joseph -Basey, Joseph Rivell, and Joseph Edgar (soldiers); Joseph Hall, Thomas -Droyer, Thomas Hiden, Joseph Harry Price, Emanuel Francis, James -Pocock, James Munday, Richard Munday, George Paylock, Mary Rogers, -Eleanor Walker, _&c._ - -Soon after twelve o’clock the Judges left the Court; and at half -past twelve the Grand Jury, having then been a considerable time in -deliberation, proceeded with the examination of witnesses. - -Mr. BOUCHIER, one of the solicitors to the Treasury, was the first -witness examined: he was only a few minutes before the Jury. - -ROBERT ADAMS, the ex-Oxford Blue, and an accomplice of the -conspirators, was next called. He was brought from the House of -Correction, where he had been in confinement since the final -examination of the conspirators before the Privy-Council, in the -custody of Mr. Adkins, the Governor, and the principal turnkey. He was -three hours under examination. He appeared perfectly cool and collected -when he came from the Grand Jury Room. After his examination he was -taken back in custody to the Cold-Bath-fields Prison. - -The Right Hon. NICHOLAS VANSITTART, Chancellor of the Exchequer, -was the third witness. The Right Hon. gentleman, together with -CAPTAIN FITZCLARENCE, and other witnesses of the superior order, was -accommodated with a private room, while waiting the summons of the -Grand Jury. He was not more than ten minutes under examination. - -JOSEPH BAKER, servant to the Earl of Harrowby, and fourteen other -witnesses, were then examined in succession. Amongst them was - -JOHN MONUMENT, one of the eight committed to the Tower on the charge -of high treason. He was brought from the Tower in the custody of two -Yeomen of the Guard, and several officers, and was kept in a private -room, attended only by the Yeomen, with their swords drawn, during the -day. He seemed very uneasy, and continued pacing the room about the -whole time that he remained there. He appeared pale and dejected, and -by no means a willing witness. After his examination, which lasted -nearly an hour, he was conducted back to the Tower in the same custody. - -There were several women among the persons examined. They were of -respectable appearance. Two boys were also called. - -Captain Fitzclarence was the last witness called, and at six o’clock -the Grand Jury adjourned until nine o’clock on the following morning. - -Tuesday the 28th of March, the court again met, pursuant to -adjournment, and soon after twelve o’clock, the Chief-Justices of the -King’s Bench and the Common Pleas, and the Attorney and Solicitor -Generals, took their respective seats. - -At half-past two o’clock, the Grand Jury, having gone through the -examination of the whole of the witnesses, entered with true bills -for high treason against Arthur Thistlewood, William Davidson, James -Ings, J. T. Brunt, Richard Tidd, J. W. Wilson, John Harrison, Richard -Bradburn, James Shaw Strange, James Gilchrist, and Richard Charles -Cooper. - -The bills for high treason against Abel Hall and Robert George, were -ignored. - -The Lord Chief Justice then expressed to the Attorney-General his -wish that the persons against whom true bills had been found might -have intimation, without the trouble of coming into court, that -their attorneys and counsel would have ready access to them. The -Attorney-General promised that every facility should be given to the -communication with their legal advisers. - -On the following day the court assembled a third time to inquire into -the murder of Smithers, and divers acts of felony alleged to have -been committed by the prisoners; accordingly at twelve o’clock the -Lord Chief Justice of the King’s Bench took his seat in Court. The -Solicitor-General attended for the Crown. - -The Grand Jury immediately entered, and delivered several bills to the -clerk, who read as follows:-- - -True bills for murder against Arthur Thistlewood, John Thomas Brunt, -Richard Tidd, James William Wilson, John Harrison and James Shaw -Strange. - -No bills for murder against William Davidson, James Ings, Richard -Bradburn, James Gilchrist, Abel Hall, and Richard Charles Cooper. - -True bills for felony against James Ings, Richard Tidd, James William -Wilson, and Arthur Thistlewood. - -The Foreman stated, that there was no other bill before them. - -The Solicitor-General said, that it was not intended to prefer any more -bills at present. - -The Court was then adjourned by direction of the Lord-Chief Justice -till the 13th day of April then next ensuing, at half-past 9 in the -morning. - -A material omission occurred in the bills of indictment preferred -before this Grand Jury, assembled under the Special Commissions, with -regard to _Davidson_, the man of colour, who, on the night of the -capture of the conspirators, was standing sentry at the entrance to the -place of meeting, armed with a carbine, and sword of immense length, -and in resisting the attempt of the officers to take him into custody, -discharged his carbine at one of them. In preferring the bills against -the prisoners for the several offences with which they were charged, -this circumstance was overlooked, and it was not recollected, till -Wednesday the 19th of April. An order was consequently given on that -evening by Mr. Maule, the solicitor to the Treasury, to Ruthven, Ellis, -Gill (the man shot at), and other witnesses, to attend before the -Middlesex Grand Jury, at Clerkenwell, on the following day, and to take -with them the arms taken from Davidson. They attended accordingly, the -bill of indictment was preferred, and a true bill found against William -Davidson, for feloniously shooting at Gill, with intent to kill, &c. -Only three witnesses were called. The bill was preferred before the -Grand Jury summoned to dispose of the ordinary Sessions business, and -not that which had assembled under the Special Commission. - -On Monday the 3d of April, copies of the indictments, with lists of the -jurors and of the witnesses to be produced on the trial, were delivered -to each of the prisoners in their respective places of confinement. - -The LIST of the JURORS contained the names of 227 freeholders of the -county of Middlesex, resident in the different parishes, many of them -at a considerable distance from the metropolis. - -The INDICTMENT contained four counts, on each of which certain overt -acts were charged, manifesting and proving the acts of treason set -forth. The following is an abstract of the Indictment. - - - _The King against Arthur Thistlewood, William Davidson, James - Ings, John Thomas Brunt, Richard Tidd, James William Wilson, John - Harrison, Richard Bradburn, John Shaw Strange, James Gilchrist, - and Charles Cooper._ - - -FIRST COUNT. - -That they did compass, imagine, invent, devise, and intend to deprive -and depose our said Lord the King of and from the style, honour, and -kingly name of the imperial crown of this realm. - - _First overt act._--That they did assemble, meet, conspire, and - consult to devise, arrange, and mature plans and means to subvert - and destroy the constitution and government of this realm, as by - law established. - - _Second overt act._--That they did conspire to stir up, raise, - make, and levy insurrection, rebellion, and war against our said - Lord the King within this realm, and to subvert and destroy the - constitution and government of this realm, as by law established. - - _Third overt act._--That they did conspire to assassinate, kill, - and murder divers of the Privy-Council of our said Lord the King, - employed in the administration. - - _Fourth overt act._--That they did procure, provide, and have - divers large quantities of arms, in order to assassinate divers of - the Privy-Council. - - _Fifth overt act._--That they did procure, provide, and have arms, - with intent therewith to arm themselves and other false traitors, - in order to raise, make, and levy insurrection, rebellion, and war. - - _Sixth overt act._--That they did conspire, consult and agree to - seize and take possession of divers cannon, with intent to arm - themselves and other false traitors, in order to make war against - the King, and destroy the constitution. - - _Seventh overt act._--That they did conspire to set fire to, - burn and destroy divers houses and buildings in and in the - neighbourhood of London, and divers barracks, and to provide - combustibles and materials for the purpose. - - _Eighth overt act._--That they did compose and prepare, and - cause and procure to be composed and prepared, divers addresses, - proclamations, declarations, and writings, containing therein - solicitations, and incitements to the liege subjects of our - said Lord the King, to aid and assist in making and levying - insurrection, rebellion, and war, against our said Lord the - King, within this realm, and in subverting and destroying the - constitution and government of this realm, as by law established. - - _Ninth overt act._--That they did compose and prepare, and cause - and procure to be composed and prepared, a certain paper writing, - purporting to be an address to the liege subjects of our said Lord - the King, containing therein that their tyrants were destroyed, - and that the friends of liberty were called upon to come forward, - as the provisional government was then sitting, with intent to - publish the same, and thereby to solicit and excite the liege - subjects of our said Lord the King to aid and assist in making and - levying insurrection, rebellion, and war against the King, and in - subverting and destroying the constitution and government. - - _Tenth overt act._--That they did assemble themselves, with - arms, with intent to assassinate, kill, and murder divers of - the Privy-Council, and to raise, make, and levy insurrection, - rebellion, and war against our said Lord the King, and to subvert - and destroy the constitution and government of this realm. - - _Eleventh overt act._--That they, armed and arrayed in a warlike - manner, did ordain, prepare, levy and make public war against the - King. - - -SECOND COUNT. - -That they did compass, imagine, and intend to move and excite -insurrection, rebellion, and war against the King, within this realm, -and to subvert and alter the legislature, rule, and government, and to -bring and put the King to death. - - _First overt act._--Same as in the first count, with the addition - of “and to deprive and depose our said Lord the King of and from - the style, honour, and kingly name of the imperial crown of this - realm.” - - _Second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, - tenth, and eleventh overt acts_, same as in the first count. - - -THIRD COUNT. - -That they did compass, imagine, and invent to move, and intend to levy -war against the King, in order by force and constraint to compel him to -change his measures and councils. - - _First overt act._--That they did assemble, meet, conspire and - consult to devise, arrange, and mature plans and means, by force - and constraint, to compel the King to change his measures and - councils. - - _Second overt act._--Same as in the first count only leaving out - the conclusion, “and to subvert,” &c. - - _Third and Fourth overt acts._--Same as in the first count. - - _Fifth and Sixth overt acts._--Same as in the first count, - omitting as before, “and to subvert,” &c. - - _Seventh overt act._--Same as in the first count. - - _Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth overt acts._--Same as in the eighth, - tenth, and eleventh overt acts in the first count, omitting at the - end of the eighth and ninth as before, “and to subvert,” &c. - - -FOURTH COUNT. - -That they did levy and make war against the King, and endeavour by -force and arms, to subvert and destroy the constitution and government -of this realm, and to deprive and depose the King of the crown. - - -The following is the LIST OF WITNESSES, containing 162 names, and -amongst them some of the most distinguished Members of Administration, -the Police Magistrates and Officers, the Soldiers employed in the -arrest, many women, boys, &c. - -Adams, Robert, cordwainer, an accomplice, in custody -Alderson, Leonard, Antelope-gardens, Holywell-mount, cordwainer -Aldous, James, Berwick-street, pawnbroker -Avis, George, Bow-street patrol -Adkins, William, governor of the House of Correction, Coldbath fields -Bathurst, Right Honourable Charles -Baker, John, servant to the Earl of Harrowby -Baker, Robert, Esq. Justice of the Peace, Bow-street -Baker, Gabriel, yeoman, warder of the Tower -Baldwin, William H. shopman to Mr. Colnaghi, printseller, Cockspur-street -Barrow, William, chair-maker. -Basey, James, soldier, 2d regiment coldstream guards -Bishop, Daniel, officer, Bow-street -Bissex, Charles, watchman -Birnie, Richard, Esq., Bow-street office -Brind, Joseph, servant to J. Saunders, St. John-street, Clerkenwell -Brooks, William Charles, Bow-street patrol -Bourchier, Charles, Esq., assistant solicitor, Treasury -Bulmer, John, warder of the Tower -Bubb, Thomas, watchman -Bamford, John, captain and adjutant of the London and Westminster - Light Horse Volunteers -Buller, James, Esq., one of the clerks of his Majesty’s most - honourable Privy-Council -Brand, George, turnkey of the House of Correction -Brand, Henry, ditto -Castlereagh, Viscount -Carr, Thomas, cordwainer -Carter, Robert, yeoman, warder of the Tower -Caylock, George, Cato-street, blacksmith -Champion, Joseph, Bow-street patrol -Chapman, Robert, ditto -Chetwynd, Richard, Viscount, one of the Clerks of his Majesty’s - most honourable Privy-Council -Claddis, Stephen, yeoman, warder of the Tower -Clark, John, ditto -Clark, William, ditto -Clark, Thomas, Great York-mews, Portman-square, tailor -Cooper, William, warder of the tower -Curtis, Jonathan, soldier, 2d coldstream guards -Cygrove, John, ditto -Davy, John, Parker-street, Drury-lane, wheelwright -Davies, Jeremiah, warder of the Tower -Davies, H. servant to the Earl of Ailesbury, Grosvenor-square -Davison, Thomas, printer, Duke-street, West Smithfield -Denne, George, yeoman, warder of the Tower -Devisme, Gerard, Esq., Bryanstone-street, merchant -Dobson, Jonathan, Silver-street, Clerkenwell, dealer in old iron -Dobson, Esther, wife of the above -Dwyer, Thomas, Gee’s-court, Oxford-street, bricklayer -East, James, warder of the Tower -East, Richard, ditto -East, Robert, White-street, Moorfields, letter-caster -Edwards, George, Ranelagh-place, modeller -Edgar, James, soldier, 2d coldstream guards -Ellis, James, Bow-street patrol -Farrell, Thomas, Duke-street, Lincoln’s-inn-fields, green grocer -Fitzclarence, Frederick, ensign, 2d coldstream guards -Flanagan, Patrick, St. Giles’s, watchman -Fletcher, William, warder of the Tower -Ford, William, Mount-street, Lambeth, cordwainer -Francis, Emanuel, Southampton-mews, Marylebone, labourer -Fryer, William, warder of the Tower -Gill, Benjamin George, Bow-street patrol -Gillan, Henry, servant to Mr. Whittle, apothecary, Mount-street, - Grosvenor-square -Gould, Mary, Adam’s-mews, Grosvenor-square, wife of George Gould, - victualler -Gould, Elizabeth, Stanhope-st. wife of Robert Gould, victualler. -Gibbs, William, Bow-street patrol -Harrowby, Dudley, Earl of, Lord President of his Majesty’s - most honourable Privy-Council -Hale, Joseph, apprentice to John Thomas Brunt, boot-closer -Hanson, Edward, sergeant of artillery, Tower -Harknett, John, Clement’s-inn, labourer -Harrell, James, Lamb’s Chapel-court, Monkwell-st., cordwainer -Hatton, Thomas, warder of the Tower -Hayward, Joseph, Long-alley, Moorfields, cordwainer -Hiden, Thomas, Manchester-mews, milkman -Hoare, Mary, Great Wild-street, spinster -Hobbs, John, White Hart-yard, Brook’s-market, victualler -Hobhouse, Henry, Esq., one of his Majesty’s Under Secretaries of State -Howard, George, Fox-court, Grays-inn-lane, cordwainer -Humphrey, William, warder of the Tower -Humphreys, Samuel, Radnor-street, St. Luke’s, iron-founder -Inglis, James, soldier, 2d regiment coldstream guards -Jennings, Thomas, New Compton-street, carver and gilder -Isaacs, Jane, Cato-street, spinster -Keyes, Thomas, Frith-street, Soho, victualler -Keyes, Thomas, the elder, gent., same place -Knowles, Walter, warder of the Tower -Lane, John, gent., gaoler of the Tower -Lavender, Stephen, officer, Bow-street -Lee, William, patrol, Bow-street -Leeson, John, warder of the Tower -Legg, William, serjeant 2d regiment coldstream guards -Litchfield Elijah, Clerk of the office of solicitor of the treasury -Lawson, Edward, Brown’s-lane, Spitalfields, currier -Lott, James, sergeant 2d regiment coldstream guards -Main, Thomas, warder of the Tower -M’Carthy, Anne, Gray’s-buildings, Manchester-square, wife of - James M’Carthy, labourer -Mansfield, John, servant, to ensign Fitzclarence -Maule, George, Esq. solicitor to the treasury -Miles, Thomas, warder of the Tower -Moay, Giles, Franklin, Marylebone, watchman -Monument, Thomas, Garden-court, Gray’s-inn-lane, cordwainer -Monument, John, an accomplice, prisoner in the Tower -Morris, Thomas, warder of the Tower -Muddock, John, soldier in the 2d regiment coldstream guards -Munday, Richard, Cato-street, labourer -Munday, James, same place, labourer, son of the above -Maidment, Jeremiah, constable, Bow-street -Morison, John Hector, Drury-lane, cutler -Morris, Stephen, turnkey, House of Correction -Nixon, Luke, patrol, Bow-street -Palmerston, Henry John, Viscount, secretary at war -Pargiter, Henry, messenger to the solicitor to the treasury -Pocock, J. Tunbridge-row, Lord’s Cricket-ground, whitesmith -Poulson, Jonathan, servant to the Lord Archbishop of York -Powell, John, warder of the Tower -Pratt, Edward, Fox-place, Lord’s Cricket-ground, smith -Price, J. H. Kendal’s-mews, Blandford-street, brassworker -Privatt, Mary, Vine-yard, Southwark, char-woman -Phillips, Henry, Pleasant-row, Lord’s Cricket-ground, labourer -Raven, Henry Baldwin, clerk to the solicitor to the treasury -Read, William, officer, Hatton-garden -Revell, James, soldier, 2d regiment coldstream guards -Ridsdale, William, waiter, Peele’s coffee-house -Rochfort, George, Little Park-lane, Regent’s-park, watchman -Rogers, Mary, Fox-court, Gray’s-inn-lane, chandler’s-shop keeper -Rogers, George, warder of the Tower -Ruthven, George Thomas Joseph, officer, Bow-street -Sallibanks, William, Holly-row, Lord’s Cricket-ground, carpenter -Salmon, William Joseph, Seymour-place, Marylebone, tailor -Salmon, William, officer, Bow-street -Saxelby, warder of the Tower -Sheppard, Robert, ditto -Shephard, Sarah, Great Wild-street, victualler -Simpson, Edward, corporal-major, 2d regiment life-guards -Smart, Thomas, Wood-street, Westminster, watchmaker -Smith, Augustus, Swan and Horse-shoe public house, Little Britain, - plumber and glazier -Spooner, Ralph, servant to Armstrong and Co. Leather-lane -Stafford, John, chief clerk, Bow-street -Strickland, James, corporal 2d regiment coldstream guards -Surman, John, patrol, Bow-street -Sutch, William, John-street, Grosvenor-mews, cordwainer -Smith, John Clark, John-street, West, Edgware-road, victualler -Taunton, Samuel H., officer, Bow-street -Taylor, Sarah, Warwick-street, Golden-square, printseller -Thompson, Abraham, warder of the Tower -Tomlin, William, Gray’s-inn-lane, victualler -Townshend, John, patrol, Bow-street -Vansittart, Nicholas, (the Right Hon.) chancellor and under-treasurer - of his Majesty’s exchequer -Valentine, Benjamin, William, officer, Marlborough-street -Underwood, William, warder of the Tower -Wales, John, officer, Marlborough-street -Walker, James, Gun-street, Old Artillery-ground, coffee-house keeper -Walker, Eleanor, spinster, servant to Henry Rogers, Fox-court, - Gray’s Inn-lane -Weeden, James, Edgeware-road, oil and colour-man -Welford, John, South-street, Park-lane, clerk to James Denew, - auctioneer and appraiser -Westcott, William, patrol, Bow-street -Wood, Robert, Elliot’s-row, Lord’s Cricket-ground, tinman -Woodward, John, High-street, Islington, cordwainer -Wright, John, patrol, Bow-street -Wheeler, Henry, turnkey, House of Correction -Weston, Elizabeth, Cato-street, wife of Edward Weston, plumber - and glazier. - -In addition to the copy of the indictment, and lists of jurors and -witnesses, the prisoners received each of them the following notice -from the Solicitor to the Treasury:-- - - - “The King _v._ Arthur Thistlewood, Wm. Davidson, James Ings, - John Thomas Brunt, Richard Tidd, Jas. Wm. Wilson, John Harrison, - Richard Bradburn, John Shaw Strange, James Gilchrist, and Charles - Cooper, for high treason. - - “You are hereby required to produce, upon the trial of this - indictment, certain paper writings, written or prepared, or caused - to be written or prepared by you, or some or one of you, on or - about the 23d day of February last, each of these purporting to - be an address to the people of this kingdom, stating therein that - their tyrants were destroyed, and that the friends of liberty were - called on to come forward, as the provisional government was then - sitting, or to the like purport or effect; and also a certain - other writing, written or prepared, or caused to be written or - prepared by you, or some or one of you, purporting to be an - address to the soldiers, soliciting them to join the friends of - liberty, and that they should have their discharge, * * * * * and - full pay for life, and twenty pounds to take them to their homes, - or to the like purport or effect; and also all other addresses and - proclamations whatsoever, written or prepared, or caused to be - written or prepared, by you, or any of you, between the 1st day of - January, and the 24th day of February last. - - “Dated this 8th day of March, 1820. - - “GEO. MAULE, Solicitor for the Prosecution. - - “To the above-named Arthur Thistlewood, &c., and to each and every - of them.” - - -The reason for the service of the above notice was as follows: It was -supposed that the accomplices who had become king’s evidence, would, -in their examination as witnesses, state, that such an address as that -referred to in the notice was prepared and in the possession of some -of the defendants; and as the prosecutors would not, according to the -rules of evidence, be allowed to give verbal testimony of the contents -of the address without previously giving notice to the defendants to -produce the original, the Crown Solicitor served them all with notice. - - -On the 13th of April, Mr. Sheriff Rothwell received a summons from the -office of the Secretary of State for the Home Department, requiring -his presence at Whitehall, to make the necessary arrangements for the -removal of the state prisoners in the Tower to Newgate. The Sheriff, -accompanied by Mr. Under-Sheriff Turner, immediately proceeded to the -Home-office, where they were introduced to Lord Sidmouth. - -The mode of conveying the prisoners having been decided upon, Lord -Sidmouth delivered to Sheriff Rothwell a writ, empowering him to -receive into his custody, from the Warder of the Tower of London, the -bodies of _Arthur Thistlewood_, _William Davidson_, _James Ings_, -_John Thomas Brunt_, _Richard Tidd_, _James William Wilson_, and _John -Harrison_, charged with high treason. His Lordship at the same time -intimated that a military force would be in attendance, to guard the -prisoners to their place of destination. - -In consequence of the plan adopted, on the morning of the 14th, as -early as half-past six o’clock, Mr. Sheriff Rothwell, Mr. Under-Sheriff -Turner, Mr. Under-Sheriff Pullen, Mr. Brown (gaoler of Newgate,) Mr. -Wontner, (the Chief City Marshal,) and Mr. Brown, (the Deputy Marshal,) -arrived at the Tower, and were immediately introduced to the resident -Governor, Major J. H. Elrington, who had been apprized of their coming, -and had given directions to the Warders to have their prisoners in -readiness. A numerous detachment of the Life Guards soon afterwards -arrived at the fortress, and these were followed by a strong party of -Bow-street officers, in seven carriages, which were engaged for the -occasion. - -At seven o’clock, every thing being in readiness, directions were given -to the Warders to bring forth their prisoners. The prisoners were then -conducted separately from their respective places of confinement, -between two Warders, into the Court-yard, where they were delivered -to the officers in waiting, by whom they were handcuffed. While the -handcuffs were being placed on Thistlewood he was greatly agitated, and -trembled exceedingly. - -Their names were called over from the writ, and Mr. Brown, the gaoler -of Newgate, was thus enabled to recognize their persons. They were -all perfectly silent until about to depart, when they expressed their -thanks to the Warder for the humane attention which they had received. - -The whole being now assembled, they were marched, each between two -Bow-street officers, to the Fosse-gate, beyond which the carriages had -been drawn up. Thistlewood was placed in the first carriage, and was -joined by three police officers. The remaining prisoners were each -placed in a separate carriage, and each attended by three Bow-street -officers. They were accompanied by a troop of Life Guards, and -proceeded in a direct course to Newgate prison. - -The carriages were flanked on each side by Horse Guards in single file. -Notwithstanding the early hour of the morning, and the secrecy with -which the removal was so prudently conducted, as the carriages issued -from the Tower gates, an immense throng had assembled to witness their -departure. - -In the gaol of Newgate, the Marshal’s men, and a large body of -constables, were assembled at seven o’clock, for the purpose of -preserving order; and when, at twenty minutes before eight, it was -announced that the prisoners were approaching, they sallied forth and -formed a half-moon in front of the felons’ door. In a few seconds -afterwards, the Horse Guards turned the corner of the Old Bailey, and -rode up to the prison. - -Mr. Sheriff Rothwell, and the Under-Sheriff, drove up to the private -door of Mr. Brown’s house, and obtained admission to the gaol by that -means. The prisoners alighted at the felons’ door, and were received -by the chief turnkey. Thistlewood as he went up the steps, appeared -greatly dejected; as did Ings, Tidd, and Brunt. Davidson, Harrison, and -Wilson, seemed to maintain their confidence. - -The prisoners were ultimately conducted to the cells which had been -previously prepared for their reception; and the whole being thus -safely delivered to the proper authorities, the Horse Guards rode off -to their quarters. - -Thistlewood was placed in a small but comfortable cell by himself, -having a fire and other accommodations. In the day-time an officer was -constantly present with him; and at night two were kept on guard. - -The other six prisoners brought from the Tower were placed altogether, -and had the accommodation of a large yard on the north side of the -prison, in which they were allowed to take the air. With them also one -officer in the day-time, and two at night, were always present. - -At three o’clock in the afternoon the four prisoners confined in the -House of Correction, likewise arrived at Newgate, without any military -escort. They were brought in two carriages, accompanied by five or six -police-officers. These four prisoners were placed in a separate cell -apart from those who had been brought from the Tower. - -With respect to the prisoners arrived from the House of Correction, -the same precautions were taken, and one guard in the day, and two at -night, were appointed to be constantly present with them. - -In order to prevent any disturbance of a serious nature taking place, a -further precaution had been taken. A detachment of the London Militia -arrived in the course of the afternoon at Newgate, and continued there -until the whole of the trials were concluded. - - -A committee was formed among the friends and partizans of the -prisoners, for the purpose of raising subscriptions to support the -wives and families of the unfortunate men, who, it will be recollected, -were all of the lowest and most abject class of society, during their -imprisonment, and for employing a solicitor, retaining counsel, and -arranging other matters for their defence on the approaching trial. - -The following hand-bill, containing a forcible appeal to the feelings -of the public, was put forth by the families of the misguided men, -under the direction of the committee for the management of their -defence. How far the assertions so confidently expressed in this paper -were borne out by the evidence given on the trial, on which we are now -about to enter, we leave our readers to determine. - - - AN APPEAL TO THE BRITISH NATION. - - “The WIVES and FAMILIES of the _unfortunate persons_ now - imprisoned for an _alleged conspiracy_ against the present - government, venture to intrude their helpless and unprotected - situation on the immediate attention of their countrymen, and to - offer this imperfect, but they trust not unsuccessful, appeal. - - “Into the truth or falsehood of the charges, by virtue of which - their husbands and parents are suffering under the double weight - of public obloquy and rigorous confinement, they do not now - presume to enter; they merely put in their claims in behalf of - their unhappy relatives, that they may not be deprived of the - benefits common to every Briton, _viz._, that of being at least - not condemned until _legally_ proved guilty, nor excluded from all - possibility of a fair and unbiassed trial, _before a jury of their - peers_. - - “They beg to remind their countrymen that, hitherto, the - unfortunate accused have had no opportunity of proving their - innocence, or offering any thing in their own defence; that - all is _ex-parte_ statement, consisting of the testimony of - _Bow-street Officers_, and the exaggerated reports contained in - the public Journals, the former of which in many instances have - been _interested parties_, and have even been _proved_ to have - instigated to the commission of crime, that they might afterwards - _betray the delinquents, and obtain the promised reward_; and the - latter are notoriously guilty of loading their daily columns with - the most scandalous falsehoods and misrepresentations. - - “Under these impressions, they trust that a generous and humane - Public will suspend their judgment, until the whole of this - unhappy business has undergone the solemn and final adjudication - of a Legal Tribunal, when the guilt or innocence of the respective - parties may be rendered manifest to the world at large. Of this - they are naturally the more solicitous, because it will be - recollected, that when upon a former occasion, some of the persons - who now stand charged with the crime of High Treason, were accused - and tried for a similar offence, it was found, after a patient and - impartial investigation, to the perfect satisfaction both of the - Jury and the British Public, that the alleged Conspiracy was (as - they verily believe the present will also be proved,) nothing more - than the artful invention of _hired Spies_ and _secret Agents_, - who endeavoured to instigate to the perpetration of crime, that - they themselves might reap an ample harvest from the blood of - their deluded victims, and recommend themselves to their employers. - - “Waiving for the present, however, all further discussion upon - this painful and distressing subject, it is earnestly hoped that - whatever opinion or prejudice may be entertained respecting the - guilt or innocence of the accused, a generous Public will not - confound the innocent with the guilty, or suffer the defenceless - and unprotected Women and Children, who have no share or concern - in these melancholy transactions, to perish for want of timely - relief, while their Husbands and Parents are lingering in solitary - confinement, unable to stretch forth a helping hand to save them - from impending ruin: they are at this moment actually destitute of - the means of subsistence, and dying for want of food. - - “It is hoped that this imperfect but faithful statement of their - real situation and circumstances, will induce the benevolent to - step forward and contribute their liberal aid, to rescue those - distressed objects from famine and despair. - - “Subscriptions will be received by the Printer, 10, Duke Street, - Smithfield; Mr. Griffin, 10, Middle Row, Holborn, (opposite - Gray’s-Inn Lane:) Mr. Walker, Gun Street, Spitalfields; and by the - Relatives of the accused Persons The smallest Donations will be - thankfully acknowledged. - - - _Mary Brunt_, for herself and one child. - _Mary Tidd_, and eight children. - _Amelia Bradburn_, and eight children. - _Mary Strange_, and two children. - _Charlotte Preston_, and three sisters. - _Susan Thistlewood_, one child. - _Sarah Davidson_, and six children. - _Caroline Harrison_, and three children.” - - -Mr. HARMER was employed by the Committee for all the prisoners, except -Bradburn, having been previously employed for Bradburn by that man’s -relations and friends. - -Mr. ADOLPHUS and Mr. CURWOOD, were retained as counsel for Thistlewood, -Brunt, Davidson, Ings, and Tidd; and Mr. WALFORD and Mr. BRODERICK, for -the remainder of the prisoners. - -It may be proper here to state, that during the whole time the -prisoners were in custody, on the awful charges which we have so -minutely detailed, the greatest attention possible was paid to their -personal comfort and convenience, consistent with their safe custody; -and indeed the unhappy men themselves felt and acknowledged the humane -attention with which they had uniformly been treated. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[1] See Newgate Calendar, Vol. IV. - - - - -TRIALS - -FOR - -HIGH TREASON. - - -SESSIONS HOUSE, OLD BAILEY, SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1820. - -This being the day to which the Court had been adjourned for arraigning -and receiving the pleas of the eleven prisoners, against whom Bills of -Indictment for High Treason had been found, the proceedings commenced. -At ten o’clock precisely, the Commissioners entered the Court, preceded -by Mr. Sheriff Rothwell; they were, the Lord Chief-Justice Abbott, the -Lord Chief-Justice Dallas, the Chief Baron Richards, and Mr. Justice -Richardson. The Common Sergeant, who is also in the commission, was -likewise present; and Sir William Leighton, Sir R. Carr Glynn, Mr. -Alderman Christopher Smith, &c. - -The _Lord Chief-Justice Abbott_, after the Commissioners were all -seated, rose, and presented to Mr. Shelton the indictments which had -been found under the Special Commission, for the purpose of having -them tried under the General Session of Oyer and Terminer, and Gaol -Delivery, then holden in that Court. - -Mr. _Shelton_, on receiving them, immediately gave directions to Mr. -Brown, the gaoler, to bring up his prisoners. - -The prisoners were then brought into court, each man accompanied by a -constable, and placed at the back part of the dock. - -Arthur Thistlewood entered first; he looked pale and dejected. He was -dressed in a black coat and velvet collar, light-coloured waistcoat, -blue trowsers, and shoes. None of the prisoners were either handcuffed -or bolted. The other men were decently clad, according to their means, -and appeared cleanly and healthful. The whole being assembled, - -Mr. _Clarke_, the deputy clerk of the arraigns, proceeded to call -over their names from the back of the bill found for high treason, -preparatory to - - -THE ARRAIGNMENT. - -_Arthur Thistlewood_ first came forward, and was desired to hold up his -hand. Having complied with this direction, he was placed at the bar. -William Davidson (the man of colour), James Ings, John Thomas Brunt, -and Richard Tidd, were then called, and went through the same ceremony. - -Upon coming to the name of James William Wilson, Wilson, who remained -with the other prisoners, did not answer. The name was twice repeated, -but still he took no notice. One of the turnkeys then addressed him -personally, and said, “Come forward, Wilson,” to which he replied, -“That is not my name.” - -Mr. CURWOOD now stated to the Court, that he was Counsel for some of -the prisoners, and that it was intended to put in a plea of misnomer as -to this man. - -The _Lord Chief Justice_.--That must be done when the indictment is -read, and when the prisoner is called on to plead. - -The remaining prisoners, John Harrison, Richard Bradburn, and John Shaw -Strange, James Gilchrist, and Charles Cooper, were then called, and -severally came to the bar, and held up their hands. - -The _Lord Chief Justice Abbott_.--“Prisoners, attend while the -indictment is read;” and then, addressing himself to Mr. Clarke, “Let -their names be called over again.” - -Their names were accordingly called over; and Mr. Clarke proceeded to -read the indictment for high treason, for which see page 90. - -On coming to the second count, - -Mr. _Curwood_ submitted, that as the overt acts in this count were -similar to those in the first count, it was scarcely necessary to give -the officer of the court the trouble of reading, or the court the -fatigue of listening to it. - -The _Lord Chief Justice Abbott_.--You think it may be dispensed with: -very well, This may the more readily be acquiesced in, as all the -prisoners have been furnished with copies of the indictment. Unless the -prisoners themselves desire it, therefore, this count need not be read. -His Lordship then addressed himself to the prisoners, and asked them -whether they wished any more of this count to be read? He added, that -their counsel thought it unnecessary. - -_Ings._--I do not think it is necessary. - -The other prisoners all acquiesced in this determination. - -The succeeding counts were then read, when Mr. _Clarke_ addressed -himself to Arthur Thistlewood, and asked him, whether he was guilty or -not guilty of the treasons and felonies whereof he stood charged? - -_Thistlewood._--Not guilty. - -Mr. _Clarke_.--How will you be tried? - -_Thistlewood._--By God and my country. - -The same question, which is the usual form in arraignments, was then -put to Davidson, who also pleaded Not Guilty, and agreed to be tried in -the same way. - -_Ings_, in a firm tone of voice, said, “I am not guilty. I will be -tried by God and by the laws of reason. The laws of reason are the laws -of God.” - -The _Lord Chief Justice_.--Instruct him to plead in the usual way. - -Mr. Brown having spoken to the prisoner, he agreed to the ordinary -terms of the plea, and said he would be tried by God and his country. - -John Thomas Brunt and Richard Tidd followed the example of Thistlewood -and Davidson. - -Mr. Clarke next called the name of “James William Wilson.” - -Wilson came forward, and repeated his declaration, that that was not -his name. - -The _Lord Chief Justice Abbott_.--What is your name? - -_Wilson._--My name is James Wilson. - -Mr. CURWOOD.--We mean to plead in abatement that this man has been -indicted by a wrong name. - -The _Lord Chief Justice Abbott_.--Is your plea prepared? - -Mr. CURWOOD.--Yes, my Lord. - -The _Lord Chief Justice Abbott._--Let it be sworn. - -The plea was then handed to Wilson, and he was sworn, in the customary -form, to answer all such questions as the Court should demand of him. - -The _Lord Chief Justice_.--Have you read the contents of that plea, -and the form of affidavit subjoined; and is it true in matter and in -substance? - -_Wilson._--I have, my Lord; I have signed it; it is true. - -The _Lord Chief Justice_.--You swear the contents of your affidavit are -true? - -_Wilson._--Yes. - -The _Lord Chief Justice_.--Let the plea be received. - -The plea was handed accordingly to Mr. Shelton. - -The _Lord Chief Justice_.--The plea is received by the Court. It is for -the Attorney General to consider what he proposes to do with it. For -the present, take that man back. - -The prisoner stood back. Harrison, Bradburn, Strange, Gilchrist, and -Cooper, then pleaded Not Guilty, and pursued the course adopted by the -other prisoners. - -Thistlewood, Brunt, Tidd, Wilson, Harrison, and Strange, were -then arraigned on a second indictment, charging them, in various -counts, with the wilful murder of Richard Smithers, in the parish of -Marylebone, in the county of Middlesex, on the 23d of February last. - -They all pleaded Not Guilty, with the exception of Wilson, who -again pleaded the misnomer, and a plea was ordered to be prepared -accordingly. - -Ings now attracted the attention of the Court, and said, “I wish to -speak, if I am permitted. I wish to know whether we are going to be -tried altogether or separately? My wish is to be tried separately. -I think I shall be able to prove that I am innocent of the charges -alleged against me.” - -The _Lord Chief Justice_.--It is probable your request may be attended -to; but this is not the proper time for making it. We will hear that -presently. - -The whole of the eleven prisoners were next arraigned on a third -indictment, which was founded on the coroner’s inquisition, by which -they were all, together with certain other persons to the jurors -unknown, pronounced guilty of the wilful murder of Richard Smithers. -In this indictment the name of Wilson was correctly set forth: he, -therefore, together with the other prisoners, pleaded Not Guilty. - -Arthur Thistlewood was then arraigned separately on an indictment, -charging him with shooting at, with intent to kill, or do some grievous -bodily harm to, William Westcott, one of the Bow-street patrol engaged -in arresting the conspirators in Cato-street. He pleaded Not Guilty, as -did - -James Ings and Richard Tidd to similar indictments preferred against -the latter, for shooting at, with intent to kill, William Legg, -serjeant in the Coldstream Guards; and the former for shooting at -William Charles Brooks, one of the Bow-street patrol. - -To each of these indictments a count was added, alleging the intent -to be to obstruct certain officers of the peace in apprehending them -while in the pursuit of illegal objects, and conspiring to murder and -assassinate certain liege subjects of our Lord the King. - -James Wilson was put to the bar to plead to an indictment against -him for shooting at John Muddock, one of the soldiers engaged in -Cato-street; but, being again described as James William Wilson, he -pleaded his misnomer once more, and a plea was ordered to be prepared -accordingly. - -The whole of the indictments having been gone through, - -The _Attorney-General_ addressed the Commissioners, and said, that -as he understood it was the wish of the prisoners to separate their -challenges, he begged that the prisoners might be apprized that Arthur -Thistlewood would be tried alone upon the indictment for high-treason -on Monday morning. - -The _Lord Chief Justice_ desired that the prisoners might be asked, -whether it was their wish to challenge separately? - -The prisoners all expressed their wish to that effect. - -Mr. _Shelton_ then addressed Thistlewood, and informed him that he -would be put upon his trial for high-treason on Monday morning, at nine -o’clock. - -The prisoners were then all taken from the bar, with the exception -of Wilson, who remained to make affidavits to the pleas which he had -tendered. - -The _Attorney General_ then adverted to the necessity of assigning -Council to the prisoners under the terms of the statute. - -The _Lord Chief Justice_ desired that the names of the Council selected -by the prisoners might be stated to the Court. - -Mr. _Harmer_ immediately announced, that Mr. ADOLPHUS and Mr. CURWOOD -were to be the Counsel for the first six prisoners, including Arthur -Thistlewood; and that Mr. WALFORD and Mr. BRODERICK would conduct the -defence of the remaining five. - -The _Lord Chief Justice_ directed that the Council named should be -assigned accordingly. - -The additional pleas of Wilson were then brought into court by Mr. -Harmer, and the prisoner was sworn to their contents. - -The _Lord Chief Justice_.--Let the pleas be received. His Lordship -subsequently announced, that the Attorney-General had filed his -replication to the pleas in question. - -[Illustration: Thomas Hiden.] - -[Illustration: - -_Wivell Del^t._ _Cooper Sculp._ - -Robert Adams.] - -Wilson was then taken back to Newgate, and the whole of the prisoners -were re-conducted to their respective places of confinement. -Thistlewood shook hands most cordially with some of his companions, -whom he had not previously seen since his commitment. - - -TRIAL OF ARTHUR THISTLEWOOD, - - -FIRST DAY, APRIL 17, 1820. - -The interest excited by this trial was strongly manifested by the -assemblage of a crowd in front of the Sessions-house, as early as seven -o’clock. Previous to this time a numerous body of the civil force -had arrived, and were stationed in such situations as to control the -multitude. For the purpose of preventing the interruption arising from -the passage of carriages and carts through the Old Bailey, rails were -erected at the two ends, next Ludgate-hill and Fleet-lane. These were -only opened to admit the carriages of persons engaged in the business -of the Court. - -At eight o’clock the arrival of the jurymen who had been summoned -created considerable bustle, and this was greatly increased by the -pressure of other persons for admission to the Court. Regulations were -adopted to prevent the entrance of those who were not provided with -tickets. This was the more necessary, as from the limited nature of the -Court but a small portion of the public could obtain accommodation. -The Jury alone, who stood in the body of the Court, were upwards of -two hundred in number. Certain boxes were devoted to the reception of -females, several of whom were present. - -The witnesses for the Crown were divided into two parties. The more -respectable were placed in the Grand Jury room, and those of an humbler -class remained in a contiguous apartment. - -Monument, who remained a prisoner in the Tower, was brought from thence -in the care of two warders, and Lavender and Bishop. He was placed in -a room by himself, as was Adams, who was brought from the House of -Correction in the custody of Governor Adkins. - -The pikes, swords, guns, pistols, grenades, ammunition, and other -articles intended to be produced on the trial, and which the witnesses -brought with them, presented a most formidable appearance. - -At half-past eight Thistlewood was conducted from his cell, in the care -of one of the Turnkeys. He appeared greatly dejected. He was placed in -the apartment usually devoted to those about to be put on their trials. -The other prisoners were not brought down. - -As the time appointed for the sitting of the Commissioners approached, -the body of the Court became greatly crowded; while the galleries, -which are private property, and to which admission could only be -obtained by the payment of a guinea, were comparatively thin. The -boxes assigned to the Committee of City Lands and the Grand Jury were -completely filled. - -At nine o’clock the Commissioners entered the Court in the same order -as described on Saturday. The Court was then opened in the usual form. - -Mr. _Shelton_ immediately proceeded to call over the names of the -Jurymen summoned. As they answered, they were asked, whether they were -freeholders in the county of Middlesex to the amount of ten pounds -a-year, or of a freehold and copyhold together of that amount? In the -event of their answering in the negative, they were passed over. Those -who did not answer when called, were called upon their summonses “to -come forth and save their fines of 100 shillings and issue.” Several -were in this predicament. - -The object of this ceremony was to ascertain the number and eligibility -of the Jurymen in attendance, preparatory to their being subsequently -subject to the challenges of the crown officers and the prisoners. Some -of the gentlemen were excused from attendance on the ground of their -health being so infirm as to preclude them from doing their duty as -Jurymen. - -While this form was going through, the prisoner Thistlewood was put -to the bar, and attracted general attention. He was dressed as on -Saturday, and came forward with apparent firmness. He had in his hand a -pencil and a sheet of paper. He paid particular attention to the names -as they were called over. - -The Council for the Crown in attendance were, the Attorney-General, -the Solicitor-General, Mr. Bolland, and Mr. Littledale. Those for -the prisoners were, Mr. Curwood, Mr. Adolphus, Mr. Walford, and Mr. -Broderick. Such was the pressure occasioned by the assemblage of the -Jury, that they were constrained to ask permission to quit the Court as -their names were called over. This request was complied with, but they -were desired to remain within hearing. - -As the prisoner stood at the bar, and while the Court was occupied in -attending to the list of the jury being called over, a man of shabby -appearance contrived to get to the corner of the dock, and to place his -hat on the board in front, and then, calling Thistlewood’s attention, -directed him to take the contents. Thistlewood immediately took from -the hat five oranges, which he put in his pocket. Mr. Brown, who was -in his box, witnessed the transaction, and admonished the obtruder. He -afterwards directed one of his turnkeys to take the oranges into his -possession. Thistlewood, on being asked, delivered up the fruit, and -they were carried out of Court to be examined. - -There might seem, in this conduct, on the part of Mr. Brown, something -of harshness; but when it is recollected that an orange might be -made the vehicle of conveying to the prisoner the means of personal -destruction, or some other thing which the precautions already taken -were meant to prevent, it will be seen that he did no more than -became the vigilant execution of his duty. The oranges, having been -examined, were returned. It was intimated to Thistlewood that he should -be provided with any thing in the way of refreshment which he might -require. We have already stated, that all communication with the -prisoner, save under an order from the Secretary of State, had been -most positively interdicted. The act of the individual in the present -instance, however well-intentioned, was in direct contravention of this -order. - -Subsequent to this transaction, two letters, which had come by post, -were delivered to Mr. Brown. We believe they were addressed to the -prisoners, and, after they had been shewn to him, Mr. Brown felt it his -duty to enclose and send them to the Solicitor of the Treasury. - -At twelve o’clock the whole of the jury had been called over. - -_Thistlewood_ then addressed the Court, and said, “Will your Lordship -allow me a chair?” - -The _Lord Chief Justice_.--Considering the length of time which your -trial is likely to last, the Court will grant you this indulgence. - -A chair was then placed at the front of the dock, and the prisoner sat -down, having first thanked the Court. - - -THE TRIAL. - -_Mr. Shelton_ then announced to the prisoner, that the jury were about -to be called; and that, if he was disposed to challenge any or either -of them, he would do so on their coming to the box to be sworn, and -before they were sworn. - -A considerable number of challenges then took place, both on the part -of the crown and of the prisoner; at length the following jurymen were -impannelled: - -Alexander Barclay, Teddington, gent. and grocer. -Thomas Goodchild, North-end, Hendon, Esq. -Thomas Suffield Aldersey, Lisson-grove, North, Esq. -James Herbert, Isleworth, carpenter. -John Shooter, North-end, Hendon, gent. -Samuel Granger, Blackwall, lighterman. -George Dickenson, Colt-street, Limehouse, builder. -John Edward Sheppard, Eden-grove, Holloway, -John Fowler, St. John-street, iron-plate-worker. -William Gibbs Roberts, Ropemakers-field, Limehouse, cooper. -John Dobson, Felix-place, Islington, Esq. -William Cooper, Grove-street, St. Pancras, Esq. - -After which the _Lord Chief Justice_ thus delivered himself:--“As there -are several persons charged with the offence of high treason by this -indictment, whose trials are likely to be taken one after the other, I -think it necessary, in the furtherance of justice, strictly to prohibit -the publication of the proceedings of this, or any other day, until -the whole of the trials shall be brought to a conclusion. It is highly -necessary to the purposes of justice that the public mind, or the -jurymen who are hereafter to serve, should not be influenced by the -publication of any of the proceedings which may take place, until the -whole of those proceedings shall be finished. It is expected that all -persons, therefore, will attend to this admonition.” - -_Mr. Shelton_ then called the attention of the prisoner, and read the -indictment. - -_Mr. Bolland_, as junior Counsel for the Crown, having shortly opened -the indictment, the Attorney-General, at half-past one, proceeded to -address the jury. - -“May it please your Lordship, and gentlemen of the jury; you are -now assembled to discharge one of the most important duties that -can devolve to the province of a jury, to decide upon the guilt or -innocence of a party charged with the highest offence known to the -law; and, upon such an occasion, I am satisfied it is unnecessary for -me to bespeak your patient attention to the case before you, still -less even to hint to you the necessity of coming to the investigation -with unbiassed and unprejudiced minds. You, I am sure, will discharge -from your recollection every thing you may have heard or read relative -to the charge which is about to be preferred against the prisoner -at the bar, confining your attention solely and exclusively to the -evidence which will be adduced in support of the charge, and forming -your conclusion on that evidence only. Gentlemen, the charge as I have -stated to you, is one of the highest nature known to the law. Other -offences, generally speaking, however heinous and however enormous, may -in their consequences, except so far as example is concerned, end with -the fate of the perpetrators, or with the individuals who have been -injured; but, with respect to high treason, not only in its inception, -but still more so if it is unfortunately completed, it draws after -it consequences of the most important kind, affecting, not merely -individuals, but the whole community against whom it is directed. - -“Gentlemen, I shall not trouble you in the observations I have to make -to you, painful as the duty now imposed upon me is, with any lengthened -detail with regard to the law as it affects the charge imputed to the -prisoner; because, if I mistake not, that law is so clear, and if I err -not greatly, the facts that will be proved to you will establish the -case against the prisoner in so clear and satisfactory a manner, that -it would be an idle affectation in me to cite any authorities before -you in support of the charge; because if the overt acts, as they are -called, or any of them, are proved to your satisfaction (and I have no -doubt but a considerable number of them will be proved,) no man who -hears me can entertain the slightest doubt that the offence charged in -the indictment will be established in point of law. - -“Gentlemen, the charges in this indictment, though four in number, -will be all proved to you by the same evidence; and if the evidence I -shall lay before you be sufficient to establish one of them, it will, I -believe, completely establish the whole. Three of the offences charged, -consist in compassing and imagining the deposition of the King from his -throne; the death of the King; and a conspiracy to levy war, in order -to compel him to change his measures for the government of the kingdom. - -“It is hardly necessary for me to state to you, that in proof of -these charges, it is not essential that the plans of the parties -accused should aim directly and immediately either at the life or the -deposition of his Majesty; because, if they are aimed at that form of -government which now exists--if intended to bring about a change in the -system of rule now established, by means of war, which would naturally -tend to effect that which must ultimately result either in the removal -of the King from his kingly dignity, or in compelling him to change -his measures in Council, that would be high treason; and therefore -in these cases it is quite sufficient to shew that the plans framed -were of a description and nature aiming against the government, (which -will undoubtedly be proved in this case) although not directly and in -the first instance aimed against the personal safety or the personal -authority of the Crown. If, therefore, the consequences of the acts -of the accused in this case, if those acts had been perfected, must -inevitably have led to these results, they establish in point of law -the treason charged; and therefore, Gentlemen, not to bewilder you -in the inquiry which you are about to enter upon, I think it quite -sufficient in the outset to state to you, that, in which I believe I -shall be confirmed by the highest authority in the law when this case -comes to be summed up to you, _viz._, that if the overt acts and facts -charged in the indictment as evidencing the intention existing in the -minds of the conspirators be proved to your satisfaction, they do prove -the charges laid in this indictment; and, therefore, it is unnecessary -to trouble you with any further observations on the law of the case. - -“Gentlemen, important as the duty is which you are called upon to -discharge, and anxious as that duty certainly must be to you, mine, I -say, is no less anxious; for although in the address I purpose making -to you, I do assure you I mean only to inform your minds of the nature -of the charge brought before you, and of the evidence by which that -charge will be substantiated, yet my duty is most painful; and I make -this address with no view of leading your minds to any conclusion which -the evidence itself does not warrant--with no intention of making any -addition of my own, for, God knows, the facts want no addition to -accelerate the inevitable conclusion to which you must come. It is my -duty to state to you, as counsel for the prosecution, the case against -the unfortunate man at the bar, as detailed to me in my instructions. -My anxiety, therefore, is, I do assure you most conscientiously, not -by any thing I shall state to you to attempt to lead or direct your -minds to the conclusion which you ought only to draw from the evidence, -but to state to you calmly and fairly the facts which I believe will -be proved, without any attempt at exaggeration on the one hand, or -any thing but a fair and candid narrative on the other, without any -colouring whatever, because no colouring can alter the real facts -of the case, however high. If I should err in this, and if in any -thing I state to you, you shall, when you come to make up your minds, -think the statement not proved in evidence, or the observations or -inferences which I may have drawn shall not be fairly borne out by -the facts proved, you will dismiss them from your minds, and confine -your attention to that alone which is proved. But if you believe the -statement I shall make, if you believe the observations made in that -statement are fair and natural on the facts, then you will give them -the weight they deserve, and you will suffer them to operate so far, -and no further, as you, in your judgment, think they ought. - -“Gentlemen, having said thus much, I will, without farther preface, -call your attention as perspicuously and as shortly as I can to the -facts which will be proved in evidence to support the charges. The -prisoner at the bar, Arthur Thistlewood, must be already known to you -by name; but, as I before stated to you, let nothing that you have -known or heard of him before you came into this court to discharge the -solemn duty you are bound to perform, have the least effect upon that -verdict you are to pronounce. The prisoner at the bar, however, I state -to you, as it will be proved in evidence, had for some time conceived -the wicked and nefarious plan of overturning the government so long -established in this country; and it will appear to you that several, -nay, all of the persons mentioned in the indictment, were participators -in the same design; some of them, probably, coming into that purpose -and design at a later period than others, but all of them concurring in -the last criminal event which led to their detection. I shall prove to -you by the most satisfactory evidence, that all of them were combining -in that act, which was to be the commencement of that revolution in the -country, which was meditated. I would, however, call your attention to -two persons, whose names you will frequently hear in the course of this -inquiry, I mean a person of the name of James Ings, and a person of the -name of John Thomas Brunt. - -“The prisoner at the bar resided, during the time of the transaction -which I am about to relate to you, in Stanhope-street, Clare Market. -The person named Brunt, I believe, was a shoe-maker or boot-closer, -residing at a place which will be frequently mentioned in the course -of the evidence, Fox-court, Gray’s Inn-lane; he inhabited two rooms in -a house in that court, I believe the second floor, and in one of which -his trade was carried on, and in the other his family, consisting of -himself, his wife, an apprentice of the name of Hales, and his son, -lived. - -“I shall not carry your attention very far back in the narrative of -this transaction; it will be sufficient for me particularly in the -outset, to call your attention to circumstances that took place between -the close of the month of January and the 23d of the following month of -February. Undoubtedly it will appear to you, that long prior to that -period the prisoner at the bar, the two persons I have mentioned, and -several of the others, whose names are included in this indictment, -had consulted and devised plans for the purpose of overturning the -Government. They had frequent meetings at a public-house, called the -White Hart, in Brooks’ Market, in a room which they had obtained for -the purpose of these meetings, behind that public-house. - -“About the latter end of January, or at the commencement of the month -of February, they thought it prudent to remove their meetings from this -place, and that it would be better that they should be carried on, if -possible, in a room in the house where Brunt lived in Fox-court; and -to avoid suspicion, they therefore had recourse to this contrivance, -that another room in that house, and upon the same floor on which Brunt -resided, should be taken by the prisoner Ings, who is, I believe, by -trade a butcher. Brunt and Ings on that occasion hired that room, -for the avowed purpose of a lodging for Ings, but for the secret and -real object of having their meetings there, where they might devise -their plans, and prepare the means for carrying the object of their -conspiracy into execution; that being a place of more security and -privacy than the one at which they had previously held their assemblies. - -“At the close of the month of January, or the beginning of the month -of February, you will learn, that having previously prepared means -for effecting their plans, their meetings at Brunt’s room became more -frequent and regular. They had determined--and, Gentlemen, I here -regret, that in an English Court of Justice I have to state to you -the horrible purpose which then entered into their minds, and the way -in which they intended to consummate the nefarious operations they -had in view.--It was thought by Englishmen, that the assassination -of several, if not all, of his Majesty’s ministers would be a proper -step towards carrying into effect the revolution they intended; and -you will find that they meditated and consulted on the means by which -that horrible purpose was to be completed. They entertained hopes that -they might be enabled, at some meeting of his Majesty’s ministers, to -effect all at once the double purpose they had conceived. Having done -that, they intended at the same moment, or about the same time, to -set fire to various parts of this metropolis--to endeavour to obtain -possession of the cannon which were at the Artillery Ground, and at the -Light Horse Volunteers’ Stables in Gray’s Inn-lane--to create as much -confusion and dismay as they could by these various operations, and -then to establish, what, in their vain expectations, they had imagined -themselves capable of effecting--a provisional government, the seat of -which was to be at the Mansion-house. They had frequent deliberations -on this plan. - -“You will recollect that his late Most Excellent Majesty died on the -29th of January. At this time their deliberations were going on with -the greatest activity. During the latter end of that month and the -beginning of February, it was thought that the meeting of his Majesty’s -ministers at the King’s funeral would be a proper occasion for carrying -their plans into effect. They had intimation that upon that occasion, -the greater part of the troops centred in the metropolis would be -removed to Windsor, to witness the solemnity; and they imagined that -would be a fit and proper period to commence their operations; but, -however, they found that their schemes embraced more objects than at -that period they had the means of effecting, and upon that night they -did not attempt the purposes they had in view. But, gentlemen, brooding -over their nefarious schemes, many of these men became impatient at -the delay which from unavoidable circumstances, interposed between the -present day and that on which they hoped to accomplish their purposes; -and you will find that on the 19th of February, to which I shall -presently call your attention, the impatience became so great on the -part of many of these persons as to be restrained no longer. They found -that during this delay, an opportunity offered at which they could -effect the horrible purpose I have mentioned--the assassination of all -his Majesty’s ministers assembled at one and the same house. - -“They got intimation on Saturday the 16th of February, that on the -Wednesday following the opportunity would occur when they would be able -to effect their purpose, by finding that his Majesty’s ministers would -be assembled at the same house. Upon hearing that such an assemblage -was to take place, they determined, at a meeting held for that purpose, -that at all events, on the following Wednesday some blow should be -struck, and that the revolution they had in contemplation should -actually take place. - -“Having thus determined, they appointed a meeting on the following day, -Saturday, at Brunt’s house, for the purpose of forming a committee, -upon whom should devolve the plan which was to be effected on the -ensuing Wednesday, at that meeting; and indeed at all the meetings, -you will find the prisoner foremost in every thing. He was to be -their leader, and he was to be one of the men on whom they placed the -greatest reliance. You will find that at this meeting he is the person -who addressed them, and prepared the plans, and in whose plans they -placed the greatest confidence. - -“Gentlemen, upon this 19th of February it was, that Thistlewood -proposed that which I have stated to you. He stated, that as it did not -appear from the intelligence they could collect, that Ministers were -likely to meet at the cabinet-dinner soon, they immediately ascertained -the strength of their respective parties, and having so ascertained -them, these parties should be divided into different bodies, upon some -of whom should devolve the horrible duty of destroying as many of his -Majesty’s ministers as their means and convenience would allow; that -upon others should be imposed the duty of setting fire to various -parts of the metropolis; and that others should be assigned other -duties, which were there pointed out by the prisoner. - -“This plan, formed at that meeting, was seconded by Brunt, whose -name I have already mentioned; and there too it was agreed as I have -already stated, that on the following day, Saturday, a meeting should -take place at Brunt’s room, in order to appoint a committee, upon -whom should devolve the final arrangement of the plan which was to be -executed on the following Wednesday. - -“On the Sunday the meeting accordingly took place, attended by the -prisoner, by Ings, by Harrison, by Wilson, and by other persons, whose -names are mentioned in this indictment, and with which I do not at -this moment trouble you, because, as your attention is confined to the -present prisoner, it is unnecessary to do so. At the same time, in the -course of this investigation, connecting, as we shall do, all these -persons in one common plan and design, the acts and declarations of -each will be most important, because they will all be answerable for -the acts of each in furtherance of their common purpose. Upon that -occasion they met at Brunt’s, and it was then agreed that they should -meet again on the following morning, Monday, February 21. - -“After the plans, I should tell you, on the Sunday were again repeated -by Thistlewood, they were again approved by these persons. I think the -number who attended on that occasion amounted to fourteen or fifteen -persons. They then agreed that no activity should be wanting in the -mean time. I mean to prepare that to which I shall by-and-by, call -your attention. They met again on Monday at Brunt’s. The same plan was -again canvassed. No objection was made, and they then separated for the -purpose of communicating it to their different friends in different -parts of the town; and for the purpose of collecting as many persons as -they were enabled to do for the meeting on the following Wednesday. On -Tuesday the 22d of February, a meeting took place again in the morning, -at Brunt’s; and upon that occasion, one of the parties communicated -to some who were present, that he had discovered by the newspapers, -that a cabinet dinner was to be given on the following day, Wednesday, -at my Lord Harrowby’s, in Grosvenor-square. Gentlemen, you will be -shocked when you come to hear the evidence detailed, to find with what -exultation this intelligence was received. Brunt, with an impiety -which must shock every well-regulated mind, exclaimed, ‘that till then -he disbelieved the existence of a God, but that now he was satisfied -the Almighty was favouring their designs, and that this dinner was -appointed by Providence on the following day to enable them at one blow -to effect that purpose which had been levelled against each of his -Majesty’s ministers separately, and that they might be enabled by that -means to accomplish at once, the whole destruction they meditated.’ -The exultation was not confined to him; you will find, that Ings -and the other persons present equally rejoiced at the prospect of a -speedy termination of their nefarious purposes, and hoping that on the -following night they should at length attain that which was so great -an object of their desire, and which they had pursued with the utmost -anxiety. The newspaper was then sent for, to see if the intelligence -was true. On being brought it was immediately determined, that instead -of the plan of endeavouring to assassinate some of his Majesty’s -ministers at their respective houses, that my Lord Harrowby’s should -be the place of attack; and that there in the evening, between eight -and nine o’ clock, after all the guests were assembled, and were lulled -into security, that the attack should be made on the house, and that -the ministers should be destroyed by the means I shall state to you. - -“Their activity on this intelligence being received, was redoubled; -they met again in the evening--their different partizans were requested -at once to obtain all their fire-arms, the ammunition they had -previously collected, and the different instruments of mischief which -you will find they had prepared for execution, and that they should -be in a state of preparation on the following evening to effect this -purpose. I should have stated to you, gentlemen, before I had come to -this part of the narrative, that a person of the name of Tidd, who -is also included in this indictment, and who lived, I believe in the -Hole-in-the-Wall-alley, Brooks’-market, was one of the conspirators, -and had embarked in these plans. His house was made the depôt of arms -and ammunition. - -“As the meeting of the conspirators had been held at Brunt’s, they had -a suspicion that their proceedings might be watched, and they thought -it unsafe that that should be the place of deposit, and therefore -Tidd’s house had, for some time, been the depository for the arms and -ammunition which had been collected. - -“As Brunt’s house was, as you know, at some considerable distance -from Grosvenor-square, where the commencement of this scene of blood -was to take place, they thought it would be better to procure some -place of rendezvous nearer to the house of Lord Harrowby; and you will -find therefore, though it was not communicated at that moment to the -different parties, who were to be engaged in the transaction, that -a place was procured at the west end of the town, in Cato-street, -which runs into John-street, and thence to the Edgeware-road. A place -was there procured by Harrison, another of the conspirators, for the -purpose of meeting on the following evening, preparatory to their going -to Grosvenor-square. - -“Gentlemen, it frequently and providentially happens, as it generally -will in conspiracies of this nature, that some of the parties, previous -to the perpetration of their wicked designs, feel some compunction, -which leads to a disclosure of their plans, and a prevention of their -intentions; and you will find in evidence, in this case, that upon the -Tuesday, the day on which the intelligence was received that the dinner -was to be at Lord Harrowby’s the next day, which really was the case, -one person of the name of Hiden, who had these plans communicated to -him, because it was hoped that he would become a participator in their -designs, felt such compunction as to compel him to communicate to Lord -Harrowby the plan that was designed; and you will find, that upon that -day, this person took an opportunity of watching Lord Harrowby from his -house, on horseback, into the park, and there he generally communicated -to him that some mischief was intended against him, and therefore -forewarned him of it. - -“It will also appear to you, that at their meeting on Tuesday some -little alarm had been excited in the minds of some of the party, by -a person named Adams, who had been told by the publican at the White -Hart, that their meetings had been suspected, and that they were in -some hazard of being discovered. He therefore stated to Thistlewood, -and others, on Tuesday, that a communication had been made to him -by the landlord that their meetings at the White Hart public-house -had been observed by some of the police officers, and therefore he -expressed his apprehensions, that their plans had been discovered, -or were likely to be discovered. This excited in the minds of those -present the greatest agitation. They were astonished that Adams should -have ventured at such a meeting, consisting of fourteen or fifteen -persons, to hint that there was a possibility of their plans being -discovered. The intelligence produced the greatest alarm, and they -immediately took into consideration what was best to do. - -“The prisoner Brunt, in order to ascertain whether there was any ground -for the suspicions entertained by Adams, proposed that some of the -party should be posted near Lord Harrowby’s house, on Tuesday evening, -and early on the following Wednesday, with a view of seeing whether any -preparations were made to receive any intended attack, and thereby to -ascertain to their satisfaction whether or not their plans had been -discovered; and you will find that the suggestion of Brunt was carried -into effect, by sending two or three parties, amongst whom was a man -named Davidson, who will be a very conspicuous person throughout this -transaction, and one of the most active partizans, to watch the house. -They sent him and another person about six o’clock that evening, to -watch Lord Harrowby’s house, and they were to be relieved between eight -and nine o’clock by two others of the party, who were to keep three -hours’ watch; at the end of which time they were to be relieved by -others, who, in their turn, would be relieved by four in the morning. -It will be proved to you that they actually went there on that night, -and were seen by different persons in Grosvenor-square, watching Lord -Harrowby’s house for the purpose mentioned, and finding, as was the -case, that there appeared to be no alarm--that there were no police -officers, or troops of any description introduced into Lord Harrowby’s -house, or stationed in the neighbourhood, they felt quite satisfied -that it was a groundless alarm on the part of Adams--that there was no -foundation for suspecting that any of their plans were discovered; and -therefore they proceeded without hesitation or dread to complete, as -far as they could, the purpose they had in view. - -“On the Wednesday morning, great preparations were made. Arms were -brought by Brunt in great abundance to the stable in Cato-street; they -consisted of sabres, swords, guns, pistols, and other destructive -instruments of offence. But one of the most terrific instruments, -and calculated for the most deadly purposes, and which they prepared -themselves, was what was called a hand-grenade. It was composed in -this way--there was a quantity of gunpowder enclosed in a tin case, -three or four inches in circumference, round which was tied a quantity -of tow, and on the outside was a quantity of iron, in pieces of -various descriptions, sharp-pointed, and otherwise shaped, which were -fastened together, and tied round with the same sort of material I have -mentioned, so as to enable the instrument to explode with the greatest -force; and the object of this machine was stated without disguise to be -this: that upon their entrance into Lord Harrowby’s house, it was to be -lighted by a fusee, communicating with the powder, and then thrown into -the room; and by the explosion, the persons exposed to the mischief -might be killed or wounded, as would naturally be the case. It seems -they had prepared a great number of these destructive instruments; I -know not how many. - -“They had also prepared what they, in their mode of expression, -called illumination balls, made for the purpose of setting fire to -any buildings which it was their object and purpose to destroy. They -had prepared also a large quantity of ball cartridges, the amount of -which will probably surprise you, considering the apparently feeble -means these persons had of procuring articles of this description. -Will it be believed, that they had prepared between 11 and 1,200 -rounds of ball cartridges? They had also prepared several sorts of -cartridges of a different description, made with flannel bags, and had -provided themselves with a very large quantity of powder. They had also -prepared a great number of pikes, and pike handles, for the purpose of -arming their friends and associates, who had no other arms. All these -preparations must, obviously, have been the work of a considerable -length of time. They must have been the fruits of very great labour, -and they were all prepared and ready on the 23d of February for their -intended operations. - -“On the morning of the 23d of February, several of the conspirators -assembled at Brunt’s house, where they were engaged in completing -their hand-grenades, putting flints into their pistols, loading their -arms, and, in short, making every preparation for the approaching -attack. These facts will be proved to you by Brunt’s apprentice. I -have already told you, that for the purpose of their meeting, and for -the convenience of having some place near to Lord Harrowby’s house, a -stable had been hired by one of the conspirators in Cato-street, near -the Edgeware-road. - -“I know not whether curiosity has led any of you, as it has done a -great many of the public, to visit the place; but if it has not, I will -endeavour to describe the situation, and I think you will agree with -me, that a more appropriate situation for the purpose contemplated -could hardly be selected. It is an obscure street, having a very narrow -access at either end. I think at one end there is not any access for -carriages, and at the other there is an archway, and under it posts, -to prevent none but foot-passengers going in or out. The east end -passes into John-street, and the west end, which is a very narrow -cartway, runs into Queen-street, both John-street and Queen-street -running parallel with each other into the Edgeware-road. The stable -is the first building as you enter Cato-street from John-street on -the right-hand side of the way, and it is nearly opposite the small -public-house, called by the sign of the Horse and Groom. The stable -had been occupied by General Watson, who is abroad, and rented of him -by a person of the name of Firth, by whom it was let to Harrison for -this purpose. It consists below stairs of a stable, with three stalls, -and a small place adjoining, for the reception of a carriage or cart; -and at the further end of it, nearly opposite the door, as you enter, -is a step-ladder leading up into the loft over the stable, on the side -of which are two small rooms, which are immediately over the cart or -coach-house. - -“It will be proved to you, that previously to the meeting on that -evening, which was to take place about seven or eight o’clock, -preparations had been made by Harrison, and several others of the party -in the stable, for the reception of those who were to be assembled. In -order to avoid the observation of the neighbourhood, some pieces of -canvass had been nailed up against the window of the loft, to prevent -persons from observing on the opposite side of the street what might be -passing; and it was remarked by several of the neighbours, that this -place was visited by a great number of persons during the afternoon, -who were carrying something on their backs which the neighbours did -not discover, but which, I have no doubt, were the arms and other -implements of mischief collected there, and found when the prisoners -were taken. Harrison, who was known to be one of those persons, was -observed going into the stable in the afternoon; and on being asked -what his purpose was in going there, he said, he had taken it from -Firth, and was cleaning it out. About six o’clock, Davidson, the man -of colour, was also observed by some of these persons residing close -to the stable, going in with something on his back, and under his arm, -which they could not discover, and a number of candles in his hand. You -will find that he applied at one of the houses adjoining the stable, at -six o’clock, to light one of these candles, with which he went into the -stable. A party was to meet at Brunt’s lodgings, in order to proceed -from thence to this stable. Tidd, whose name I have already mentioned, -and who lived in the Hole-in-the-Wall-alley, was to accompany another -party. They had not communicated to all the party, at first, the -precise place of meeting, but some were to meet at the Horse and Groom, -and others were to go to the Edgeware-road, near John-street, where -some of the conspirators were to shew them to the place of rendezvous. - -“Between seven and eight o’clock Brunt, and some others from his -house, took their departure with arms, with which they had there -provided themselves, and concealed under their coats, to this stable in -Cato-street. They met there Thistlewood, Ings, Wilson, and some others, -and here they proceeded to arm themselves with the weapons provided, -and which were afterwards found; such as guns, pistols, swords, a great -number of hand-grenades, and a considerable number of pikes, rudely -formed, but sufficient for the purpose of doing incredible mischief. -The handles of the pikes were composed of rough ash sticks of a large -size, the ends of which were planed off, to admit a ferrule, and at the -end was stuck a pike-head or bayonet; for articles of both descriptions -were found, screwed on for the purpose of being afterwards used. - -“At first their party at Cato-street consisted only of fourteen or -fifteen persons, and some little alarm was excited, and some little -suspicion evidently raised, in the mind of Thistlewood and some -others, at Tidd’s not making his appearance at the appointed time, for -there being some remarks made that their number was not so large as -was expected, it was stated by Thistlewood, and by some others, that -there were other persons, who would by-and-by assemble, and that other -parties were gone for different purposes about the metropolis, who were -not to accompany them to Lord Harrowby’s house in Grosvenor-square. -In a short time afterwards, however, Tidd made his appearance with a -person named Monument, who will be produced as a witness; a person who -had only been recently induced to participate in their schemes--who a -short time before had been introduced to Thistlewood, and who had an -intimation generally with respect to their particular views; but he -had not been admitted to a knowledge of the whole scope of the plan, -until he arrived at Cato-street, although he might be aware that their -object was to overturn the Government in some way or other. He arrived, -however, with Tidd about seven o’clock, and the party at that time -consisted of about twenty-five persons; two of them were appointed to -remain as sentries below stairs to prevent any interruption. These -persons were Davidson and Ings, and they remained on guard whilst the -other conspirators were above stairs talking over their plans, and -making the final arrangements for proceeding to Lord Harrowby’s house, -in Grosvenor-square, which they proposed to do between seven and eight -o’clock. Some alarm, as I have already told you, had prevailed in the -party. Some of them expressed a fear that their own strength was hardly -adequate to the object in view. Upon which Thistlewood and Ings said -the opportunity must not be lost; that there was enough to complete -the purpose of destroying his Majesty’s ministers; that when that was -accomplished, the other consequences would follow; that they should -have parties ready to set fire to different parts of the metropolis; -that they would be joined by immense numbers the moment the first blow -was struck, and therefore, there could be no hesitation in their minds -to execute the intended purpose. - -“Having thus assembled their forces, and prepared themselves for -the desperate object of their enterprise, they began between seven -and eight o’clock to consider who should be the party to enter Lord -Harrowby’s house to destroy the ministers. The plan had been, that -Thistlewood was to knock at the door, under the pretence of having a -note to deliver to Lord Harrowby, and by that means having obtained -access to the hall, they were to compel the servants to shew them to -the room where the ministers were assembled; that they were to secure -the servants, who, they naturally believed, would be soon overpowered, -and should then immediately make their way into the room; and then -they should, without discrimination, without reserve, or without any -remorse, destroy every one of his Majesty’s ministers who should be -assembled. - -“I have stated to you, gentlemen, already the exultation and impiety -displayed by Brunt on one occasion, when he contemplated the completion -of his sanguinary purpose; and I cannot conceal from you one fact, -as it affects the man named Ings, which will be distinctly proved; -he had been a butcher, and he had armed himself on this occasion -not with a blunderbuss, a gun, or any thing of that sort, but with -a large butcher’s knife, and for the purpose of enabling him to use -it with more effect he had twisted round the handle a quantity of -thread, in order that when saturated with the blood of his victims, -it might not slip out of his hand; and he stated, in language of the -most gross and horrible import, that with this knife he would himself -effect the murder and mutilation of some of the persons who should be -assembled. The cruelty of the designs this man expressed, is beyond -all description. The scenes, in fact, which had disgraced another -country some years back, were to be acted again on British ground, and -the heads of some of the ministers were to be triumphantly paraded -through the streets, to procure converts to this detestable cause! -Gentlemen, that very knife was found upon, and taken from, that man; -and I mention that only as a corroborating fact, if corroboration be -needed. Gentlemen, thank Heaven, that Providence which kindly watches -over the acts and thoughts of men, mercifully interposed between the -conception of this abominable plot, and its completion, which was all -but perfected. - -“In consequence of the communication made to Lord Harrowby, measures -were taken in other quarters to prevent the impending danger. It being -stated that these persons had met in Cato-street, for the purposes I -have already mentioned, means were immediately taken to secure the -conspirators, which, however, were not so effectual as could have been -wished, but certainly so far as to prevent the execution of their -dreadful purposes. In order to remove all suspicion from the minds -of the conspirators, it was determined by Lord Harrowby, that the -preparations for the dinner, which he had intended undoubtedly for his -Majesty’s ministers, on that occasion, should go on; and in order that -there should be no suspicion in the house of my Lord Harrowby, his -servants were desired to proceed in the necessary arrangements for the -dinner, because there is no doubt, that if any alteration had taken -place in the arrangements of the day, it would have been communicated -to the conspirators; and if they suspected that the dinner was not -intended to take place, they would have changed their measures, and the -ends of justice would have been defeated. - -“In consequence, therefore, of the seeming perseverance in the design -of having a cabinet dinner, all suspicion was removed from the minds of -the Cato-street conspirators, who no doubt expected that they should -be enabled, from the short distance of their rendezvous, to reach Lord -Harrowby’s in about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, and accomplish -their purpose unmolested--a circumstance not unlikely, considering -that the hour of eight was chosen; considering that the neighbourhood -was the most quiet and retired in London; at a time, too, when the -inhabitants of the square and its vicinity were employed in domestic -retirement; at that hour when suspicion must be lulled asleep, and -when no apprehensions could be entertained of personal danger; for -that hour, and that moment was chosen by the Cato-street conspirators -to issue from the scene of their nefarious deliberations. Precautions, -however, had been taken as I have stated to you, in order to prevent -the accomplishment of their designs. A number of Bow-street officers -and patrol, had been directed to go to the spot, and endeavour to watch -their movements, and counteract their operations, before they took -their departure, and endeavour to secure the whole assemblage. - -“A party of the Guards also were to attend in John-street, to assist -the police; and, just at the moment that these persons were about -to set out, and when Thistlewood was calling over those who were to -separate from the rest to execute this horrible plan, the officers -entered the loft. Upon their entrance into the stable below, they -found two persons there, armed, who will be proved to be Davidson, -for his colour, which is nearly black, was perceived; he had a double -belt round his waist, in which were pistols and a cutlass, and he had -a gun over his shoulder; they found him inside the door, and another -person, who will be distinctly identified to be Ings. He was found at -the bottom of the ladder, with this knife, with a cutlass, a sword, and -with pistols. - -“The officers, with a resolution and courage which does them high -honour, considering the desperation and determination of these -characters, immediately ascended the ladder without securing the -persons below. They merely gave directions to those who followed, -to keep them secure, and they thought that would be enough, without -actually confining them. The first man who went up was a person of the -name of Ruthven, who will be called to you: he was followed by a man -named Ellis: after whom came a man, of whom you have undoubtedly heard -before, named Smithers, who met his death by the hand of Thistlewood. - -“On Smithers ascending the ladder, either Ings or Davidson hallooed -out from below, as a signal for them to be on their guard above, and -upon Ruthven ascending the ladder, Thistlewood, who was at a little -distance from the landing-place, and who was distinctly seen, for -there were several lights in the place, receded a few paces, and the -police-officers announced who they were, and demanded a surrender. -Smithers unfortunately pressed forward in the direction in which -Thistlewood had retreated, into one of the small rooms over the -coach-house, when Thistlewood drew back his arm, in which there was a -sword, and made a thrust at the unfortunate man, Smithers, who received -a wound near his heart, and, with only time to exclaim, “Oh! God!” he -fell a lifeless corpse into the arms of Ellis. Ellis, seeing this blow -given by Thistlewood, immediately discharged a pistol at him, which -missed its aim. Great confusion followed; the lights were struck out; -the officers were forced down the ladder, which was so precipitous, -being almost perpendicular, that they fell, and many of the party -followed them. - -“Thistlewood, among the rest, came down the ladder; and, not satisfied -with the blood of one person, he shot at another of the officers as he -came down the ladder, and pressed through the stable, cutting at all -who attempted to oppose him, and made his escape out into John-street, -the military not having yet arrived; and he was no more seen at that -time, except with a sword in his hand in the Edgware-road. By the other -persons an equally desperate resistance was made. - -“Conscious of the evil purpose for which they had assembled, they -waited not to know on what charge they were about to be apprehended; -but instantly made a most desperate resistance. Ings, Davidson, and -Wilson, were particularly desperate, each, I believe, firing at some of -the officers or military, who had only come to the ground on hearing -the report of the fire-arms, not having been previously directed to the -exact spot. - -“Notwithstanding the resistance, however, which they so desperately -made, and in which resistance Thistlewood, Tidd, Davidson, Ings, and -Wilson took a most active part, by attacking the officers and soldiers, -the whole of the conspirators were, at length, fortunately overcome, -and eventually eleven of them secured. Not on that night, however, -for three out of the eleven for the time escaped, namely Thistlewood, -Brunt, and Harrison. The officers, however, not only secured on that -night the eight men, but various articles of fire-arms, numerous -weapons, and certain combustibles. - -“The prisoner Brunt, gentlemen, one of those who escaped, returned -that night to his own house. He was accompanied by another man, and -his own boots were in such a state, as not to fail to excite the -attention of some persons in the house. His boy (an apprentice, named -Hale) soon learned, from the conversation which passed between his -master and the man, that they had just escaped from Cato-street, and -Brunt expressed a belief that his person had not been discovered. -The prisoner, gentlemen, remained home the whole of the night, but -early on the morning following, he called to him the apprentice boy -I have named, and asked him as to his knowledge of some street in -the Borough, where he wanted to convey some baskets. These were all -carefully packed up, and it is a remarkable circumstance, which will -be spoken to in evidence, that so anxious was he for the concealment -of its contents, that one of the baskets was secured with the apron of -his wife! Gentlemen, the prisoner now thought all secure; but he had -scarcely effected his plan, and retired into another room, previous to -despatching the baskets, when the officers entered the house and seized -him. This, you may suppose, was not a little surprising to Brunt; for, -most material would it have been to him to have the baskets removed. -Upon searching these, gentlemen, were found a number of hand-grenades, -fire-balls, and other articles of destruction. Upon their discovery, -Brunt for some time affected ignorance of the thing, but he was told it -was of no use. - -“The prisoner at the bar, Thistlewood, who also escaped on the -night of the 23d, retired not to his own house, however, but to an -obscure lodging in White-street, where he thought to conceal himself. -Information, however, soon reached the police-office, Bow-street, of -his retreat, and early the next morning, a strong party of officers, -headed by Bishop, were sent to apprehend him. Upon their arrival at -the place, every precaution was, of course, taken to prevent an alarm; -while the officers, at the same time, knowing the desperate sort of -character they had to contend with, were equally guarded to resist any -attack which might be made upon them. They proceeded to search the -house, beginning with the top and descending to the lower rooms. They -then observed a small room on the ground-floor, the door of which was -locked, and Bishop demanded the key, which he procured; and knowing -from what had taken place, the determined desperation of this man, he -opened the door as softly as he could, and perceived by some slight -light that came through two or three holes in the window-shutters, -the person of Thistlewood lying on a turn-down bed. The moment he -opened the door, Thistlewood put his head up, and Bishop immediately -discovered him, and he immediately threw himself upon him, to prevent -mischief. He then said, he should make no resistance, and on being -taken out of bed, it was discovered that he had been laying in his -breeches and stockings. Gentlemen, by these means the prisoner at the -bar was taken; and thus ends, in point of fact, the evidence which will -be adduced before you. - -“Gentlemen, I have now to state to you, at the suggestion of a learned -friend, a fact which I had almost forgotten. It is material for you to -know, that on the 22d February, the conspirators held a consultation -at the house of Brunt. Every thing was, on this occasion considered -as finally arranged. I have already told you, it was their plan to -set fire to various parts of the metropolis, and among other places, -the barracks in King-street were fixed upon, not only because troops -would be there, but because Harrison, who had been, I am sorry to -say, in his Majesty’s service, was acquainted with the situation of -the building, and pointed out the means by which it could be easily -fired; and thus the soldiers, who would have retired to rest, would -be unable to accoutre themselves or their horses. But this is not -all, gentlemen; for at this very consultation, Thistlewood sat down -and wrote two proclamations, in anticipation of the success of his -diabolical schemes, and which proclamations were upon that success to -be issued. But you will observe, gentlemen, it was not considered by -the prisoner duly official to write these proclamations on paper, and -Hale (the apprentice of Brunt) was sent in search of parchment. This -being procured, he wrote an address to the following effect, intended -for the people generally:-- - - -PROCLAMATION. - -“YOUR TYRANTS ARE DESTROYED! - -“_The Friends of liberty are desired to come forward and -support the Provisional Government, which is now sitting._” - - -“So that, Gentlemen, if any doubt could be entertained of these men’s -ulterior designs not being confined to the destruction of his Majesty’s -Ministers, this proclamation, written by Thistlewood, would put it -beyond all doubt. He wrote two or three of these. He read them aloud -to the party assembled, and told them that they were to be stuck up -where the houses were on fire, that the people might see it. Afterwards -he sat down, and endeavoured to compose another proclamation, which -was to be issued to the soldiers, and that contained an offer to the -soldiers, calling on them to join the friends of Liberty; promising -them twenty pounds each to carry them home, and that they should be -rewarded with full pay and a pension for life!! These proclamations, -Gentlemen, were read aloud by Thistlewood to the conspirators, and they -were unanimously approved. Some of them, I should tell you, were to be -posted as convenient as possible to every barrack or public place which -might be set fire to or destroyed. Thistlewood himself carried the -proclamations from the house of Brunt to Cato-street. - -“And now, Gentlemen, having stated these facts, let me pause to ask -you, whether, if I prove them in evidence, you can come to any other -conclusion than that the prisoner who stands before you, is guilty? -What answer, I will ask, can be given to such evidence as this, and -if no answer can be given in evidence, what answer can be given -in reason? It may be urged, in a general sense, that such schemes -and such plans as the facts I have related to you disclose, ought -scarcely to be credited in a Court of Justice. This may be inferred -from the circumstance of heated men with heated passions conceiving -and proposing the adoption of plans, wild and visionary, and in fact -wholly impracticable. In this case, however, such a principle did not -exist; for here were long laid regular plans, extensive schemes, and -the most abundant preparations, to effect a wicked purpose. And will -not desperate and designing men, infuriated by their passions either -influence others to the accomplishment of such plans, or be worked upon -by them themselves. Look then, Gentlemen, to the facts of the case -yourselves. You will view them as calm and sober men, and in doing -so, you will perceive such a system and such an adroitness towards -the execution of that system, that their object requires but little -solution. - -“Gentlemen, it is not your duty to consider whether the schemes in -question were wild and visionary, but whether they had for their object -an illegal or wicked purpose; and if illegal, and that towards the -execution of their plans they took but one step, they have then done -that which renders them amenable to the offended laws of their country. -If these arguments, Gentlemen, won’t avail, what then may not be urged -for the prisoner? But you will also be told that accomplices are not to -be believed on their oath in a Court of Justice. I contend, however, -that they should; and if it was not permitted to accomplices in guilt -to give evidence for the purposes of justice, then the blackest and -foulest crimes would be daily committed, and go unpunished. But it is -not the law of England, alone, to hear the evidence of an accomplice. -It is the law of reason also, and has been the law of all ages and -nations. I admit that you should watch with the greatest caution -and jealousy the testimony of an accomplice. You should weigh his -story well, and see whether it be confirmed by the more indifferent -witnesses. Not confirmed in every part, for then his evidence would not -be required at all: but in certain collateral parts which may be found -to correspond with the other testimony. If therefore, Gentlemen, an -accomplice is produced before you, and you believe a part of what he -relates, you are bound in a great measure to believe that the whole of -what he tells you is true. - -“No man, or set of men, who had ever conceived such plans as I have -laid before you, could have so conceived them without an intention of -pursuing them. The plans, therefore, at least for some time, could be -known only to themselves and to their God. I say then that the evidence -of an accomplice is not only highly necessary, but even laudable; for -if you resist such a principle, the more dark will be the crime, the -more secret the scheme, and the more wicked the purpose. As I told you -before, Gentlemen, it has long been the law of England to receive the -evidence of an accomplice, and even in cases of murder, it has proved -most salutary in the administration of justice. - -“I will call a witness before you,Gentlemen, named Adams, an -accomplice, as you will find, and he being in the full confidence of -the conspirators, will prove to you the nature of all their proceedings -from time to time, and of the different plans and communications -which were made between him and them. I will call another man to you, -Gentlemen, who was the first to make known the diabolical plans of the -conspirators, to my Lord Harrowby; but this man was not much known to -them, nor did he therefore rank high in their councils. - -“This man in fact, when he heard the dreadful plan related of visiting -his Majesty’s ministers with destruction and death, his heart -shuddered, his conscience smote him, and he could hold out no longer. -Some men, you know, have very strong minds, and are not to be deterred -from the most wicked purpose. Others are less firm, and more easily -shaken in the accomplishment of a cruel or immoral design. The witness -whom I shall produce to you, Gentlemen, and whose name is Hiden, is one -of this description. - -“A third witness I shall produce to you, is an individual who was -rather more in confidence with the conspirators. His name is Dwyer, -and you will find that Thistlewood and Davidson applied to him for -his advice and assistance towards the execution of their murderous -purpose. You will even find that they solicited his aid on the very -day in which that purpose was to be put into execution. This witness, -however, horror-struck at the intended massacre, and feeling it to be -his bounden duty, ran almost instantly and communicated the fact to -others. He first communicated it to his wife, and next to an officer -in the army, named James, with a view that it might be immediately -conveyed to his Majesty’s ministers. This, under the special order of -Providence, was done. - -“And now let me again ask you, Gentlemen, is this testimony to be -rejected? Surely it never can by enlightened men such as you are. But -this even does not furnish my case for the prosecution; for I assure -you it does not rest upon the testimony of Adams, Hiden, and Dwyer; -but there are facts in this case which, I fear, the prisoner will -not be able to answer. Why, I would ask, were these men assembled in -Cato-street, and why at night? There were none of them related to -each other, yet they were all armed with deadly weapons, and found in -close deliberation in an obscure stable. There were also found there -a quantity of destructive grenades and fire-balls, together with a -large portion of ammunition. But this is not all. At the houses of two -others of the conspirators, namely, Brunt and Tidd, there were found -similar articles of destruction, particularly ammunition. The weight -found of the latter, gentlemen, amounted to between eleven and twelve -hundred pounds; and I would ask, in the name of God, what object could -these men have had in the possession of such a quantity of ammunition? -Surely it could not even be for an individual murder! No, gentlemen, it -was the destruction of his Majesty’s ministers in the first place, the -burning and levelling of public barracks and edifices in the next, and -finally, the establishment of a revolution, and the appointment of a -Provisional Government. - -“These men, Gentlemen, could never have been unfriendly towards -ministers as individuals. It must have been a hatred of them in the -character of their office alone, and their design was more particularly -levelled at Lord Harrowby, because his Lordship was President of the -Council. Can you doubt, that after this dreadful blow was made, and -it had succeeded, that it was the intention of these conspirators to -have established a provisional government, and thus spread anarchy -and confusion around. In fact, that was the eventual blow meant to be -carried into execution. I say, therefore, that even if the learned -counsel for the prisoners were to contend most successfully against -the evidence of the accomplices, the facts I shall produce to you by -other testimony, will answer the purposes of this just and necessary -prosecution. - -“What was the conduct of the prisoners when they were discovered in -Cato-street? I want not, Gentlemen, by a repetition of this term, to -inflame your minds: but it will be extremely important for you to -remember, that when the officers entered the loft there, and said, ‘we -are officers,’ they submitted not to their authority, but resisted them -even in the most ferocious manner, and one officer, as you have before -heard, unfortunately lost his life. The prisoner at the bar, however, -is not under trial for that offence, nor should the fatal circumstance -operate in the present case against him. But I must again ask you, what -became of the prisoner on the 23d, the intended night of blood and -slaughter? Why he flies from the desperate scene, not to his own home, -as you have already been told, but to an obscure place of concealment. -These, then, Gentlemen, are the facts of this momentous case; and once -more I ask you, what possible conclusion can you draw from such facts, -if they be supported in evidence? - -“Gentlemen, I repeat it, that this is a momentous and important -case, and if these plots of the conspirators, and of the prisoner in -particular, be proved to have existed--if the means had been used which -I have described to you for effecting the nefarious and diabolical -plans they had formed, then I call upon you, in the name of justice, -to give that verdict which will best satisfy the laws of your country, -and tend to protect the lives of your fellow-creatures. Commiseration -(if I may use the term) towards a prisoner, I never should withhold; -and God forbid, Gentlemen, that you should not give to the man at the -bar the advantage of every, even the slightest, circumstance of doubt -which may arise in his favour. If these doubts also should predominate, -it will be your duty to acquit the prisoner; but if, on the other hand, -the facts which I have laid before you be substantiated, and you feel -in your consciences that the charge is made out, it will then become -your painful but bounden duty to convict him. Should these facts, I -say, for the last time, be brought home to the prisoner, it will then -be your duty, as men, as citizens, and as fathers--as men desirous of -maintaining the laws, and of acting under the solemn obligation of your -oaths, to pronounce him guilty.” - -The learned gentleman’s speech occupied the attention of the Jury for -nearly two hours. - -Before the first witness for the prosecution was put into the box, all -the prisoners named in the indictment were brought up, with the view, -we suppose, of having an opportunity of hearing the evidence, it being -principally the same which is to be adduced against most of them. They -entered the Court with much apparent indifference. - -Davidson and Ings were particularly remarked for the calm indifference -with which they surveyed the Bench and the spectators around them. - -During the examination of Adams, some of the prisoners whispered -together. Thistlewood throughout preserved the most perfect composure. - -The first witness called was - -ROBERT ADAMS, examined by the Solicitor-General.--I live at No. 4, -in Hole-in-the-Wall-passage, Brooks’-market. I am a shoemaker. I was -in the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards. It is 18 years last Christmas -since I left them. I knew Brunt at Cambray, in France, he went then by -the name of Thomas Morton, it is 18 years ago since I first knew him. -I know Thistlewood. I knew him first on the 16th of January last. He -then lived in Stanhope-street, Clare-market. I was introduced to him by -Brunt and Ings. I saw him at his own place. We had some conversation -together. - -Here Mr. Adolphus objected to the witness mentioning any thing of the -conversation which passed on that occasion. The crime against the -prisoner was charged in the reign of his present Majesty, and against -his crown and dignity, and no act of the prisoners in the late reign -ought to be adduced. - -Lord Chief-Justice Abbot said, the Court might hear of the commencement -of the transaction, as connected with what had occurred in the present -reign. - -The examination of the witness was continued. - -When I went in, Brunt said to Thistlewood, This is the man I was -speaking to you about. Thistlewood said, “You were once in the -Life-Guards?” I said, “No, I was not, I originally belonged to the -Blues.” Thistlewood said, “You are a good swordsman?” I said, “I could -use a sword to defend myself; but I could not use it very expert, as -I had not used any arms for a long time.” Thistlewood said, there was -no one who was worth 10_l._ who was worth any thing for the good of -his country. As to the shopkeepers of London, they were all a set of -aristocrats together, and were all working under the same system of -government. He should glory to see the day that all the shops were -shut up, and well plundered. He then alluded to Mr. Hunt, and said, -he (Hunt) was a d----d coward, and were he (Thistlewood) to go to -Whitehall, he was sure he would find his (Hunt’s) name there, as a spy -to government. He then turned the conversation to Cobbett, and said, he -was equally the same as Hunt, and for all his writings, he had no doubt -he was also a spy. This ended the conversation then. I was afterwards -confined for debt in Whitecross-street Prison. The next interview I -had with Thistlewood was on the 16th, at the White Hart public-house. -It was in a room in the back yard. Thistlewood was present, and Ings, -Brunt, and Hall, and before they broke up, Tidd. On the 17th I went to -prison, and remained fourteen days there. I came out on Sunday, the day -after the death of the King. I saw Thistlewood on the Monday evening -following. I saw him in the same floor in the house where Brunt lived, -in a back room. This was in Fox-court, Gray’s Inn-lane. There were -Brunt, Ings, Hall, and Davidson, present. There was nothing particular -took place that night. To the best of my recollection, I met them next -on the Wednesday, (by them he meant Thistlewood, Brunt, Davidson, -Harrison, and Ings,) I had a conversation-- - -Mr. Curwood here objected to the witness speaking to what then -occurred, as no over-act was set forth in the indictment on that day. -It merely referred to a meeting on the 16th, and at divers other times. - -Lord Chief-Justice Abbott observed, that the present mode was the -invariable form of such indictments, and no objection was ever made -to it. If all the particulars of overt-acts were set forth, it would -occasion a great prolixity.--The objection was over-ruled. - -Witness continued--I went into the room and saw a number of pike -staves, and Thistlewood wanted to have them ferruled. Thistlewood -then asked why Bradburn (the prisoner) was not present, and he added -that Bradburn was intrusted with money to purchase ferrules, and was -not satisfied lest he should not buy them. The staves were green, and -seemed as if they had just come from the country. Thistlewood said he -would not give a damn for a man who would spend the money in such a -way. I do not recollect any thing further then. The meetings were held -twice a-day from thence to the 23d of February. The room was hired -by Brunt for Ings; Brunt said so. I remember one circumstance that -occurred: one evening, about ten days before the Cato-street business, -I went in and saw Harrison, Thistlewood, and Brunt. Harrison said, he -had been speaking to one of the horse-guards, and he told him, that -the whole of them would be down at Windsor at the King’s funeral; and -Harrison said, this would be a good opportunity to do something that -night (the night of the funeral.) Thistlewood said it was a good place, -and added, that if they could get the two pieces of cannon in Gray’s -Inn-lane, and the six pieces in the Artillery-ground, they could so -help themselves as to have possession of London before morning; and he -said, that when the news should reach Windsor, the soldiers would be -so tired as not to be able, when they came back to London, to do any -thing; but that by activity some might go to Hyde-park, and prevent -any person or messenger from going to Windsor. He also said, that -they should go over the water and take the telegraph, to prevent any -communication with Woolwich. - -He then said that they should form a Provisional Government, and -send to the sea-ports, to prevent any gentlemen from leaving England -without passports. He particularly mentioned to send to Dover, -Brighton, Margate, and Ramsgate, and he most particularly mentioned -Brighton--not that he thought the new King would be there, or at the -funeral. He said the present family had inherited the throne long -enough, and it was no use for the present King to think of being -crowned. Brunt and Ings came in after this, and Thistlewood mentioned -to them what passed; but they said that nothing would satisfy them but -their plan of assassination. They had talked at a former meeting of -this plan of assassination. Two or three of them had drawn out a plan -of assassinating his Majesty’s Ministers at the first public dinner -they had. They talked of assassination at every one of their meetings. -I could not say there were pikes in the room before this. I met them on -Saturday, the 19th of February, at eleven or twelve in the forenoon. -I saw Thistlewood, Davidson, Brunt, Harrison, Ings, and Hall. They -were all set round the fire, and seemed in a conversation betwixt -themselves. They all got up and turned round, and said, “It is agreed, -if nothing turns out before next Wednesday night, next Wednesday we -will go to work.” It was said they were all sworn that they would not -wait any longer. - -Thistlewood proposed they should meet the following morning at nine, to -draw out a plan to go by. Thistlewood said to Brunt, “You had better -go round this afternoon and mention it, in order to have the committee -to-morrow.” Brunt said, he did not think he should be able to go, as he -had some work to do, but he would go on the next morning, and perhaps -he might see some of them: it was not necessary to bring a great many. -Brunt appeared to be leaving the room then, and Thistlewood called -to him, and said--“O, Brunt, it will be highly necessary for those -that come to-morrow morning to bring fire-arms with them, in case any -officers should come up.” On which Brunt said, “D--n my eyes, if any -officer should come in here, the time is so near now, I would run him -through the body. I would murder him here sooner than we should be -discovered.” - -On the next morning I went there about eleven o’clock. It was a little -dark in my eyes when I went in after the snow. There were Thistlewood, -Brunt, Harrison, Cooke, Bradburn, Tidd, Edwards, and Wilson, myself, -and another. William Cooke, on looking round the room, said, “There -are twelve in the room, and I think it enough to form a committee.” -Thistlewood proposed that Tidd should take the chair. Tidd took the -chair, and sat with a pike in his hand. Thistlewood was on his right -and Brunt on his left. Thistlewood said, “Gentlemen, you all know -what we are met for;” and then he turned to the door, as if unwilling -to mention it, and said, “the west-end job.” Brunt then said, “D--n -my eyes, name it.” On which Thistlewood again said, “Gentlemen, we -are come to the determination to do this job, that we were talking -about so long, and as we find there is no probability of meeting them -(Ministers) altogether, we shall, if no opportunity of doing them -altogether occurs, take them separately, at their own houses, and do -as many as we can. If we can only get three or four at a time we must -do them.” He also said, “I suppose we can take forty or fifty men to -do this west-end job; and I propose to take the two pieces of cannon -in Gray’s Inn-lane, and the six pieces in the Artillery-ground.” He -proposed Cooke to lead this party, and he himself would command. He -said they should take the Mansion-house as the seat of the Provisional -Government. - -They were next to take the Bank of England; and Palin should be the -man who should set fire to the barracks, and several parts of London. -This was the principal part of the plan, but if any thing else occurred -before Wednesday, they would think of it. Brunt was then going to -put a proposition which he had for assassinating the Ministers, but -Thistlewood said, his plan should be first put from the chair, as they -were nearly all agreed on it. He desired the chairman to ask if any of -them had any thing to say, and that they should say it; but none of -them saying any thing, the plan was carried unanimously. Brunt then -came forward with his plan, which was, that they should assassinate -as many of his Majesty’s Ministers as possible; that they should draw -lots to assassinate some of the Ministers; and whoever the fellow was -on whom the lot fell, he should murder the Minister, or be murdered -himself; and that if any man failed in the attempt, he (Brunt) swore by -all that was good, he should be run through the body. On which I got -up, and said, “Mr. Brunt, do you not think it possible for a man to -attempt such a thing, and not succeed in it; and do you mean to say he -should be run through the body for not doing it?” To which he said, “I -do not: if a man should attempt it and not succeed, he is a good man; -but if he shews any cowardice, he deserves to be run through the body.” -This proposition of Brunt’s was then put to the meeting. - -Soon after this, Palin, Potter, and Strange, came in. They were -welcomed, and were desired to sit near the fire, as they were wet. -Palin said, “There is one thing I want to know; if it can be done, it -will be a great assistance to our plan. I want to know what men are to -perform each part of the plan, and who are to take the cannon. I want -to know, in calling upon the men, whether I can tell them in part or -whole what is to be done.” The chairman said, “I don’t see where the -harm is of telling what is to be done.” Mr. Palin, seeing that he had -that liberty, sat down quite satisfied. Nothing regular was transacted -in the chair after that. Mr. Thistlewood said, “O, Brunt, that is well -thought of, as Palin is here: you and Palin go, and see if the house -near Furnival’s Inn is fit for setting fire to.” They went (Palin and -Brunt), and reported it would make a d----d good fire. Thistlewood -talked of getting means for a treat on Tuesday and Wednesday. Brunt -said, he would be d----d, but he would contribute the only 1_l._ note -he had earned for a long time. They proposed the White-Hart for the -house. Thistlewood proposed his own room; but afterwards thought it -would not do, as it might lead to suspicion. This was all on the Sunday -morning. On Monday morning they met again. Witness then told them -what Hobbes told him on Sunday night, of inquiries made respecting -radical meetings at his house, and that information of it was given at -Bow-street office, and at Lord Sidmouth’s office. Harrison turned round -on witness like a lion, and said “Adams, you have acted d----d wrong.” -Brunt said so too, and added, “Whatever you have to communicate, you -have no business to communicate but to me and to Thistlewood.” Witness -said, it concerned all, and he should tell all of it. They repeated the -same observations. They talked of calling a meeting of the Mary-le-bone -Union, as they wanted some money; and Brunt said, it would be of use -for that purpose. - -Witness and Potter went in the evening to the White-Hart; Palin and -Bradburn joined them. Next morning they were there too, and with them -Thistlewood, Tidd, Ings, Harrison, and Brunt. Edwards came, and told -them there was to be a cabinet dinner next night. Thistlewood said, -he did not think it was true. A newspaper was sent for, and read -by Thistlewood. He read that they were to dine at Lord Harrowby’s, -Grosvenor-square. Brunt then said, “I’ll be d----d if I don’t believe -there is a God. I have often prayed that he would bring all these -thieves together, in order to destroy them. He has answered my prayer.” -Thistlewood proposed, that they should form a committee and sit -immediately. Witness took the chair. - -Thistlewood proposed immediately a fresh plan to be formed respecting -the assassination. Witness expressed a hope they had paid due -consideration to what he said yesterday. All got into confusion. -Harrison said, “D--n that man who attempted to throw cold water on the -plan, but he would run him through with the sword.” Witness left the -chair, and Tidd took it. Brunt moved that a watch should be set on the -Earl of Harrowby’s house that night. The object was to see if any men -or soldiers went into Earl Harrowby’s. Two were to go at six, to be -relieved at nine, and they were to continue till twelve. The watch was -to be resumed at four next morning. - -Thistlewood said he hoped they would be satisfied that no officers or -soldiers went in. They would do what they had determined to-morrow -evening; and added, that it would answer their purpose much better than -to attack their houses separately, when only two or three could be got -together. Here they would have fourteen or sixteen; a rare haul to -murder them all. “I propose,” continued he, “when the door is opened, -to rush in, seize the servants, present pistols, and threaten to kill -them if they make any noise; two to take the entrance to the stair -upwards, and two others to the stair to the lower part of the house, -armed with blunderbusses and hand-grenades; and if any attempt to pass, -to throw hand-grenades and destroy them all. Others are to go where the -ministers are to murder them all. If there shall be any good men, kill -them for keeping bad company.” All agreed. Ings said, he would go in -first, with a brace of pistols and knives. The two swordsmen would cut -off all their heads; and Castlereagh’s and Sidmouth’s should be flung -in a bag by themselves. He added, “I shall say, my Lords, I have got -as good men here as the Manchester yeomanry; enter citizens, and do -your duty.” Harrison and witness were to be the swordsmen. After the -execution of Lord Harrowby, at his house, Harrison proposed that some -should go to King-street horse-barracks, and set fire to the premises -by throwing fire into the straw in the stable. - -Harrison and Wilson were to go to Gray’s Inn-lane, and, in case they -could not carry the cannon out of the military-school, they were to -wait till a party came to assist them. Thence they were to proceed to -the artillery barracks, to assist Cooke in taking the cannon there. If -they found their strength sufficient to proceed, they were to advance -to the Mansion-house, and plant three of the cannon on each side of the -Mansion-house, and to demand the Mansion-house. If it were refused, -they were to fire, and then it would be given up. The Mansion-house was -to be made the seat for the Provisional Government. - -The Bank of England was next to be taken. They would take the books, -which would enable them to see further into the villany of the -government. The further parts of the plan were delayed till Wednesday. -They agreed upon a sign and countersign. The word was “Button;” the man -who came up was to say B-u-t; and the other was to reply t-o-n.--Being -asked as to the watch, witness said, There are other things which I -wish to state. I went there next morning, and found Edwards, Ings, and -Hall, making fusees for the hand-grenades. Davidson went on the watch -at six. Witness and Brunt went to relieve the watch. They saw Davidson -in the square, on the watch. They went into a public-house, where -Brunt played at dominos with a young man. - -About eleven they went out into the square, and walked for some time, -till witness got ashamed of himself. They went away at twelve o’clock. -He went next day to Fox-court, between two and three. He found Brunt -there. Strange came in, and in a few minutes afterwards two more -strangers. Strange and another were trying the flints. They went into -a back room to avoid the strangers, where witness saw cutlasses, -blunderbusses, &c. Thistlewood, Ings, and Hall came in. Thistlewood -said, “Well, my lads, this looks like something to be done.” He touched -witness on the shoulder, and asked how he was. Witness replied that -he was very unwell, and in low spirits. Thistlewood sent for beer and -gin. Thistlewood then wanted some paper to write bills on. Witness -said, cartridge paper would do. The paper was brought; and table and -chair were got. The bills were then written; they were to be set on the -houses, to let the people know what had been done. Thistlewood read as -part, “Your tyrants are destroyed--the friends of liberty are called -upon to come forward--the Provisional Government is now sitting. James -Ings, Secretary. February 28.” Thistlewood was much agitated, and could -write only three. Another bill was written, which was an address to -the soldiers. Another person was employed to write it, and Thistlewood -dictated to him.--Witness said he would tell what he had seen. - -Mr. Adolphus objected to this, and contended, that the writing alone -was evidence. - -Witness could not say what became of the papers, and he had not seen -them since. - -Mr. Solicitor-General now stated, that notice had been given to produce -the writings. - -Witness said that this second kind of bill was not finished,--they -could not agree as to the terms. - -Mr. Adolphus renewed his objection to the question what Thistlewood -dictated to be written. - -Lord Chief-Justice Abbot.--In whose hands had you last seen the paper? - -Witness did not know him. - -His Lordship said, some doubts were entertained by some part of the -Court. - -Mr. Solicitor-General said, he would not press it. - -Witness went on.--Ings had two black belts on, one for two pistols, the -other for cutlasses. He had two bags on his shoulders, like soldiers -haversacks. He looked at himself and said, he was not complete yet, -he had forgot his steel. He took out a large knife, and brandished -it about, and said, it would cut off the heads of Castlereagh and -Sidmouth, and it would be thought a great deal of at some future time. -The knife was a large broad knife, twelve inches long, the hand bound -round with wax to keep a firm hold of it. Others were busy at other -arms. They began to leave the room about half-past four or five, to go -about the business. - -Palin came in half an hour before. Palin said they ought to be aware -of what they were about, and to think within themselves whether they -were to do their country service or not, and whether the assassination -would be countenanced by their country. If they thought their country -would join them, then the man who flinched should be run through on the -spot. Unless they came to this determination they would do no good. -A tall man came in, and asked what the business they were about was. -Witness had never seen him before. The tall man said, if they were -to serve their country, he was their man, and if any one was afraid -of his life, he ought to have nothing to do with such a concern as -that. Thistlewood was then gone. Brunt was told, that inquiries were -made by some who were present, as to the plan they were about, Brunt -said, that was not the room for telling that; but they should go -with him, and they would know. Brunt promised spirits; and the tall -man cautioned against drunkenness, as ruinous to a cause like that. -They went along the street, two and two, and at some distance, that -they might not be observed. There was a cupboard in the room used for -swords, hand-grenades, and flannel bags for cartridges, one of which -was full. The rest of the arms were in Tidd’s room; that was the depôt. -Thistlewood was always in a hurry to carry every thing that was got -ready into the depôt, lest any officer should see it. Witness carried -a brass-barrelled blunderbuss. There were pikes made of old files. -Witness as he went on missed all his associates. He returned back, and -met Brunt, who returned back with him along the Edgeware-road, till -they met Thistlewood. - -They went altogether to the stable in Cato-street. Witness stayed -behind till Harrison came up, and made him go in. He saw there, -Davidson and Wilson below, Thistlewood, Ings, Hall, Bradburn, Strange, -Cooper, the tall man, and others above. There were, as Thistlewood -calculated, at last, eighteen above and two below. There was a bench -above and arms on it. Some beer was standing on the table. There -were lights. There was a chest. Before Tidd came, Thistlewood went -out for some time. Witness heard a deal of talk below, and he found -Thistlewood, Brunt, Harrison, Davidson, and Wilson. They spoke of -the good news, they heard that the carriages were arriving at Lord -Harrowby’s as fast as they could. Witness went up to the loft, and saw -Thistlewood and Brunt much agitated. They spoke of Tidd’s absence. -Brunt pledged his word that he would come. He soon afterwards came. -Thistlewood said, “I hope you will not give up what you are going to -do; if you do, this will be another Despard’s business.” He then -counted twenty persons, and said that was enough, fourteen would be -sufficient to go into the room, and the other six would take care of -the servants and doors. They then set apart fourteen. - -The gin bottle was then started. Thistlewood said, if Lord Harrowby had -sixteen servants, that was nothing, as they would not be prepared. A -noise was heard below. Thistlewood took a candle and looked down to see -who they were, and then set down the candle quite confused, according -to witness’s judgment. Two officers took command of the room, holding -small pistols, and said, “A pretty nest there is of you. We have got -a warrant to apprehend you all, and hope you will go peaceably.” A -man who was on the step of the ladder said, “Let me come forward.” -This was the man murdered. A group of persons had got into the little -room, and then came forward, and one of them stretched forward an arm, -witness saw nothing in it, and another presented a pistol. The man -fell. It was impossible for him to give a particular account of the -other transactions. He got away, went home, and was apprehended on the -Friday, and remained in custody since. He identified Davidson, Wilson, -Brunt, Ings, Cooper, Harrison, Tidd. There were two he did not know. -They were again called forward, but he said he could not swear to them. -He was sent forward near the dock: but he said he did not know them. -One of them, he said, he saw at the meeting. - -Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.--He went not there to assassinate his -Majesty’s Ministers. His legs carried him there. His outward intent -to all appearance was for that; but his inward intent was against it. -He was kept to it, because Brunt said, whoever forsook them would be -marked. He became acquainted with Brunt in Cambray, in 1816. He had -been a soldier years before. He was a shoemaker. He had never been -treasurer to a benefit society. He carried with him 40_l._ He thought -the money his own. He had never been charged with stealing it. He -was introduced to Thistlewood by his friend Brunt, to assassinate -his Majesty’s Ministers. That was the first object. He first gave -information on the Saturday after. It was indeed from compunction. -“My motive was, gentlemen of the Jury, I do assure you, that I made a -vow to God that I should tell the whole truth. I did indeed regard it -with horror. I felt compunctious visitings before I was in custody. It -was not because I felt my neck in danger, or because I thought it was -better eighteen should be hanged than myself.” The greatest number he -ever saw present was fifteen men. The greatest sum he saw was sixpence. -There was no collection of halfpence and pence for the newspaper. -Tidd’s was the depôt. He saw no muster-roll, and no cannon-ball. The -cannon were to be charged with cartridges, and a large hammer was to -be bought to strike down the tops of the iron palisades, as it was -thought they would do more execution than balls. The newspaper was -“The New Times.” Witness did not know whether it was correct. He had -seen nothing of Edwards since. He was employed to carry a sword, as -being expert at it. He was not sufficiently near to have killed the man -in the loft with the sword. His hand was not extended. He could tell -nothing of the proceedings that followed. He went away, and did not -deliver himself up, because he saw no officer. He went home to abide -the event. - -Re-examined in chief.--He said, the British army were at Cambray when -he became acquainted with Brunt there. - -Another witness was then called, but the Court and Jury were of -opinion, as it was half-past seven, that it was the best time for -adjourning. The Court was accordingly adjourned till nine o’clock on -Tuesday morning. - - -SECOND DAY.--TUESDAY, APRIL 18. - -The Court met this morning at nine o’clock, and the names of the Jury -having been called over, and Thistlewood and the other prisoners being -put to the bar, the evidence for the prosecution was continued. - -ELEANOR WALKER examined by Mr. Gurney.--I am servant to Henry Rogers: -he lives at No. 4, Fox-court, Gray’s-Inn-lane. We had a lodger named -Brunt. He occupied two rooms on the second floor. They were front -rooms. In January a lodger came, introduced by Brunt. This was a month -or five weeks before Brunt was taken up. He (Brunt) said the lodger -lately came from the country, and he wanted a room; and as we had -one to let, he wished him to have it. The room was unfurnished. He -paid three shillings a week for it. He (the lodger) said he might not -bring his goods in for a week or better. He never brought any in to my -knowledge. I do not think I should know him again. I do not remember -having heard him called by his name. The room he took was a two-pair -back room. - -This witness was not cross-examined. - -Re-called.--While this person occupied the room, I heard persons -frequently go up stairs. - -MARY ROGERS, the aunt and mistress of the last witness, examined by -Mr. Gurney.--The room was let by my maid while I was out. After the -lodger had been in the house for a week, I said to Mr. Brunt, “You -have brought a lodger.” He said, “Yes, I have, and I hope he will pay -you. I know nothing of the man, but seeing him at a public-house, and -seeing him want a room.” He said he was a butcher out of work. He paid -me for four or five weeks. I cannot say whether he ever slept there; -he did not to my knowledge. I and my maid in the evening saw three men -coming up stairs. The one in the middle was a black man. The light from -my room was on their faces. At other times I heard persons going up -stairs, but took no particular notice. - -This witness was not cross-examined. - -JOSEPH HALE, a young lad, the apprentice of Brunt, examined by Mr. -Gurney.--I am apprentice to Brunt. I have served two years and better -of my apprenticeship. I lived with him in Fox-court. I remember a -person coming to lodge there in January. His name was Ings, a butcher. -Brunt and he looked at the room. Brunt said, “It will do; go down and -give them a shilling.” After that Ings used to come to the room. The -key was mostly left in the front room, and Ings used to come there for -it. Persons used sometimes to come to the room before my master was -taken up. This was every evening. I saw different persons. They were -Ings, Tidd, Thistlewood, Bradburn, Edwards, Hall, Potter, and Strange. -I remember a man named Adams: he came. Davidson, the black man, came -also. Others used to come, but I do not recollect them. They used to -stay nearly about two hours. There was no furniture in the room that -ever I saw. They used to take chairs in, out of the front room. I did -not hear any of their conversation. They used to call Thistlewood -sometimes T., his initial, and sometimes Arthur. I once saw the door -of Ings’s room open, and saw some long poles, like branches of trees -cut rough; I suppose about twenty of them. I sometimes heard hammering -and sawing in the room. My master was taken on Thursday, the 24th of -February. On the Sunday before that there was a meeting in the room. -There were more that morning than ever I had seen come up before. -All the persons whom I have named were there that morning. After the -meeting broke up I saw Strange in my master’s room. There was no -meeting on the Monday evening. There was no meeting on Tuesday. On the -Wednesday there were several persons going in and out. Some of them -came into the front room, where I worked. They got some pistols, and -were putting new flints in them. There were five or six pistols. One of -the men said there were people overlooking them from the next house, -and Brunt told them to go to the back room. Strange and a man whom I -did not know were the men who had the pistols. I cannot say how many -I saw go in and out. I saw Thistlewood that day. In the afternoon he -asked me for a sheet of writing-paper. I gave him one. He took it, I -believe, into the back room. - -My master after this came out of the back room, and desired me to get -six sheets of cartridge paper. He gave me sixpence. I bought the paper -and gave it to him, and he took it into the back room. This was about -four or five in the afternoon. I heard people going down stairs between -five and six. My master was in and out several times. He went away -finally about six. There was a man went with him. It was not one of -the men I used to see there. A table had been taken that day from my -mistress’s room to the back room. I wanted the table, and went for it. -I knocked at the door, and Potter opened it. There were four or five in -the room besides Potter. After my master was gone, I saw Tidd between -seven and eight. Mrs. Brunt called him, and he came into her room. She -showed him a pike-head and a sword. She asked him what she should do -with them. She then gave them to him, and he took them out of the room -into the back room. After this I heard some persons go down stairs. -Tidd left a message, that if any persons called they should be sent -to the White Hart. Some persons did call on my master, and I went to -show them to the White Hart. Potter came, and he went. He knew the way -himself. There were three came to whom I shewed the way. - -My master came home that night at about nine o’clock. I observed his -dress was dirty. He appeared confused. I heard him say to his wife, it -was all up, or words to that effect. He said that where he had been, -a great many officers had come in. He said he had saved his life, and -that was all. Just as he said this, another man came in. I do not know -that man. Brunt shook hands with him, and asked him if he knew who had -informed. The man said, no. The man then said, he had had a dreadful -blow on the side, which knocked him down. Brunt then said, “There is -something to be done yet.” After this Brunt and the other man went -away together. Mrs. Brunt and I after this went to Ings’s room. I saw -several rolls of brown paper with tar in them. I saw only one pole -remaining. I saw something rolled up, and tied round with strings. I -understood them to be hand-grenades. I saw an iron pot belonging to -Brunt. My master came in about eleven o’clock. He told me to get up -in the morning as soon as I could and clean his boots. They were very -dirty. He called me in the morning at half past six, and when I got up -he asked me if I knew the Borough. I told him yes. He then asked if -I knew Snow’s-fields. I said no. He then went into the back room and -put the things out of the cupboard into two baskets; one of which was -afterwards put into a blue apron belonging to Mrs. Brunt. This apron -had before this been as a curtain in Ings’s room. - -My master told me that Potter lived in Snow’s fields. When we had the -baskets ready, two officers came in and took my master into custody. -I knew where Tidd lived. He lived in the Hole-in-the-Wall-passage, -Brooks’-market. Adams lived next door. - -Cross-examined by Mr. Adolphus.--My master is a journeyman shoemaker: -not a very poor man. Adams is also a shoemaker. Ings had the lodgings -five weeks. I believe they had meetings there every night. I thought -there were about twenty persons there on the Sunday. I know some of the -prisoners. Strange is a boot-seller--selling boots in a shop. Edwards -was an artist. Edwards was there very often: oftener than Adams--almost -every day. Hall was a journeyman tailor, I believe. I don’t know where -he lives. I cannot say how many persons were there at one time on -Wednesday. The baskets used by my master were rush baskets. As near as -I can guess there were about twenty poles. They were branches of trees -in a green raw state. I believe they kept a fire in Ings’s room. I do -not know whether the poles were cut up to light the fire or not. - -THOMAS SMART examined by Mr. Littledale.--I am a watchman of the parish -of St. George, Hanover-square. I was on watch on the south side of -Grosvenor-square, on Tuesday the 22d of February. I went there about -eight o’clock. About half-past eight I saw four suspicious men walking -the square. I thought they were after no good; one of them was a dark -man, and the other a tall man. I watched them. They were looking down -the areas. Charles Bissix’s box is at the west side of the square. - -Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.--It was not a very uncommon thing to see -suspicious men walking about. - -HENRY GILLAN examined by Mr. Bolland.--I am a servant to Mr. Whittle, -apothecary, at 15, Mount-street, Grosvenor-square. I sometimes use -the Rising-sun public-house. It is in Charles-street, which runs into -Grosvenor-square and Mount-street. I was there on Tuesday the 22d of -February. I saw that short man (pointing to the prisoner Brunt) there. -There was a tall man with him. They had some bread and cheese and -porter. There were dominos on the table, and the short man challenged -me to play with him. I played two games with him, and left the house -before ten, leaving them there. - -JOHN HECTOR MORRIS examined by the Attorney-General.--I am a journeyman -cutler to Mr. Underwood, in Drury-lane. I remember on Christmas-eve -a man brought a sword to my master’s shop. The man was habited like -a butcher. He drew the sword from under his smock-frock, without a -scabbard. He wished to have it ground sharp, particularly at the point. -He said to put the name of Inns on it; but I am hard of hearing, and it -might be Ings. He called for it in a few days. In about a fortnight he -brought another sword to have it sharpened in the same way. It was much -longer than the other. [Here the witness identified the prisoner Ings -as the man who brought the swords.] I should know the swords again. - -EDWARD SIMPSON examined by the Attorney-General.--I am a corporal major -of the 2nd Regiment of Life-Guards. I know a person named Harrison. He -was in the Guards. (Here he identified Harrison.) He was discharged in -1814. When I knew him, he was in King-street barracks, Portman-square. -He had an opportunity of knowing them. Part of the barracks looked into -Gloucester Mews. There was a loft with five windows looking into it. -There was hay and straw in that loft; the windows had been stopped up -since the Cato-street business. - -Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.--I don’t know how many men are in -Knightsbridge barracks; they would hold about 300. - -JAMES ADAMS examined by the Attorney-General.--I am a pawnbroker in -Berwick-street. I know the prisoner Davidson from his having pledged -things at my shop. He came on the 23d of February, in the morning, and -took a brass-barrelled blunderbuss out of pledge. - -This witness was not cross-examined. - -THOMAS HYDEN examined by Mr. Gurney.--I am a cow-keeper. I was formerly -a member of a shoemakers’ club. I knew Wilson there. I saw him a -few days before the 23d of February; he met me in the street, and -made a proposition to me. He asked me if I would be one of a party -to destroy his Majesty’s Ministers; he said they were waiting for a -cabinet dinner, and that all things were ready. He told me they had -a sort of things which I never saw; they were called by the name of -hand-grenades,--and, he said, he depended on me to be one. He said -that Mr. Thistlewood would be glad to see me, if I would be one. He -said, the use to be made of the hand-grenades was to be put under the -table, at the cabinet dinner, with the fuse alight, and those who -escaped were to be destroyed by the sword or some other weapon. He -also said that fires were to be lighted, and the town to be kept in -confusion for several days, till the thing became general. He named -some houses. Lord Harrowby’s, Lord Castlereagh’s, Lord Wellington’s, -Lord Sidmouth’s, the Bishop of London’s, and several others which I -do not remember. I told him I would make one. This was, I believe, -four or five days before the Cato-street business. Before that I -went to Lord Harrowby’s. I do not remember the day. I followed his -Lordship in the park. I gave him a note. On Wednesday, the 23d, I saw -Wilson again. I believe it was between four and five o’clock in the -afternoon. I met him in Manchester-street, Manchester-square. He said, -“Hyden, you are the very man I wanted to see.” I asked him what there -was going to be; and he said, there was to be a cabinet dinner at Lord -Harrowby’s, Grosvenor-square. He told me I was to go to the Horse and -Groom public-house, the corner of Cato-street. I was to go in there, -or otherwise I was to wait at the corner until I was _shoved_ into a -stable close by. I asked him the hour, and he said about half past -five or a quarter before six. I then asked him how many there were -to be, and he said twenty or thirty. I asked him, was that all there -was going to be? and he said, there was to be another party in the -Borough, another in Gray’s Inn-lane, and another in Gee’s-court, or -in the city. He said, all Gee’s-court were in it; but they would not -act till after the English began, as they had so often deceived them -before. Gee’s-court is inhabited by Irish. It is at the St. Giles’s -end of Oxford-street. He also said there was a gentleman’s servant -supporting them with money; and, if they would act on the subject, he -would give them a great deal more. He asked me if I had a gun; and I -said yes, but it was only a _rubbishing_ one. He then said they would -provide me with a gun, and something to work with. There were, he also -said, two pieces of cannon in Gray’s Inn-lane, which they could get by -breaking in a small door. He said there were four pieces of cannon in -the Artillery Ground, and they could be very easily taken, by killing -the sentinel. After they left Grosvenor-square, they were to meet near -the Mansion-house. I was told to come to my time, or the thing would be -done before I came. - -I went to John-street that evening; it was nearly seven o’clock. The -entrance to Cato-street is a little gateway from John-street. When I -got there I saw Wilson and Davidson; I had seen him (Davidson) before. -Davidson said I was come, and he asked me if I would go in. I said no, -as I was going somewhere else to look for some cream. He said if I -would go in, Mr. Thistlewood was there. I asked him what time I should -be there, and he said eight o’clock. If I were not there in time, he -said, I was to follow them down to Grosvenor-square, and, at the fourth -house from the corner, at the bottom of the square, I should find them. - -Cross-examined by Mr. Adolphus.--I am not certain whether the -first conversation I had with Wilson was before the Sunday, before -the Cato-street business. I am not quite certain. It was four -or five days before. I am not able to say what day I gave the -information to Lord Harrowby. It might be a day or two before I saw -Wilson in Manchester-street. The conversation with Wilson was in -Manchester-street; we were walking up and down the street. - -A note was here put into witness’s hand, which he said was the one -given by him to Lord Harrowby. It was in his own hand-writing. - -Cross-examined.--The reason why I gave the note to Lord Harrowby was, -because I could not see Lord Castlereagh.--I did not call at Lord -Castlereagh’s house, but I went three or four times near the house, -in order to see him. I did not see him, and then I gave the note to -Lord Harrowby. I am certain that in Wilson’s conversation with me, the -words, “His Majesty’s Ministers,” were used. - -The EARL of HARROWBY examined from the bench by the -Attorney-General.--I reside in Grosvenor-square, on the south side, -near Charles-street, next door to the Archbishop of York’s. I am a -Privy-Councillor, and one of his Majesty s Ministers. I am President -of the Council, and one of the Cabinet. On the 23d of February last, -I intended giving a cabinet dinner; I think it was on Wednesday, the -23d. Only those who compose the Cabinet are invited to Cabinet dinners. -I believe the invitations went out the latter part of the week before, -but my head servant can speak to that more correctly. Invitations were -sent to the Lord Chancellor; to the Earl of Liverpool, the First Lord -of the Treasury; to Mr. Vansittart, the chancellor of the Exchequer; -to Earl Bathurst, the Secretary of State for the Colonial department; -to Lord Sidmouth, the Secretary of State for the Home Department; to -Lord Castlereagh, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; the Duke -of Wellington, Master General of the Ordnance; Mr. Canning, the First -Commissioner of the India Board; Mr. Robinson, President of the Board -of Trade; Mr. B. Bathurst, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; Mr. -Wellesley Pole, the Master of the Mint; and the Earl of Mulgrave; all -these are Privy-Councillors. They are employed in the different offices -I have mentioned, and also form what is called the Cabinet. In common -parlance they are called his Majesty’s Ministers. On the Tuesday before -the intended dinner, I was riding in the Park without a servant. It -was about two o’clock. I went to a Council at Carlton-House. I am not -positive as to the hour. As I came near Grosvenor-gate a person met me, -and asked me if I was Lord Harrowby. I said, yes. He said he wished to -give a note to Lord Castlereagh, which was of considerable importance -to him and to myself. He then gave me a letter. After some further -conversation, he gave me a card, with his address. I saw the man again -by appointment on Wednesday morning in the ring, among the young -plantations in Hyde-Park. The dinner did not take place at my house -on Wednesday. The preparations went on as if the parties were to dine -together, until I wrote a note from the Earl of Liverpool’s to my head -servant, to say the Cabinet would not dine there. It would be seven, or -half past, at which the party would dine. - -[Illustration: - -_Wivell Del^t._ _Cooper Sculp._ - -JOHN MONUMENT.] - -Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.--I had some general knowledge of -some conspiracy, or something of the kind, going on before this. I -do not know a person named Edwards. We had some general information -a considerable time before this, that some plan was in agitation, -but we did not know the time at which it was to take place, or the -particulars. I will not say to two months. It was some considerable -time before this. - -JOHN BAKER examined by the Attorney-General.--I am butler to Lord -Harrowby. The cards of invitation were issued for the cabinet dinner on -the 18th, or 19th. It was about eight in the evening of the 23d when -I first knew that the Cabinet were not to dine at my Lord Harrowby’s. -The preparations for it went on till then. The Archbishop of York lives -next door to my Lord Harrowby’s. I can’t say whether his grace had -company on the 23d of February. I noticed several carriages draw up at -his door. - -JOHN MONUMENT examined by the Solicitor-General.--I am by trade a -shoemaker. I generally live near Brooks’-market, but I am now a -prisoner in the Tower. I know the prisoner Thistlewood. I met him at -the house of one Ford some weeks before the transactions of the 23d -of February. He afterwards called upon me at my lodgings. He was not -alone. Brunt was with him. He told me that he wanted to speak with me -in private. In consequence I went out of the room with him, my mother -and brother being at that time in the room with me. Brunt staid behind -when I went out. Thistlewood then said to me, “Great events are now -close at hand--the people are every where anxious for a change. He had -been promised support by a great many men, who had deceived him, but -he had now got men who would stand by him.” - -He then asked me if I had any arms. I said, “No, I had not.” He said, -that every man of them, that is, of those who were attached to him, -had arms, pikes, pistols, or sabres; and added, that I might buy a -pistol for four or five shillings. I said that I was too poor to buy -one. He replied, that if such were the case, he would see what could -be done for me. Brunt called upon me again in four or five days. He -said, that he could not stay long with me; there were several more men -of his trade waiting to see him on this business, and he must call on -them. I did not see him afterwards for some time. He called, however, -again upon me on the Tuesday previous to the 23d. I then told him -that I thought I had lost him, as he had staid away so very long. He -replied, that owing to the King’s death, an alteration had taken place -in their plans. I asked what those plans were. He said that I should -know them better at a meeting to be held the night afterwards, than -he could tell me. I asked him where the meeting was to be. He said at -Tyburn-turnpike. He did not tell me what was to be done there. - -I asked him if I was to see any persons there how I was to know them -as friends, and requested him to give me the word. Brunt then told -me, that if I saw any persons about, I was to say B-U-T; and if they -were friends, they would say T-O-N. He would, however, call on me the -following morning, and tell me more particulars. - -On the Wednesday afternoon, between four and five, he did call again: -he came by himself. He called me down stairs, and asked me if I was -ready to go. I said, “No, I have got some work to do, and it must be -done before I go.” He asked me how long it would be before it was -finished. I said, that it would be done about six o’clock. He then -said, that he could not wait for me so long--that I must therefore come -to the place appointed along with the man to whom he had introduced -me; that man’s name was Tidd. He charged me not to be later than six -o’clock, as Tidd had others as well as myself, to take with him to the -place of meeting. - -I went to Tidd’s at half-past six, who complained that many men had -disappointed him. We waited till seven, but no person came. Tidd then -went into a corner of the room, took out a large pistol, and stuck it -in a belt, which he wore round his waist. He also took out four or five -pike-heads, which he wrapped up in brown paper. He took also several -shafts, four or five feet long. We then went out, along Holborn, and -up Oxford-street. I asked him, in his room, where we were going. He -said to a room in a mews in John-street, Edgware-road. When we got into -Holborn, he gave me the pike-shafts, and told me to take care of them. -I asked him again, as we were going along, where we were going; and -wanted to know whether it was to the House of Commons. He said, “No, -there were too many soldiers near there.” I again pressed him on the -subject, and he said that they were going to Grosvenor-square, as there -was a cabinet dinner there that evening. I did not ask him any more -questions; for on his saying that, I was satisfied for what purpose -they were going. - -We then went to Cato-street. Under the archway I saw two men, whom Tidd -appeared to know. He spoke to them; and, after a few moments we all -went into the stable together. There were in the loft and stable about -twenty-four or twenty-five persons. I had not been there long when some -one proposed to count the numbers assembled. Thistlewood replied, that -there was no occasion to do so, as he knew that there were about four -or five and twenty persons in the room. There was a person in a brown -great coat sitting on a carpenter’s bench, who spoke of the impropriety -of going with so small a number to Lord Harrowby’s. Thistlewood -replied, there were quite enough of them. He only wanted thirteen to go -into the room, and supposing Lord Harrowby to have sixteen servants, -that number would be quite enough to master them. - -The man in the brown coat said, “After we have done, there will be a -crowd about the door, how are we to make our escape?” Thistlewood said, -“You know the larger body is already gone to arrange matters; we, the -smaller, are left to do the business.” Davidson then blamed the tall -man in the brown great coat for throwing cold water on the plan, and -added, that if he was afraid, he might as well go away. Brunt said, -“Rather than give up the business, I will go to the house and blow -it up, though I perish myself in the ruins, for you know we have got -that which can easily do it.” The man in the great coat then said, as -they were all for it, he would not oppose it. He then proposed that -all in the room should put themselves under the orders of Thistlewood. -Upon which Thistlewood said, that all engaged in the business were -equal, and should have the same honour as himself, and proposed that -fourteen should volunteer to go into the room at Lord Harrowby’s. Those -that volunteered were to range themselves on the side in which the -fire-place stood. They did so in the course of a few minutes. Whether -they were exactly fourteen I don’t know. - -I heard nothing said of what the rest were to do. On somebody asking -that question, Thistlewood replied, that they all knew their places. -Thistlewood then went out for a few moments. On his return, he said -that he had received intelligence that the Duke of Wellington and -Lord Sidmouth had arrived at Lord Harrowby’s. I was myself taken into -custody in the room. - -Cross-examined by Mr. ADOLPHUS.--I never saw Thistlewood till I saw him -at Ford’s. I attended at the meeting in Finsbury-market. I was so far -off that I could not tell whether Thistlewood was there, nor even the -purpose of the meeting. There was no particular acquaintance at that -time between me and Thistlewood. I did not then know Brunt or Edwards. -There was a long interval between my first and second conversation with -Brunt. I thought that they had done with me, finding me so reluctant -to join in their measures. The man in the brown coat was not Adams. I -have seen Adams since, at Hicks’s Hall. The room was much crowded--the -parties in it were eating bread and cheese. I do not know that I ever -saw Adams before I saw him at Hicks’s Hall. I recollect the prisoner -Davidson from his colour. If any person had addressed them besides the -man in the brown coat, I must have heard him. I was taken in the room -when the soldiers came. I had no arms. I made no resistance. - -Re-examined by the Solicitor-General.--I was nearly the last person who -entered the room. I was there nearly a quarter of an hour before the -officers came. I was unacquainted with every person in the room except -Thistlewood, Brunt, and Tidd. It was candlelight. On the bench were -swords, pistols, and blunderbusses. When I was brought up to Whitehall, -I was handcuffed to Thistlewood; who advised me, when I came before -the Privy-Council, to say that I had been brought to Cato-street by -Edwards. I asked him how I could tell such a falsehood, when I had -never seen such a man as Edwards in my life. He said that was of no -consequence. If asked what sort of a man he was, I was to say, he was a -little taller than myself, and dressed in a brown coat. - -By a Juryman.--I have had no communication with Adams since my -apprehension. - -By the Solicitor-General.--I never saw him except when I was brought up -as a witness to Hicks’s Hall. - -THOMAS MONUMENT.--I am brother to the last witness. I remember -Thistlewood calling upon my brother. He brought Brunt with him. They -did not stay in the room more than five or ten minutes. Thistlewood -then asked my brother if he might speak with him. On my brother’s -replying yes, they went out together for ten minutes. They then -returned; and Brunt and Thistlewood went away. - -On the Tuesday before the Cato-street business, Brunt called again on -my brother, with a man named Tidd. My brother said, “Brunt, I have not -seen you for so long a time, that I thought I had lost you.” Brunt -said, “The King’s death had made some alteration in our plans.” My -brother asked what those plans were. Brunt said, they had different -objects in view. Brunt asked my brother to meet him at Tyburn-turnpike -that evening, when an outline of their plan should be given to him. -Brunt said that he ought to be there at six o’clock: if he saw any -persons about, he should say, B-u-t, and if they were of their party -they would say, t-o-n. They did not press me to go, but spoke only to -my brother. I did not go. Brunt called at five the next evening for -my brother to go. He said, he could not go then, as we had work to -do. Brunt then bade my brother call on Tidd, at the Hole-in-the-wall -passage, at seven. He did so, as I was informed. - -Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.--Not suspecting that any mischief was -going on, I was not anxious to know to what the conversation of my -brother and Brunt referred. I thought that it might perhaps relate to -some club-dinner. - -THOMAS DWYER examined by Mr. Gurney.--I live in Cheese-court, -Oxford-street. Some time in February I became acquainted with Davidson. -He introduced me to Thistlewood. We went together to a public-house -at the end of Molyneux-street, not far from Cato-street. This might -be about the 9th, 10th, or 11th of February. Thistlewood said nothing -particular to me at that time. He observed, that he had been in four or -five revolutions, and that Ireland was in a disturbed state. I am an -Irishman. Thistlewood said, that he had a good many of my countrymen -with him. He pressed me to go with him also. - -I saw Davidson on the night before the 23d. He told me that he was -going to stand sentry. The next morning I was called upon by a person, -who took me to Fox-court, Gray’s Inn-lane. He was a tall man, and his -name is Harrison. We went into a two-pair back room; the room door was -locked. He knocked at another door, and a woman gave him the key. He -opened the door, and we entered. - -There was a cupboard in the room, out of which was taken a ball, -wrapped up in yarn. Harrison told me the purpose for which it was -intended, and called it a grenade. Shortly afterwards Thistlewood, -Davidson, and a few more, came in. Davidson had a blunderbuss, a pair -of pistols, and a bayonet, in his side pocket. Others also came in, but -I did not know their names. [The witness was here told to look into the -dock, and see if he could identify any of the prisoners as being then -present. He instantly identified Brunt.] On Davidson’s saying that he -had only given twelve shillings for his pistols, Brunt said he would go -out and buy a pair. - -I had some conversation with Thistlewood about the hand-grenades. -Thistlewood said, that some of them were to be thrown into the -horse-barracks, and others into Lord Harrowby’s house, to set fire to -it, and blow it up. Thistlewood asked me how many of my countrymen -I could muster, as he should want some of them at half-past eight -that evening. I told him that I could muster about twenty-six or -twenty-seven. He told me that they, meaning himself and friends, -were to assemble at the Horse and Groom; and ordered me to be at -the Pontefract Castle, at the end of Barret’s-court, a house much -frequented by Irishmen. He told me that I was to pick out the best of -my countrymen, and go to the Foundling Hospital, knock at the porter’s -lodge, put a pistol to his breast, and turn on to the right hand, as -there were twenty-five or twenty-six stand of arms in the other lodge: -these I was to seize. At the same time another party would secure -two pieces of cannon which were in the Light Horse Riding-School, -Gray’s Inn-lane. Another party was in the meantime to go to the -Artillery-ground, Finsbury, and seize what was there. He also mentioned -that there was to be a cabinet dinner at Lord Harrowby’s, and that the -party there were to be attacked. - -After this, I saw a bundle, containing gunpowder, taken out and laid -upon the floor; a tin measure was produced, and several smaller woollen -bags were filled with it. This was done by Harrison. I afterwards heard -Thistlewood give directions generally to them all. He said that a dozen -pike-handles were to be taken to Mary-le-bone, some others to Finsbury, -and some elsewhere. I was asked, but refused, to take some of them. I -saw a bag; and the powder which had been measured out, and also the -grenades, were put into it. - -I heard directions given to a man by Harrison, to take something to the -Horse and Groom, at the end of Cato-street. In the mean time another -person went out to get the pike-handles. I got back to my own place at -twelve o’clock. I told Major James of what I had seen and heard: in -consequence of what he said, I went to the Secretary of State about -one, or half-past one o’clock that day. - -Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.--I am a bricklayer by trade. I never, -before the month of February, saw Davidson. Davidson introduced me -to Thistlewood on the ninth of that month. They did not know me, and -I did not know them, yet I was let into their secrets on the morning -of the 23d of February. I have lived fifteen years in the parish of -Mary-le-bone, with a good character, and yet all of a sudden a band of -traitors intrusted me with their traitorous designs. I told them that -it was a hard thing to inveigle men into a scheme like theirs, and -doubted whether I should be able to accomplish it. Though I expressed -this doubt, I was sent to the Foundling Hospital to take the arms. -I acceded to their proposal at the time, but had no intention of -executing it. I do not know a man of the name of Hugglestone. I never -was in a court before, except on the trial of a woman for stealing. I -was in Ireland at the time of the rebellion. I cannot tell how old I -was then. - -GEORGE KAYLOCK examined by Mr. Littledale. I live at 22, Cato-street. -I saw Harrison and another against the stable-door in Cato-street, -at five o’clock on the 23d February. I asked Harrison how he did. He -replied, pretty well; he had taken two rooms there, and was going to do -them up. Between five and seven o’clock I saw more than twenty people -go in at the stable-door. - -RICHARD MONDAY examined by Mr. Littledale.--I live at 23, Cato-street. -About twenty minutes after four, on the 23d, as I was coming from my -work, I saw Davidson standing under the archway. I knew Davidson, from -seeing him with Firth, the cow-keeper. I went home and got my tea. I -came out again at twenty minutes past five, and went to a public-house. -On leaving it, I saw Davidson going into No. 1 for a light. In going -into the stable, into which Harrison admitted him, he stooped for a -bundle, and I then observed that he had two belts on, one across his -shoulder, and the other round his waist; in that round his waist, on -the left side, two pistols were inserted; on the other a sword was -suspended, which jutted out considerably. The place where they met is -a stable, belonging to General Watson; it has lately been used as a -cow-house by Firth. There is a chaise-house, and a stable below, and a -loft, with two rooms above. One of these rooms has a window, the other -is dark. I observed, in the course of the afternoon, that something -like a coarse matting was hung over the windows, and the partition in -the stable-yard. - -ELIZABETH WESTALL.--I live at No. 1, Cato-street. About three o’clock -I saw a man go into the stable with a sack on his shoulder. About six -o’clock I went out, and saw a man of colour standing by the stable. I -was much alarmed by that circumstance, thinking that the stable was -unoccupied. I was out ten minutes. Shortly after I returned, the man -of colour came into my house, and asked me for a light. I gave him a -light. He then went back to the stable where I had seen him at first. - -GEORGE RUTHVEN, the police-officer, was then examined by Mr. Bolland. - -I went, on the 23d of February, to Cato-street. Three others were to -meet me there. When we were all assembled we were about twelve of us. -I went into the stable, and saw a man with a sword by his side, and -a blunderbuss on his shoulder. I saw one man below, and I have some -faint recollection that I saw another. The whole of my party followed -me into the stable. On seeing the man with the blunderbuss on his -shoulder, I told some of the party to secure him. I went up a ladder, -which led to a loft. - -When I got there I saw several men; heard the clattering of arms, and -saw swords and pistols. Three or four of my party went up with me. I am -sure that Ellis and Smithers were with me. From the view which I had -of the place, I think there were 24 or 25 persons present. The size of -that room is 15 feet, five one way, and ten feet ten the other. There -are two rooms adjoining this, separated by doors. When I got into the -room, I said, “we are officers; seize their arms.” I saw in the room -Thistlewood, whom I have known for four or five years. - -Thistlewood was standing, at the time we entered, at the right hand -side of the table, near the door of the little room. On my saying, “We -are officers,” he seized a sword, which was drawn, and retreated to -the little room. The sword was a very long one, and rather bright. He -stood in the entry of the door fencing, to prevent any one’s approach. -Smithers approached him. Thistlewood stabbed him, and Smithers fell, -saying, “Oh, my God! I’m done,” or something to that effect. Somebody -from the corner of the room where Thistlewood stood said, “Put out the -lights--kill the b----rs, and throw them down stairs.” The lights were -then put out; I joined in their cry of “kill them,” and rushed down -stairs. - -I did not observe any thing till I got into John-street, where I met -the soldiers, whom I brought. Several shots were fired from the corner -of the room where Thistlewood was standing; I think down the stairs. -On arriving a second time at the stable, I met Tidd grappling with one -of the military. I secured him. I was afterwards in the public-house, -(Horse and Groom) and saw Bradburn brought in. On him were found six -ball-cartridges and three balls. Davidson and Wilson were brought in. -Davidson sang a song. I then went back to the loft, and found there, -Shaw Strange, Cooper, Monument, and Bradburn. I saw arms in the hands -of several persons. I found two swords and a bag. The bag contained -ten hand-grenades. I also found balls and fusees. They were brought to -Bow-street, and remained since in possession of an officer. Afterwards -I went to the Horse and Groom. I had seen Cooper there, with a stick, -and Gilchrist came back for it, but did not get it. I observed it cut. - -Cross-examined by Mr. Adolphus.--Thistlewood had not been much out of -sight since Watson’s trial. Witness had seen him five or six times. He -had a motive for it. It was not for this purpose, that he was aware -of. There were four or five Edwardses, officers with him, but he was -not aware that Edwards, who had been concerned in this business, was -connected with any of them. He knew nothing further, than that he was -directed to watch Thistlewood. - -JAMES ELLIS, by the Attorney-General.--Went with the other officers -to Cato-street on the 23d of February; he went in immediately after -Ruthven. He saw two men, one having on two cross-belts; either in -his right or left holding a carbine, in the other a sword. Witness -observed, that he was a man of colour. The other person was between -the foot of the ladder and the stall next to it, for there were three. -He followed Ruthven up as close as he could. The man of colour said -something ending with “men.” He heard the men above rushing back behind -the carpenter’s table, and a noise like fencing with swords. There -might be twenty or twenty-five men. Ruthven said, “We are officers, -seize their arms, or surrender your arms.” - -Witness had not known Thistlewood before, but he was satisfied it was -he who menaced with the sword. Witness had before held forward his -staff of office; he now presented a pistol, and desired him to desist, -or he would fire. Smithers then gained the top of the ladder, and -advanced towards the little room. Thistlewood struck him with the sword -near the breast. Smithers fell back, held up his hands, and exclaimed, -“O, God!” Witness fired on Thistlewood, and Smithers staggered towards -him. The candles were put out, and the witness was forced down. He -stood at the door to the street. Several shots were fired: some balls -passed him. On going out he heard a cry. Saw a man running towards -Queen-street, with belts on. He secured him. It was Davidson, the man -of colour. He had a carbine in the one hand, and a sword in the other. -He afterwards assisted in securing four, to whom he could not speak -positively. - -Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.--He was a constable, and had the -warrant. He had a part in conducting the officers; but Mr. Ruthven was -there. - -WILLIAM WESTCOTT had part in conducting the patrol at Bow-street, and -was a constable. He was down in the stable the whole time, and heard -firing on the loft. He saw Ings in the stable, who wanted to rush out, -while the other officers were up. Witness and Ings had a contest. There -was terrible confusion in the loft; some came tumbling down, and some -singly. He knew Thistlewood. There was a light. Thistlewood fired at -witness. Three holes were in his hat by balls. Witness rushed towards -Thistlewood, when he was struck down. Thistlewood then made a cut at -him with a sword, and ran out. Witness was wounded in the back of his -hand with one of the balls, as he had held up his hand to protect his -head. - -HUGH NIXON, one of the Bow-street officers, saw Ruthven, Ellis, and -the deceased go up the ladder. He went up, and saw Ellis fire. There -was a rush down, and he saw a man fire a pistol; he rather believed it -was Thistlewood. Ings was pursued and brought back. Witness found a -sword in the stable, and a bayonet up stairs. - -JOHN WRIGHT, a patrol of Bow-street, was one of the officers who went -to Cato-street. They mustered at the Horse and Groom. He saw Cooper -having a broom-stick, and another coming to drink beer. Cooper left -the stick. Witness took a sword and a knife from a man who was in the -stable, near a stall. That moment he was knocked down, and received a -stab in his side. Wilson and Bradburn were afterwards taken. Witness -found about two dozen ball-cartridges in Wilson’s pocket, and a pair of -scissors; and found two haversacks on his sides. - -WILLIAM CHARLES BROOKES, a patrol, being directed by Mr. Birnie -towards persons passing, saw Ings, and a person in front of him with -a cutlass, and spoke to them. Ings fired, and slightly wounded him on -the shoulder. Witness staggered into the road. Ings went off towards -the Edgware-road. Witness pursued. Ings threw away the pistol. Moy took -him. Witness asked him why he had fired at him, a man whom he had never -seen. He said, “I wish I had killed you.” - -Ings.--“Pray, my Lord, am I not allowed to ask any question?” - -Court.--“You are not on your trial at present.” - -Witness stated, that two haversacks, a knife-case, and a tin box, three -parts full of powder, were found on Ings. - -GILES MOY confirmed this evidence, so far as he was concerned. - -ROBERT CHAPMAN, one of the Bow-street officers, went to Cato-street; -saw Ings in the stable, and heard him say, “Look out, above.” Witness, -in the watch-house, took from Ings a knife-case, two balls, and a -pistol-key. He saw one running through the stable with a sword in his -hand. - -CAPTAIN FITZCLARENCE appeared on the right of the bench, and said, he -was a lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards; he went with a piquet to -John-street on the 23d of February, about eight in the evening. On -hearing reports of pistols, they went to Cato-street. He was directed -by a police-officer to the stable. He met two men at the door: the man -on his right cut at him with a sword, the other man presented a pistol. -He got in and seized a man, who called out, “Don’t kill me, and I will -tell you all.” He gave him in charge, and then secured another man in -one of the stalls. On going up stairs, he secured three, four, or five -persons. He fell against the body of poor Smithers, who was lying dead. -He saw several arms. - -SAMUEL TAUNTON, a Bow-street officer, went to Brunt’s lodgings, -searched the front and back rooms, and found two baskets. Brunt, who -was in the front room, and had been previously taken into custody, -said, he knew nothing of the baskets. The room did not belong to him -in which they were; it was the back room. In the same room there was a -pike-staff and an iron pot. Witness sent for the landlady, Mrs. Rogers. -She said, her niece had let the back-room to a man she did not know. -Brunt, said, it was a man at the public-house, and he did not know his -name. - -Witness then went to Tidd’s, in the Hole-in-the-Wall passage, near -Gray’s Inn-lane. There he found a box full of ball-cartridges, 965 -in number; he found ten grenades, and a great quantity of gunpowder. -He found, in haversacks, 434 balls. He found also sixty-nine -ball-cartridges, and about eleven bags of gunpowder, one pound each. -The grenades were in a wrapper. In one of the baskets at Brunt’s were -nine papers of rope-yarn and tar; in the other, three of the same, two -flannel bags of powder, one pound each, and five empty bags, a paper of -powder, one leathern bag, with three balls in it. They were all here. - -Cross-examined by Mr. Adolphus.--This was on the 24th. Brunt had been -in custody before. Tidd was absent. - -DANIEL BISHOP, a Bow-street officer, went on the morning of the -24th, with other officers, to apprehend Thistlewood, about ten -in the morning, to Whitecross-street, Moorfields. The house was -kept by Harris. He received a key from Mrs. Harris, which opened a -ground-floor. There he saw Thistlewood, who thrust his head from under -the clothes in bed; the shutters were shut. Witness told his name -and business, and, having a sword in one hand, and a staff in the -other, threw himself on the bed. Thistlewood said, he would make no -resistance. He had his breeches on, in the pockets of which they found -two balls, two cartridges, and some flints. They also found a small -silk sash. - -Cross-examined.--A man of the name of Edwards did not go, nor any who -knew where Thistlewood was. - -LAVENDER produced and identified the belt found in Thistlewood’s -coat-pocket. - -RUTHVEN produced the pike-staff, grenades, _&c_. - -All the soldiers and officers who had any of the articles seized were -now arranged behind the witness-box, and handed to Ruthven their -several charges, and Ruthven laid them on the table. A pike was -screwed on a staff, and handed to the Jury. The whole of the frightful -apparatus was now exposed to view. Guns, blunderbusses, carbines, -swords, pistols, pikes, sticks, cartridges, bullets; even the pot in -which the tar was boiled,--all were produced and identified. - -The fire-arms remained loaded till produced on this occasion, when the -charges were drawn; they were loaded with ball. One of the grenades had -been given to a person by an order of Colonel Congreve to be examined. -The production of Ings’s knife excited an involuntary shudder; it was a -broad desperate-looking weapon. - -The Jury inspected the arms separately, and particularly the pikes, -the construction and formation of which have already been minutely -described. The whole had a most formidable appearance. - -JOHN HECTOR MORRISON, servant to Mr. Underwood, cutler, in Drury-lane, -was re-called, and looked at two swords, which, he said, were the same -he had ground for Ings. - -Serjeant EDWARD HANSON, of the Royal Artillery, examined by Mr. -Gurney.--I examined one of the grenades produced to me at Bow-street; -it is composed of a tin case, in the form of a barrel, in which a tube -is soldered. The case contains three ounces and a half of gunpowder. -The priming in the tube is a composition of saltpetre, powder, and -brimstone. The tin was pitched, and wrapped round with rope-yarn, which -was cemented with rosin and tar. Round the tin, and in the rope-yarn, -twelve pieces of iron were planted. From the lighting of the fusee to -the explosion might take about half a minute. If one of them were to -be exploded in a room where there were a number of persons, it would -produce great destruction. The pieces of iron would fly about like -bullets. - -[The witness here opened another of the grenades for the satisfaction -of the Jury; it was composed in the manner already described. The -pieces of iron principally consisted of old cart-nails, such as the -tires of wheels are nailed on with. The carcase, or tin-case, was -wrapped in an old stocking, and the powder which it contained was -pronounced very good.] - -Witness, in continuation.--I examined one of the fire-balls; it -consisted of oakum, tar, rosin, and stone-brimstone, pounded. If one of -these was thrown into a house, and alighted on wood, it would be sure -to set it on fire. The effect would be still more certain on straw or -hay. - -The Attorney-General.--“That is the case, my Lord, on the part of the -Crown.” - - -THE DEFENCE. - -Mr. CURWOOD now rose to address the Jury on the part of the prisoner. -He commenced by stating, “That if it were consistent with a sense of -moral and professional duty, he would not have stood there to address -them. It was one of the characteristics of the profession to which he -had the honour to belong, however, and one which perhaps reflected -upon it the greatest credit, that they were not at liberty to refuse -their assistance to persons in the situation of the unfortunate man at -the bar. No man could feel more impressed than himself with the sense -of the great and weighty duty he had to perform. He felt that the -unhappy prisoner had a right to call upon him to do his duty boldly and -fearlessly, and without any consideration for the Government who were -the prosecutors on this occasion; he felt also that he had a duty to -perform to his country, by assisting in the administration of the law, -and not by any power which he possessed, if he did possess such power, -to endeavour to pervert that law. He owed something too, to his own -fair fame, which was all, his only inheritance. - -“With these feelings pressing upon him, he might truly say, he was -placed in a trying and critical situation. It was fit on an occasion of -this sort, that they should know something of the man by whom they were -addressed. It could not be denied that the unfortunate transactions, -to which their attention had been so painfully directed, had arisen -out of that state of the country which they must all alike lament and -deplore. It was clear also, that while they had attachments to certain -parties, prejudices would arise which it was out of their power to -control in favour of the sentiments of those parties. With respect to -himself, although like every other Englishman, he had his feelings upon -certain points, yet he never belonged to any particular party, nor -was he in the habit of attending political meetings. With respect to -Government, he never had received any place or appointment from them, -nor was it likely that he should. In the present instance, therefore, -he had no motive to influence him in doing his duty, or at least in -endeavouring to do it fairly and honestly. - -“It was due to his Learned Friends and to himself to state, that in -consequence of the lateness of the moment in which they were called -upon to undertake this arduous task, not having received their -instructions till a late hour on Thursday, that the difficulties with -which they had to cope were of no ordinary kind; and these difficulties -became the more formidable, when it was recollected that they had -arrayed against them the most distinguished talents which it was in -the power of the Crown to procure--talents not a little aided by the -advantage of study, and of a mature consideration of all the facts -of the case which they were called upon to discuss. No doubt, in the -notice which they (the Jury) had given to the Attorney-General, when he -opened this case, they had not failed to observe, and he had observed -it with unfeigned surprise, that he had not stated to them precisely -what were the points which they were called upon to try. He had indeed -stated that it was a prosecution for high treason, but he had only -defined what was the quality of the treason which he meant to impute. - -“Unfortunately, there was mixed up with this transaction a great deal -for which the prisoner might hereafter be answerable, and which was -calculated to make a deep impression on the minds of the Jury; but -whatever was their opinion upon the moral guilt of the prisoner, if, -upon a review of the evidence, they should not be of opinion that he -had committed the precise offence charged in the indictment, it was -their duty to pronounce a verdict of Not Guilty. It therefore devolved -upon him to state precisely what they had to try; it was not merely a -question of high treason, but a question of a particular species of -high treason. - -“The indictment was very long, and contained many things which, in the -language of the law, were called overt acts. They were not, however, -because a great body of evidence had been given to them, to jump at the -conclusion, that the substantive treason alleged had been committed. -The sorts of treason charged were four in number: the first was founded -upon the late statute of the 36th of the King, for conspiring to depose -his majesty from his imperial style and dignity. It was now nearly -400 years since that statute, to which Englishmen had been wont to -look with veneration as a protection for the dearest rights of man--he -meant the statute of Edw. III.--had been passed. There, among other -treasons set forth, was the conspiring to take away, or the compassing -and imagining, or intending to compass or imagine the King’s death--but -there had subsequent treasons started up. There was now another Act of -Parliament in existence, which embraced not merely the compassing and -imagining the King’s death; but the conspiring to depose him from his -imperial style and dignity. It was also treason to conspire to levy war -against his majesty. This was the question then which they had to try. - -“First, had the prisoners at the bar conspired or imagined the death -of the King; secondly, had they conspired to depose his Majesty from -his imperial style and dignity; thirdly, had they conspired to levy war -against the King; and lastly, had they actually levied war against the -King? He apprehended that they must be satisfied that one or other of -these charges was proved, before they could find a verdict of _guilty_. - -“Before he came to these topics, they would look to the probability of -the evidence which had been laid before them. The great mass which had -been adduced certainly led them to conclude that a conspiracy of some -kind had existed; but it did not follow that the substantive treason -charged in the indictment had therefore been committed. It did not -follow, as a matter of course, that the removal of the administration -of the King must be succeeded by the deposition of the Monarch himself. -Let them go by steps. There was continually in Parliament one party -endeavouring to remove another; that was to say, endeavouring to remove -the existing administration. He would admit, probably with the best -intentions. - -“Would it be contended, that this removal of an administration was -necessarily connected with the deposition of the Monarch, and that -every man who attempted to effect such a purpose would be involved in -the crime of high treason? - -“Again, other men might think it necessary that an administration -should be removed by violence; and this too with the most virtuous -intentions. He desired not to be misunderstood, as meaning under -that plea to justify assassination. Nothing was further from his -feelings; but all he meant to argue was, that they must not take it -as a necessary consequence that the death or destruction of a whole -administration involved the death or deposition of the King. If they -(the Jury) were of opinion that it did not involve such a consequence, -the evidence on this occasion did not support the substantive treason -laid in the two first divisions of the indictment. - -“There were two other treasons, however; one was the conspiracy to levy -war against his Majesty; and the other, the actual levying of war. Now -he called upon them to look to the evidence, and see whether they could -draw from that a fair inference, that there was a conspiracy to levy -war, and that what had been done amounted to an actual levying of war. -In the detail given by the first witness, Adams, who in fact proved -the whole case--he thought there was much more for ridicule, than for -serious consideration. In his opinion, the testimony of this man was -utterly incredible, independent of the fact of his being an accomplice. - -“The Attorney-General had told them that an accomplice was a necessary -witness; but though necessary, he was not of necessity to be believed. -The more atrocious the guilt in which he had steeped himself, the less -worthy he was of credit; and where a most atrocious and wicked witness -came to tell them a tale, not only improbable, but most ridiculous in -itself, would they not at once dismiss him from their notice? - -“It often happened, that those who were the most ingenious in devising -and promoting mischief, were the first to become informers; and that -this was the case in the present instance, he should be enabled to -prove. They would, however, consider the evidence which had been given -by Adams to support the fact of there having been a conspiracy to levy -war against the King. They would lay out of their consideration for a -moment all that had been said of the assassination of his Majesty’s -Ministers; and they would consider the evidence as it had been given -by him to support that conspiracy. They had here everything to raise -their passions. - -“They had all the materials and preparations for war before them (the -arms on the table); but what was the result of all the discussions -which took place at all the meetings of the conspirators from the 4th -of February, in which the assassination of his Majesty’s Ministers had -been repeatedly debated? - -“In the cross-examination of Adams, it appeared that one of the -conspirators, Palin, had, with some degree of sense, when all those -things were talked of, asked where the men were to come from to effect -this mighty revolution? In one moment his Majesty’s Ministers were to -be assassinated!--a detachment was to go and take possession of two -pieces of cannon in Gray’s Inn-lane!--another detachment was to make -a descent upon the Artillery-Ground!--a third party were to seize the -Mansion-house, as a seat for the Provisional Government! and yet to -effect all this, what was the actual strength of the conspirators in -its most exaggerated state? Why, forsooth, forty men, two old sabres, -six shillings, and a reputed pound-note!! Where an infamous witness -told them such a story could they believe it?--was it credible? Would -they take away the life of a man under such circumstances? If it were -possible for them to do so, he could only say that they would be more -insensible than the deluded men themselves. - -“Then as to the other point, the actual levying of war; what a -levying of war was, he hardly knew how to define. Lord Hale had said, -that this was a question of fact, which a Jury alone was capable -of deciding.--That learned Judge had also talked of “marching with -unfurled banners, and being furnished with military officers”--but -where were the unfurled banners here, or where the military -officers?--The only military man they had heard of was one disbanded -soldier, and the purpose to which he was to be applied was the -destruction of his Majesty’s Ministers--an act which, he contended, -even if effected, did not amount to a levying of war.--If they were -told the contrary, he was sure they would treat such an intimation as -absurd and ridiculous. Where was this great conspiracy concocted? In -a two-pair back room! Where was the battle fought? In a stable! Where -were the traitors incorporated? In a hay-loft! How were they armed? -With a few rusty swords, halberts, and old pistols! - -“He would put it to the plain common sense and understanding of the -Jury, whether they would pronounce persons so assembled and so armed, -guilty of levying war against the King? It was rather a levying war -against the constables, at the very name of whom they trembled. Then, -if there was no levying of war, was there a conspiracy to levy war? The -only evidence they had of such a conspiracy came out of the mouth of -those three witnesses who were so far contaminated, that it was beyond -all doubt they had themselves been deeply implicated in the projected -assassination of his Majesty’s Ministers.” - -“The question, then, for their consideration resolved itself into this -point: they would consider, even supposing that the assassination of -the Ministers was intended, whether this of necessity implied that his -Majesty was also to be deposed. If they did not think that the one must -of course follow the other, then their verdict must be “Not Guilty.” He -implored them to do their duty strictly according to law, to consider -what the law of the country was, to step neither to the right nor -to the left, but to come to a fair and impartial and unprejudiced -conclusion. He implored them to do so, not only for their own sakes, -but for the sake of the country; for if once jurymen suffered their -feelings of indignation towards one offence to lead them to admit the -existence of another of a different character, not proved, there would -be an end of the due distinctions of justice. If this man had been -guilty of another offence, there was another indictment against him, on -which he must take his trial if he were acquitted of this: and if he -were convicted under that, he would suffer the penalty of the law. But, -upon this occasion, he called upon them not to find him guilty of High -Treason, because they thought him worthy of death for having incurred -the guilt of assassination. - -“In conclusion, the learned gentleman said, he would proceed to call -a witness to prove that Adams, who had been called for the Crown, -together with an accomplice of the name of Edwards, who had not been -called, were the persons who had conveyed the arms and ammunition to -the house of Tidd on the very morning they had been found there by the -Bow-street officers.” - -Mr. ADOLPHUS then proceeded to call the - - -EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENCE. - -MARY PARKER examined.--I am the daughter of Richard Tidd; I live with -my father; I remember the police officers coming and finding some boxes -and things in our lodgings; they came about half-past eight; those -things had been in the house when they came, about a quarter of an -hour; they were brought that morning; among them were the pike staves; -it was no person in my father’s employment who brought them; he had -been taken into custody the night before; I know a person of the name -of Adams; I have seen him at my father’s; I know a person of the name -of Edwards; I have also seen him there; he has been there often; I have -seen similar things before the officers came; I believe these to be -the same things; Edwards took part away; I do not know who took the -rest; he took them away on Wednesday; my father did not take them away; -Edwards did not take away the box; he only took away some things that I -have since heard were used; the box was brought a day or two before my -father was taken; it never was uncorded; Adams brought a large grenade; -I do not know what Edwards was. - -The Attorney-general declined asking this witness any question. - -EDWARD HUCKLESTONE examined by Mr. Curwood.--I know a man of the name -of Dwyer. I have known him for some years. Latterly I have known him -intimately. I used the same public-house. I do not think he is to be -believed on his oath. - -Cross-examined by the Attorney-General.--I saw him with plenty of -money, and knowing that he had little or no work, I was surprised. I -was in distress. He told me he would put me in the way to make plenty -of money, if I would go with him. I agreed; and he proposed that we -should charge gentlemen with an unnatural offence. That he was to go up -first, and then I was to join him. I left him quite shocked. This was -about three months ago. He said he had got ten pounds at a time from a -gentleman in St. James’s-street, by only catching him by the collar, -and accusing him. I met him the next night at the Rodney’s-head, and -he called me a coward. I told him of the danger, and reminded him that -his brother had been transported for the same thing. He said he knew -better how to general it than his brother. I ought to have communicated -it to a magistrate; but I was afraid of falling a “wictim” to the -Irishmen who lived in the neighbourhood. I have spoken to him since. I -was a shoemaker, but am now articled to a cow-doctor in Newman-mews. -I first communicated this to my brother, about a week ago. I did not -mention it before, lest I might be ill-treated, as I had to go so -much about among the cows. Some of the Irishmen have gone away from -the neighbourhood now, and that induced me to summon up courage to -mention it to my brother. I did go with Dwyer to the Park, but I was -always struck with the horror of the thing. When I saw the names of the -witnesses in this case in the paper, I made the communication to my -brother. - -(The witness was desired not to go out of Court.) - -Mr. JOSEPH DOANE examined by Mr. Adolphus.--I am called the Court -Reporter; I prepare for the newspapers an account of the movements of -the Court, the cabinet dinners, _&c._ I send the same accounts to six -papers, among others to _The New Times_, [Looked at the announcement -in the _New Times_, of the cabinet dinner, on Tuesday the 22d of -February.] The intelligence respecting the Court in this paper I sent. -The paragraph respecting the cabinet dinner, from the wording, I think -I did not send. I think so from the use of the word “grand;” cabinet -dinners are always alike, and I do not think I used the word “grand.” - -ANDREW MITCHELL: I am printer of _The New Times_; I produce the -original of the paragraph respecting the cabinet dinner, announced in -_The New Times_ on the 22d of February. - -Mr. Doane recalled: That is not my manuscript; I always write from a -manifold. - -Andrew Mitchell: I did not receive that from Mr. Doane, but from a -person of the name of Lavenue, who furnishes things in the same way. - -JOHN WHITTAKER: I searched in eleven newspapers of the 22d of February -for the annunciation of a cabinet dinner at Lord Harrowby’s, and in -none of those papers was there such an announcement as that in _The New -Times_. - -The Attorney-General: These papers ought to be here. - -The Chief Justice Abbot: Strictly speaking, they ought to be here. - -The witness: _The New Times_ alone had the annunciation of the dinner -at Lord Harrowby’s on the 22d of February. - -Mr. Adolphus: This is all the evidence I intend to offer on the part of -the prisoner. - -Mr. Gurney: I wish, my Lord, that Dwyer should be again called.--The -witness, Dwyer, was then again put in the box, and examined by Mr. -Gurney: I do not know a man of the name of Hucklestone.--[The witness -Hucklestone was desired to stand up.]--Dwyer: I know that man, but did -not know his name was Hucklestone. I have met him in Oxford-road. Not -in a public-house. I never proposed to him to charge any person with an -unnatural offence. In February last I was at work at the parish mill, -and got three shillings. I have a wife and family. - -Cross-examined: I did not know Hucklestone by name. I saw him with -other chaps at the corner of James-street, near where I live; but -I never associated with him. I have seen him in Hyde-park. I never -went into a public-house with him. I resorted to the Rodney’s-Head, -but never knew him to resort there. I have not repeatedly met him -in a public-house. I don’t know that I can swear I never saw him -in a public-house. I will swear I have not been with him at the -Rodney’s-Head within this three months. I am a bricklayer by trade, and -worked fourteen years for one master. - -Mr. Adolphus now entreated permission to be allowed till the ensuing -day to prepare himself to address the Jury on the part of the prisoner. -The state of exhaustion to which he had been reduced, as well as the -shortness of the time which had elapsed since he had received his -instructions, and the great importance of the duty which he had to -perform, where the life of a fellow-creature was at stake, the more -imperiously impelled him to entreat this indulgence, if consistent with -the views of the Court. - -The Lord Chief Justice felt the propriety of the appeal, and after some -conversation relative to the convenience of the Jury, the Court was -adjourned till the following morning. - - -THIRD DAY, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1820. - -The Court opened again at nine o’clock this morning, and a few minutes -after Mr. ADOLPHUS rose to address the Jury on behalf of the prisoner, -and commenced by observing, that “he could not request their attention -to the feeble and humble efforts which he was going to make in defence -of the prisoner at the bar, without returning them his sincere thanks -for the kind and gracious manner in which they had conceded to him -further time for the preparation of his defence. Under all the -circumstances of the case, the situation in which he (Mr. Adolphus) -stood was sufficiently distressing; but it would have been still more -so if he had been compelled to address them yesterday evening with a -mass of evidence totally undigested, with a memory wandering over all, -but steadily directed to none of the points which had come out during -the trial; and without any of that simplification of the case which he -had been able to effect, though imperfectly, in the few hours which, by -their kindness, he had been able to steal from sleep. - -“The inquiry in which they were then engaged was a most anxious and -important inquiry: indeed, so anxious and so important was it that -it was only natural to expect that the minds of counsel engaged in -conducting it would sink under the heavy task imposed upon them. During -the course of his professional career many trials similar to the -present had taken place: but in none of them did the parties accused -labour under such dreadful charges as were now brought against the -prisoner at the bar; in none of them had they been so totally deprived -of all assistance and support as the unfortunate individual had been on -whose fate they now stood impanelled to decide. - -“To say that he (Thistlewood) had all the weight of office arrayed -against him--to say that the prosecution was conducted with all the -talent and all the power of Government, was to say nothing more than -that Thistlewood was indicted for high treason. He (Mr. Adolphus) -meant not to blame the Government for exerting all its energies in a -case like the present; by no means--the Crown had, on all occasions, -and particularly on an occasion like this, a right to demand of its -best servants their best services: he only meant to contrast the -difficulties against which Thistlewood had to contend with those which -had surrounded other unfortunate men in his situation. - -“Against the great legal talent which had been employed against them by -the Crown, there had come forward advocates of high character, and not -inferior ability--advocates who voluntarily embarked themselves in the -cause of their clients--gave up their whole time and attention to their -interests, methodized and simplified the evidence necessary to maintain -them, and entered the Court prepared to meet the case brought forward -by the Crown on every one of its points and bearings. - -“Far different was the case of the unhappy man then standing at their -bar. - -“On the evening previous to his trial he was scarcely acquainted with -the name of the counsel who was to defend him: and that counsel had -scarcely more early information of the grounds on which his defence -was to be rested. He (Mr. Adolphus) could assure them that he was only -chosen counsel for Thistlewood on Thursday last; that unavoidable -business had kept him out of town during the whole of Friday; and that -he had appeared before them on the Monday with such information as he -could collect in the interim. He deplored this circumstance, but he -could not complain of it. His want of ability and preparation was not, -however, the only circumstance which rendered Thistlewood’s case more -desperate than that of the individuals who had formerly been placed in -his situation. Many of them had been allied with, or supported by, men -of power, and rank, and influence in the country. Thistlewood, on the -contrary, was aided by no party, was supported by no subscription, but -was deserted by men of every class and party in the community. He (Mr. -Adolphus) had received no assistance, no information, no instructions, -from him; all that he knew of the case was derived from the materials -which the solicitor, the gratuitous solicitor for the defence (Mr. -Harmer), had been able to collect within the last few days. - -“Besides these circumstances was another still more extraordinary and -unfortunate. At the state trials of 1794, whoever was discharged by -a verdict of his countrymen was discharged at once from all further -prosecution; and with the inquiry of that Court ended all inquiry into -his conduct. - -“This man, Thistlewood, however, was so beset, that, even though he -obtained at their hands a verdict of acquittal upon this charge, he -had to undergo a similar trial upon other indictments: indeed he (Mr. -Adolphus) did not hesitate to say that he (Thistlewood) was surrounded -by every danger which could possibly environ the life of a single -individual. It appeared as if this melancholy choice alone were left -him, whether he would have the execution of his sentence end with the -severing of his head from his body, or whether he would have his body -given up after his execution to the dissecting knife of the surgeon. -If his guilt were of such a nature as to demand that penalty to be -added to the others inflicted by the law, he had only himself to blame -for it: far was it from his (Mr. Adolphus’s) intention to palliate his -conduct upon that point: the only reason which he had for even alluding -to it was to implore them to place out of their consideration every -circumstance which was not connected with the subject of their present -investigation, and which had not been brought regularly before them in -the course of the trial. - -“The Attorney-General had made the same request to them, and it had -well become his character and legal knowledge to do so. It was not -less his duty as a man and as a Christian, than as a high officer of -the Crown, to give them that advice: for, bound as he was to protect -the interests of the Crown, he was not less bound not to exercise his -power in wantonly running down those subjects, who were living under -its fostering care and protection. Made, then, as this request had -been made to them by the Attorney-General, he (Mr. Adolphus) could -not help repeating it; for he was well aware how difficult it was to -dismiss from the mind the impressions of ill-will and dislike which -were naturally conceived against any one who was, or ever had been, the -subject of general reprobation. - -“On occasions like the present a man’s usual convictions stole into -his mind, in spite of himself: it therefore became them to be doubly -on their guard, and to view the case then under their consideration -as if they had never heard the name of Thistlewood before, and as if -they had never received any other information than that which had come -under their notice in the course of the trial, upon which, and upon -which alone, they were sworn to give their verdict. He agreed with the -Attorney-General that the present was a case of infinite importance; -not, however, to the prisoner at the bar merely, whose life was at a -stake, (indeed in that point of view it was of less importance than in -any other) but also to the state and to all posterity. - -“It was of importance to the state that verdicts should be given -upon strict evidence alone, and not upon favourable or unfavourable -impressions conceived by the Jury regarding the party on his trial. It -was of importance also to posterity; because if, as against a bad man, -a certain kind of evidence should now be allowed to procure conviction, -it would, in time, be also allowed to procure conviction against a -good one; and, in that case nobody could tell whose fame might not be -impeached, whose property might not be injured, whose life might not be -destroyed, by the same kind of evidence as had been produced on this -trial; evidence which ought never to have the credence of any jury, or -the sanction of any court. - -“It was not, therefore, so much for the value of Thistlewood’s life -(though God forbid that he should undervalue the life of any man) as -for the value of a precedent in a case of treason, that he was then -contending; for if a charge of high treason could be substantiated -against any British subject on such evidence as had just been adduced -there would be an end to all our well-founded boasts of the excellence -of our law regarding high treason. Such an event, however, he, for -one, did not anticipate, when he recollected with what care the law -of treason had been guarded by the legislature, and with what caution -executed by our juries, ever since the period of its first institution. -Nor was such caution, vigilance, and correctness, as had been always -exhibited by our juries, with some few exceptions, and those in bad -times, unnecessary or uncalled-for. - -“An accusation of high treason was a fearful accusation. In all other -criminal cases, from a simple assault up to a murder, the King though -not the real, was the ostensible prosecutor: in a case of high treason, -however, the King was not merely the ostensible but also the real -prosecutor; he was directly arrayed against the prisoner, and therefore -it was the imperative duty of the Jury to see that the subject was not -oppressed. The present case of high treason was as important as any of -those which had ever preceded it; and the Jury ought, therefore, to be -peculiarly careful not to allow one tittle of evidence to weigh with -them which had not been admitted on former occasions, and, if they -had any doubts with regard to its admissibility, ought to lean to the -prisoner, and not to the Crown, however interested they might be in its -preservation, and the preservation of its authority. - -“He had before had occasion to state to them, that the defence of the -prisoner at the bar had come to him, in the course of his professional -business, as an enforced duty. He had not sought it; he had not refused -it; indeed, as an advocate, he could do neither one nor the other. -Standing, however, as he did, in that Court, as the advocate, the -unfee’d, and therefore, in some respect, the voluntary advocate of the -prisoner Thistlewood, he deemed it right (unnecessary and improper as -it might be on any other occasion for an advocate to press his own -political opinions on the Jury) to state that, during the whole of his -life he had never given his assent to any proposition tending to change -the constitution, as established at the Revolution, either in church or -state. He had been born a subject of his late most gracious Majesty; -to him, whilst alive, he had paid a subject’s loyal obedience. He was -now a subject of his present most gracious Majesty, and the allegiance -which he had paid to the father he willingly transferred, as his due to -the son. - -“To the questions which had lately agitated the country, he had never -lent himself for a single moment; on the contrary, he had always -opposed, to the utmost of his power, every design of faction and -innovation. Thus much he thought it necessary to state in the peculiar -situation in which he stood; but making as he had that declaration -of his political principles, he also felt, both as a man and as an -Englishman, that he had a strong principle to advance and establish -in this defence; and he therefore trusted that, if any persons were -present who felt an interest in the fate of the prisoner, they would -not think that he would relax, in his efforts on his (Thistlewood’s) -behalf, on account of the difference of their political opinions. -If any thought that he would relax, he was sorry that they should -entertain such an opinion of him: he would, however, use every exertion -to make a fair defence for the prisoner: if it were not conducted with -ability, it would be not from want of intention, but from want of -ability, which would be the prisoner’s misfortune as well as his own. - -“The learned Counsel then proceeded to observe, that the line of -defence which he found it necessary to pursue was the most difficult -which it had ever fallen to the lot of an advocate to make good; and -he should here be deficient in respect to the good sense and talent -of the jury, if he pretended to assert that the prisoner at the bar -was perfectly guiltless. He was afraid that it was but too evident -that he (Thistlewood) and those with whom he was connected had -meditated assassination, a crime which was little less horrible than -the commission of it. He did not intend to palliate Thistlewood’s -conduct in doing so--far from it: it was a crime not to be palliated: -the very blood recoiled from it--the best feelings of human nature -revolted against it, and the indignation and execration of society -always followed it. Still he thought it possible that Thistlewood, -though he might be guilty of murder and the other crimes imputed to -him in the various indictments, might not be guilty of high treason. -Unless, therefore, he was fully and clearly proved to be so, it was -their duty to acquit him; and in so acquitting him, in spite of all the -odium and prejudice which surrounded him, they would be doing honour to -themselves, and benefit to their posterity. - -“He was not weak enough to say this in any hope that, by flattering -them, he should obtain their verdict; he should be sorry to obtain it -on such terms; for if they gave a verdict for him against the evidence, -they would be doing no honour to themselves, and a great injury to -their posterity. He had once thought of stating to them, at some -length, the nature of the law of treason, but he had afterwards found -reason to change his opinion, it having been suggested to him that -the law on that subject would come better to them from the Court. He -should therefore proceed, before he entered into a minute examination -of the evidence (on the general nature of it he had already made some -comments) to state to them the nature of the indictment. - -“They had heard the indictment read over to them, and would have -perceived, unacquainted as they were with the technicalities of the -law, that the same offence was charged against the prisoner, though -somewhat varied in terms. There were four charges, or counts, to which -he particularly wished to call their attention; there were to each of -these ten or eleven overt acts, all of which, it had been said, must -be considered as shewing the intention with which the prisoner had -acted. - -“The prisoner was charged, in the first count, with “compassing, -imagining, inventing, devising, and intending to deprive and depose our -Lord the King, from the style, honour, and kingly name of the imperial -crown of this realm.” The overt acts stated in the indictment were, -conspiring to assassinate several of the Privy-Council; procuring -large quantities of arms with intent to assassinate them; as also to -subvert and destroy the constitution as by law established; issuing -proclamations to the King’s subjects containing solicitations to aid -and assist them in making and levying insurrection; and various other -acts specified therein. Before, however, they found the prisoner -guilty upon this count; they ought to be convinced that the intention -to depose the King existed previously, and not subsequently, to the -commission of these overt acts. For though they should be perfectly -convinced that the prisoner had gone to Lord Harrowby’s house with the -intention of killing the King’s ministers, that fact alone did not -render him guilty of high treason: it was necessary that a treasonable -intention should be first proved to exist. - -“To meditate the assassination of a privy-councillor was certainly -a crime of great magnitude, and by 3 Hen. VII. cap. 14., had been -made a felony; and by a later statute, that of 9th Anne, cap. 16, to -assault or attempt to kill one in the execution of his office was made -a felony, without benefit of clergy. Thus it was clear that to kill a -privy-councillor was not in itself an act of high treason, unless it -were coupled with other acts tending to prove a treasonable intention -previously existing in the mind of the prisoner. They must, therefore, -before they brought in a verdict of guilty against him, be convinced -of one of these four points: either that he did intend to deprive and -depose our Lord the King from the style, honour, and kingly name of the -imperial crown of this realm; or that he did intend to excite rebellion -and insurrection within this realm, in order to subvert the government; -or that he did intend to levy war against the King, in order, by force -and restraint, to compel him to change his measures and councils; or -that he did intend, with force and arms, to effect those purposes. - -“These were the points which must be established before they could -find the prisoner at the bar guilty of high treason; and what was the -evidence produced to establish them? He did not hesitate to affirm, -that never was evidence so weak tendered to prove charges so heinous. -It was contradictory, it was inadmissible, it was incredible, coming -from any quarter, but still more incredible, coming, as it did, from -men destitute of all character, avowedly engaged in a conspiracy to -effect a hideous murder, and therefore men of such a description as -ought never to be allowed by their oaths to bring the life of man into -danger at all. Before he proceeded any further, it would be requisite -to call their attention to the degree of credit which ought to belong -to an accomplice. The Attorney-General, in calling an accomplice -as witness, had stated that he was to be believed, whenever he was -supported by other collateral evidence. On this doctrine he would not -comment just at present, but would content himself with observing, -that it must be clear to all of them that the whole charge of high -treason rested in this case solely on the evidence of an accomplice. -For if the testimony of Adams were to be dismissed from their notice, -there was not a single syllable said by all the other witnesses who had -been produced, (so loosely indeed had they supported the testimony of -Adams) tending to convict Thistlewood of high treason. - -“The question then came to this point, whether a charge of high -treason ought to be considered as made out, which rested solely on the -testimony of an accomplice, and an accomplice, too, like Adams. He -maintained that it ought not, for if Adams were believed, no witness -could hereafter be rejected as unworthy of credit, and consequently -no man’s life or honour could be considered secure.” An accomplice, -however, continued the Attorney-General, not indeed in those very -words, but in words to that effect, “ought not to be expected to -receive support on every point which he mentions in evidence, because -if he were to receive such support, there would be no reason to call -him at all.” - -“It was true that the evidence of an accomplice might be believed -under certain circumstances, that is, when he was supported by other -more respectable witnesses; but then he must not be supported by only -a few witnesses, but by all the witnesses which could be called to -confront him. He would even go so far as to say that those who availed -themselves of the evidence of an accomplice were bound to produce every -witness acquainted with the facts to which he swore, not merely those -who could support, but even those who were likely to contradict them. -These persons were the solemn gages of his truth, and like witnesses -to the signature of deeds, ought to be called forward for the common -good of all parties. This was not merely his opinion, but the opinion -of many eminent lawyers who had gone before him. Indeed he had read an -opinion of one of them in a book, which he could not with propriety -mention there; an opinion which was so much in unison with his own, -though much more forcibly expressed, that he could not omit the -opportunity of reading it to them. The argument in it was clear and -satisfactory, and the law was not more accurately laid down than it was -forcibly expressed. The passage to which he alluded was as follows: - -“‘An accomplice may be a witness; even unconfirmed, he is a witness -competent to be heard.’--A witness of the most infamous character, -unless he has been actually convicted of certain specific crimes, -and the record is brought into Court, may indeed be heard; but it -is for you, gentlemen, to determine what degree of credit you will -give to his evidence. Let him be heard; let him be examined; I thank -them for calling this witness: I thank them for submitting him to the -admirable cross-examination of my learned friend: I thank them for -stopping certain subjects of inquiry; all this must satisfy you, that -no reliance can be placed upon his testimony. I am sure, that if this -were a case not of the immense importance which it is; but if it were -a suit instituted to decide the smallest question of civil right, that -you would not attend or give the slightest credence to such evidence. -But in a case of this nature and of this magnitude, in a criminal case, -in a case of treason, in a case of the highest description of crime, -and, with respect to its inflictions and penalties, the severest that -the law recognizes; in a case of high treason, I say, to build your -decision upon evidence of this character, upon such a witness, and such -a treacherous foundation, is it possible that my friends on the other -side can expect it; is it possible that they can hope, or even wish for -it? Can you believe that they could have known the previous conduct and -character of this man, when they brought him into Court? It would be an -insult to your understandings; it would be an outrage to common sense; -a mockery of justice, to suppose that the smallest degree of reliance -can be placed upon such evidence. - -“But it is said that he is confirmed; and because he is confirmed -in some facts, you are therefore to believe him in the rest. This -is a position which lawyers are in the habit of stating in a very -unqualified manner; but it is not a position which can be maintained to -this extent, according to any principle of common sense. There is no -man who tells a long and complicated story, like that which you have -heard, who may, and must not of necessity, be confirmed in many parts -of it. The witness was upwards of eight hours in giving his evidence, -and of course stated many facts, which no man denies, which have been -in all the newspapers for weeks and for months past; and because he is -confirmed in certain particulars, you are therefore required to believe -the whole of his story to be true. Is this a proposition to be insisted -upon? Can it for a moment be maintained to this extent, and in this -broad and unqualified way? But, gentlemen, every profession and science -has its phrases; the necessary qualifications are by degrees lost sight -of, and the worst errors are thus introduced. - -“Let us then look at the mischief of this doctrine, and see the evils -and injustice that have arisen out of it. The notorious Titus Oates, -the witness for the Crown in the trials founded upon the Popish Plot, -in the reign of Charles the Second, that most infamous and perjured -wretch, who was afterwards convicted of perjury for his evidence upon -those trials, and suffered the punishment of the law for his crime, -was confirmed in his testimony in many most important particulars. -Unfortunately, the juries, misled in those times of heat and party -animosity, were prevailed upon to believe him, and many unhappy persons -suffered in consequence of the extreme punishment of the law; and -murders were committed, under the forms of justice, in consequence of -the reliance placed upon the frail and fallacious testimony of a man -of that description. You perceive, then, gentlemen, the danger of this -doctrine; and that it is not because a man is confirmed in certain -circumstances that you can safely believe him, as to other facts where -that confirmation is wanting. - -“What is the character of falsehood? Who has lived in the world, -and has at all examined the operations of the human heart and mind, -who does not know that this is the usual and proper character of -falsehood--that it does not wholly invent, falsehood engrafts itself -upon truth, and by that artifice misleads and deceives, truth is -exaggerated, things that exist are discoloured or distorted--these -are the usual operations of falsehood; this is a part of its nature, -its address and dexterity. It arises, therefore, out of the very -nature of perjury, that it must be confirmed to a certain extent; and -it is because there is confirmation in certain particulars, to which -particulars I shall, by-and-by, take the liberty of drawing your -attention, that you are gravely required to believe the whole of the -miserable fictions with which you have been insulted in the evidence of -this abandoned wretch. - -“But let us look with a little more accuracy to the shades and -distinctions upon this material point. I beg you to follow me; for it -is most important, according to my apprehension of the question. A man -may be seduced into the commission of an offence, who had previously -maintained a good character; he may repent of his crime, and give -information, and then come into court as a witness. If the story which -he tells is found to be probable; if he is not only uncontradicted in -any facts, but is confirmed in essential particulars; if there are -no circumstances of suspicion arising out of the situation in which -he stands, a jury, may, possibly, upon such evidence, be justified -in finding a verdict of guilty. I repeat it, that if the previous -character of the man were good; that if the story he tells is probable; -if it is not proved to be false in any part of it; if he is confirmed -in essential particulars, and there are no circumstances of suspicion -arising out of the persons with whom he is connected, and by whom he is -surrounded, then the Jury may give credit to his evidence. - -“He could not help observing, that, if he had desired the best friend -whom he had in the world to enlarge his mind by the infusion of good -sound legal opinions, or to compose for him a dissertation on this -express subject, that friend could not have given him any sentences so -adequate to the expression of the sentiments which he wished to convey -to the Jury, as were the sentences which he had just read to them. He -could have wished to have given them the book which contained these -sentences to keep in the box with them, but the practice of the Court -prevented him from doing so; he would, however, ask them to retain -them, if they could, in their minds, as a shield of protection for the -prisoner, against a man, who ought not to be believed on any one point, -but who had interwoven with his falsehoods many truths, which he had -acquired either from common report in common conversation, or which had -been impressed on his recollection by the injunction of those under -whom he acted. - -“The next step which he had to take, would be to comment on the -evidence, but before he entered into an examination of it, he should -beg leave to describe the nature of the defence which he was going -to make. He thought it, therefore, his duty, to say at once, that no -doubt could be entertained of Thistlewood having been at a meeting -in Cato-street, and that he, with the other members of that meeting, -had determined to murder all the Cabinet Ministers. To entertain a -doubt of the existence of the meeting, or the sanguinary designs which -those who attended it entertained, would be full as absurd as to doubt -the existence of light now that the sun was casting its full radiance -upon the Court. Whilst that meeting was in deep deliberation, it was -interrupted by the arrival of a party of police officers. In the affray -which ensued, Smithers met his death, or, he ought rather to speak out -plainly, was murdered. - -“Making, however, these concessions, and admitting the facts to be as -bad as bad could be against the prisoner at the bar, believing even, as -he did believe, that Thistlewood was guilty of the murder of Smithers, -still he maintained that his guilt did not amount to high treason. -He would admit, that from motives of a personal nature, Thistlewood -wished to kill one of his Majesty’s ministers; and that, in order to -effect that purpose, he had no objection to kill them all. The Jury -ought, however, to recollect that, whilst influenced by this wish, he -had always been accompanied by two spies: how far they had advised -these plots was not clear, but one thing was clear, that, upon such -evidence as theirs, they were called upon to convict Thistlewood of -high treason. That he had been guilty of murder he (Mr. Adolphus) was -not now going to dispute; but it was too bad that the crimes of murder -and treason should now be blended together, and that he should be -represented as meditating a crime which he never had for one moment in -his heart. - -“He had already stated to them, that if Adams’s evidence did not -convict Thistlewood, none else did, for the evidence of the other -witnesses was little or nothing. If, therefore, he shewed them, as -he hoped and trusted he should shew them, that the witness Adams was -totally unworthy of belief, then a verdict of acquittal must be given -for the prisoner at the bar. In order to convince them how totally -undeserving he (Adams) was of credit, he (Mr. Adolphus) should beg -leave to direct their attention to three points. He should ask them how -far Adams had been confirmed in that part of his evidence which related -to the treason; then how far he had been contradicted by his own -evidence, or that of others; and, lastly, how far he might have been -confirmed by others, if the Counsel for the Crown had thought proper to -call them. - -“What then was the testimony which Mr. Robert Adams had given to -them? He (Mr. Adolphus) would tell them. The man had commenced his -evidence by informing them, that he had been a soldier some years in -the Blues. That any subject of the King should entertain such schemes -as had been entertained by these alleged conspirators, was certainly -deplorable; but that a man in the situation of Adams, a soldier, sworn -to defend his Majesty to the best of his ability from all harm and -danger, should have voluntarily entered into them, and should never -have felt any of what he (Adams) had termed compunctious visitings as -to the guilt in which he was going to involve himself, until four days -after the execution of that guilt had been rendered impossible, was a -circumstance so atrocious as to deprive him of all claim to credibility -and respect. - -“This loyal soldier, however, proceeded to inform them, that he had -become acquainted with Brunt about three years ago, when the British -army was at Cambray, at which time Brunt was attending it in the -capacity of a shoemaker. After the dispersion of the army he lost sight -of him for some time, but afterwards met him again in the month of -January last, when Brunt introduced him to Thistlewood. Then occurred -one of the most extraordinary circumstances which he (Mr. Adolphus) -had ever heard of, though it appeared to be nothing else than the -fashion throughout the whole of this case. At his very first meeting -with this Mr. Adams, Thistlewood let him into the whole secret of his -traitorous designs. But could any one believe that Thistlewood himself -was so reckless of life, as to use language to a stranger equivalent -to this?--‘My fate is so hard, my circumstances are so desperate, -that I care not a straw what becomes of me. I put myself, and all my -designs, into your hands, without any regard to the consequences; and -yet those designs are so horrible and so sanguinary, that if you have -the slightest portion of loyal feeling about you, you must denounce -me to Government, you must hand me over to justice, you must embrace -the opportunity which I have given you of condemning me, without any -scruple, out of my own mouth.’ Was it possible that any man in his -senses could be thus blind and foolish? Could the most credulous man -alive be persuaded to attach credit to so incredible a story? He -thought not; and he therefore trusted, that on such evidence, they -would never find the prisoner guilty of high treason. - -“But though the prisoner, and those with whom he was connected, had -not meditated so great a crime as treason, the evidence inclined him -to believe, that after the perpetration of the bloody deeds which -they meditated, they had intended, under shelter of the confusion -which such atrocities would have created, to have commenced a general -plunder and devastation of the metropolis. Such an intention, though -it enhanced their guilt, did not make it amount to high treason; and, -indeed, any person who carefully perused the evidence, would observe -that it tallied well throughout with a design to plunder, but very -ill indeed with a design to depose the King and to alter the form -of Government. For what was it that Mr. Adams next said? Why, after -some conversation as to his excellence as a swordsman, Thistlewood is -represented as saying, ‘No man worth 10_l._ was worth any thing for -the good of his country. The tradesmen and shopkeepers of London were -a set of aristocrats together, and all worked under the same system of -government. He should like to see the day when all the shops should be -shut up and well plundered.’ Why, the whole intent of their conspiracy -was disclosed in this sentence. Here was nothing about depriving -the King of his style and dignity; but there was a good deal about -plundering the city. Their arms, too, were fitted for this purpose, -but not for overturning the Government, as must have been evident to -all, from the miserable display of their armory which had been so -ostentatiously made on the preceding evening. Therefore, unless they -could suppose, that to murder the man whom they hated, and to plunder -the shops during the trepidation ensuing on such murder, amounted to a -deposing of the King, they must acquit Thistlewood of high treason. - -“At another meeting, this formidable band of traitors declared that -they were so poor, that they could not wait longer than the ensuing -Wednesday for the effecting of their intended revolution. He left it to -the jury to say, whether such a declaration savoured more of plunder -or of high treason. But, in his opinion, a scheme of plunder was the -only thing which could be thus easily arranged; not a revolution in the -state, which must depend upon many fortuitous events and circumstances. -After this, their conversation became sportive; they gave certain -facetious nick-names to certain distinguished noblemen; how justly -it was not their business then to decide. This occurred on the 13th -of January, just one month and ten days before the transaction in -Cato-street. What occurred next, according to the testimony of the -respectable Mr. Adams? Why, that three days afterwards he was himself -arrested for a small debt, and carried to Whitecross-street prison, -which residence he did not leave until the 30th of January. Was this -man, who could not even preserve his liberty, more likely to be found -engaged in a design to destroy the state, or in a design to commit -pillage and plunder, to enrich himself? He had nothing to lose, he had -every thing to gain; and if the worst came to the worst, he had only to -save himself, and hang the rest of his companions, by turning King’s -evidence against them. - -“After Adams had got out of prison, he returned to his old friends, -and had several conversations with them, at all of which Edwards was -present. He wished to call their attention to this curious fact, that -Edwards, who could have proved all the conversations which had taken -place--Edwards, whose name was placed on the back of the indictment as -a witness to be summoned on behalf of the Crown, had never once been -put into the box. Shortly afterwards they took a room to themselves, -and had meetings in it twice or thrice every day. Adams attended -them all, became acquainted with all their projects, made himself an -active partner to all their intended atrocities; and yet, though a -soldier of the King’s, never disclosed a syllable of them to any of -the constituted authorities until he was apprehended. What next? Why, -between the 3d and the 16th of February, another conversation occurred; -and then this plot is described as assuming, for the first time, a -treasonable shape, ‘One evening,’ says this respectable witness, ‘I -went in and saw Harrison, Thistlewood and Brunt: Harrison said, that -he had been speaking to one of the horse-guards, who had told him that -the whole of their regiment would be down at Windsor on the King’s -funeral. He said that this would be a favourable opportunity to _kick -up a row_, and to see what could be done.’ Kick up a row! That very -phrase explained the whole matter--all the troops would not, indeed, be -out of town, but all the officers of police would, and therefore it was -a favourable opportunity to kick up a row, and to commit depredation. -‘Thistlewood’ continued Mr. Adams, ‘said that it was a good plan; -and, added, that if they could get the two pieces of cannon in Gray’s -Inn-lane, and the six pieces in the Artillery-ground, they would so -help themselves as to have possession of London before morning. He -also said, that when the news should reach Windsor, the soldiers would -be so tired from being up all night, as to be incapable of doing any -thing when they returned to London.’ In possession of London! Why -this fellow, with his military education, ought to have known that he -could not take military possession of any single respectable street in -the metropolis with ten times the number of men said to be engaged in -this wild attempt to overthrow a mighty empire. For were their numbers -unknown? No--their whole battalia was well known to consist of not more -than twenty-five men; and yet, with this mighty force, and with eight -pieces of artillery, they were to be able to keep possession of London, -because the poor dear soldiers would be tired to death by being kept up -on duty a whole night at Windsor. Were such idle dreams and dotages to -be credited in a court of justice? or were they to be dismissed from -their recollection with that scorn and contempt which was so eminently -their due? - -“Adams then represented Thistlewood continuing as follows:--‘By -persevering after they had got the cannon, and by using some activity, -they might go to Hyde-park and prevent any person or messenger from -going to Windsor, and giving the alarm. Another party should then -cross the water, and take the telegraph, to prevent any communication -being made at Woolwich of what was going forward at London.’ The man -who devised such a plan, might, indeed, be considered as mad--but at -least there was method in his madness. Roads were to be commanded in -this, important diversions operated in that direction, telegraphs to be -seized in one town, and soldiers paralyzed in another. All this, too, -was to be done by twenty-five men and eight pieces of artillery, who -were to be gifted, in addition to all their other qualifications, with -the most wonderful ubiquity. - -“That a wicked man, or that even a madman, might devise such a -project, he could easily believe; but that any man should propose -it as a feasible project to any body of men, was more than he could -ever be induced to credit. For no story of oriental romance was -so extravagant--no exploit of any hero of school divinity was so -inconsistent with reason and probability, as was the design which Adams -had shown to have been recommended by Thistlewood to his associates. -And yet these men were to form a provisional government, and the -forming of this provisional government was to constitute a chief point -of their guilt! They form a provisional government for this mighty -empire! In what way? by what means? out of what materials? Out of those -illiterate and beggarly individuals, he supposed, who could not agree -on the drawing up, on cartridge-paper, of three lines, to be exposed on -the great day of the revolution on the blazing buildings of London, for -the good of the people. - -“This provisional government, formed from such materials as he had -described, was not to begin the exercise of its authority, however, -until the soldiers, who were to be tired to death by sitting up all -night at Windsor, were fairly disposed of. From his talking thus coolly -of tiring the poor soldiers to death by the labours of one night, -it was quite clear that Adams, with all his military education, had -either never heard of such a thing as a bivouac, or else that he had -conceived all virtue and all valour, as well as all honesty, to have -left the army when he quitted it. The provisional government being -formed, it was only natural to expect that the business of the drama -would crowd more thickly upon the Jury, and therefore they might be -excused for asking what came next. Why, the provisional government was -to send to the sea-ports to prevent any gentlemen from leaving England -without passports: it was to send to Dover, to Brighton, to Margate, -to Ramsgate, and other places, orders to that effect; to send to all -of them, too, during the night of the King’s funeral--and, above all, -was to send these orders to Brighton in particular. Why so? because -the mention of Brighton brought the prisoner at the bar into contact -with the reigning Sovereign, and laid a foundation for a charge of high -treason. - -“The King, however, was not at that time at Brighton, but unfortunately -confined to his palace in London by so severe an indisposition as to -require the issuing of daily bulletins regarding the state of his -health. From that indisposition he had now recovered, and he (Mr. -Adolphus) prayed to God that he might long be preserved from the -recurrence of it. The prisoner at the bar, however, if they were to -believe the testimony of Adams, was of opinion, that the present family -had inherited the throne long enough, and that it was of no use for the -present King to think of ever being crowned.” - -The learned Counsel proceeded, “Thus, gentlemen, is the secret -detected! Here is the word of the wise and the edict of the powerful! -By means like these was the greatest metropolis in the world to be -taken, the great roads of communication with the country occupied, -and the sea-port towns seized! Yet, by this shameless fabricator of -incredible falsehood, and by him alone, is the first count of the -indictment supported. It required the greatest human fortitude of face -to state it. Well, it was discovered that the first Cabinet dinner was -to be given. Cabinet dinners were said to be suspended during the death -of the late King, and the illness of the present. On occasion of this -first Cabinet dinner the plan was to be executed. Mark, now, how this -story breaks itself to pieces! - -“On the 16th of February the plot is formed; yet then there was no -ministry, and no intention of a Cabinet dinner. This is flagrant, -gross, and palpable, too palpable for detection, too flagrant -for exaggeration. Several meetings are said to have been held at -Fox’s-court. It was found, on the 19th February, that the soldiers had -done their duty, and were not to be surprised, therefore something new -must be devised. For this purpose comes the ever memorable information -in _The New Times_. They had nothing in view but plunder; they sought -only the surest way to plunder. Poverty was their goad, plunder their -aim. Their designs were not directed against any individuals, however -exalted, but as means of plunder. But a committee was appointed, and -we see them assembled on the 20th. This is eminently worthy of your -attention. On Sunday, at eleven o’clock in the morning, when the snow -fell so thick that one could scarcely see his way, the committee met. -Tidd took the chair at this rehearsal of the provisional government. -Tidd sat in the chair with a pike in his hand. Thistlewood took his -station on his right; Brunt was on the left; Thistlewood opens:--‘I -presume you know what you have met here for; I mean the west-end -job.’ This is presumptuous enough, certainly. Brunt speaks next: he -never speaks without an oath, and he, characteristically, says, -‘D--n my eyes, mention it out.’ Tidd calls to order. So orderly was -this meeting! Thistlewood then proposes to assassinate the ministers -separately, as they cannot be got together. - -“Their arrangements for this are like all the other arrangements; -barracks were to be taken, cannons carried away, ministers -assassinated, government subverted, the Mansion House occupied, all by -fifteen or twenty men. Twenty-five were the greatest number ever spoken -to. Twenty-five would find themselves completely lost in the Mansion -House; they might as well wander through the Tower of Babel. Palin, -who was to be particularly important in his services, was to travel -from place to place with satchels of burning materials on his back, -and was alone to set fire to several places. Mr. Palin alone was to be -seen wandering about, setting fire to houses for amusement, or for the -perfection of their plan. Each individual was to have his distinct act -of assassination; whoever failed was to be himself assassinated. But -who the spare assassin was, to assassinate the rest if they failed, was -not told. But this is one of the many fictions which you are called -upon to swallow. - -“The witness ventured, for the first time, to express here some -difficulty, and asked whether, if failure proceeded from unavoidable -causes, and not from cowardice, the same consequence must follow. -Thistlewood relieved him from this apprehension. But how the -court-martial was to be formed to try the case was not discovered. -Such, gentlemen, is the delirium of delusion, or the suggestions of -frenzy, which you are called upon to believe. Mr. Palin delivers a -speech in parliamentary form. ‘Agreeing as I do with the plan proposed, -I wish to know where men are to be found.’ Then he asks whether the -plan is to be communicated to those he meant to call upon. Thistlewood -authorizes him to use his own discretion. Gentlemen, if you find in -this testimony some remote pointing to probability, believe it; but can -you, for a moment, hesitate respecting this gross and flagrant fiction? -Furnival’s Inn was selected for setting fire to. No building is less -liable to be burnt. It is a modern building, and there are strong -party-walls. Other places, which I shall not name, and where some of -us live, would be much fitter. Many places between Furnival’s Inn and -Fetter-lane, all timber, would take fire at once. But Furnival’s Inn -appeared fittest in fiction. - -“The witness had been in prison, and having forgotten that Furnival’s -Inn was rebuilt, and inventing what he should say to the Privy-Council, -he represented Furnival’s Inn as the place to be burnt, because, in -its former state, it would readily take fire. The Privy Council, -their clerk, as well as the Attorney General, I believe, gave him no -assistance; they only placed him before an impartial jury. You know -that if the plan were contemplated and effected, a chandler’s shop at -Charing-cross, where the various communications diverge into the town, -would create more alarm. But this suited the grossness of fiction, or -the fondness of delusion, by which this witness looked for impunity -and reward. We now come to the business of the exchequer. Brunt says, -“D----n my eyes, though I have not worked for some time, I have a -1_l._ note, and I shall give it for a treat.” You will not, gentlemen, -suppose that I repeat these oaths as feeling pleasure in doing so. It -is painful to me, and disgusting to you; but, in my humble judgment, it -is not a needless repetition. - -“Suppose Brunt’s generous purpose accomplished, it will give a slice of -cheese, a piece of bread, and a glass of gin to each. It appears that -6_s._ was the largest sum seen with them: there was 1_s._ on another -occasion; there was 7_d._ for a newspaper, 7_s._ 7_d._ was the treasury -then. Whether this and the prospect of sharing in the produce of a -1_l._ note, could induce fifteen men to subvert the Government, I leave -you to judge. Nothing stimulated them, then, but the hope of plunder. -When they should have done something to create alarm, they expected to -have full liberty of plunder. - -“Thus have I endeavoured, gentlemen, by hours stolen from my rest, to -lay before you the real character of their intentions. My Lord will -fairly state the law to you; I need not, therefore, anticipate any -thing on that subject. At the meeting on the 21st, information is said -to have been given that their proceedings were known at Bow-street, -and at the Secretary of State’s office. We might have had evidence -whether this information could be well founded, but we have none. Next -day, the 22d, the cabinet dinner is announced. Who announces it? Mr. -Edwards. This corresponds with what is in evidence before you, that the -intelligence was fabricated, and put into the paper for this purpose. -“Poverty goads on these men; it is fit,” said the prompters, “that we -put them on to what will serve our own purposes.” - -“The Court reporter himself did not know of the cabinet dinner. He has -told you, that the word ‘grand’ could not be applied by him, as one -cabinet dinner was not grander than another. You see, then, how it has -been fabricated. I will here once more allude to the execrations of -Brunt, and from this time dismiss them from your observation. - -“The Attorney General animadverted properly on the impiety and obduracy -of heart which the language of Brunt indicated. If it was true, his -infamy baffles description. It is, that up to that moment he had been -an infidel, but he had been praying to God, and he now believed, -because his prayer was answered. Such are the words uttered by the -fiction-making witness’s mouth. ‘I have prayed to God, in whom I did -not believe, to put in our power innocent men, who are highly favoured -in this world.’ These are the fictions of a gross, rank, ignorant, -conspirator; they defy the grasp of human investigation; they almost -persuade us to believe them, because they are impossible. We are almost -led to say, as one said on another occasion, ‘I believe it, because no -man would invent what is so incredible.’ But, on a question of life and -death, gentlemen, you will not listen to such fictions; you will not -regard such fantastical decoys. Perforated by the witness’s own act, -his creation sinks to the bottom of the sea; it can form neither buoy -nor vessel--it is sunk and destroyed for ever. But he is an infamous -witness who cannot be believed at all. You find himself next in the -chair; and when one turns upon him like a bull-dog, and another like a -bear, he remains firm. - -“It was then resolved to have a watch set upon Lord Harrowby’s -house. This was certainly done, and was a part of the plan which was -undoubtedly formed to murder his Majesty’s Ministers. But after that -should have been done, so barren were they of invention, that they were -to fall back on their old plan of carrying away cannons without horses; -of occupying posts without men; and of performing great deeds without -any means. - -“Provisional Government! Unless the pronouncing of these words were to -‘raise spirits from the vasty deep,’ I know not what it could mean. -A printing press, one would have thought, was indispensable. But no -means of printing a placard had they. Their proclamations were written -on a piece of cartridge paper. I beg pardon, let me not understate the -means possessed by them; on three pieces of cartridge paper were the -magical words written. ‘Your tyrants are destroyed.’ Ministers were the -tyrants then. Be it so. This is not high treason. It might have been -murder; but it is not high treason. ‘The friends of liberty are invited -to come forward.’ If this were told by a witness deserving of faith, it -would stagger belief; told by one tainted as this witness is, it can -excite no inclination towards faith. On the blazing building, I think I -am correct in stating it so, these proclamations were to be stuck up, -in order that the friends of liberty, happening to pass by the ruins, -might know that a provisional government was sitting, we know not -where, or for what purpose. - -“Is it possible, gentlemen, to sacrifice human life upon evidence like -this? Is it possible to credit evidence that has no point of contact -with common sense? The Provisional Government, dropped from the clouds, -is sitting: the finger-post is destroyed, with the blazing building to -which it was attached; you know not where the Provisional Government is -to be found. - -“The witness stated, that Ings, the butcher, was arrayed in a belt -and two bags. The articles which were exhibited to you last night -are removed from the table to-day. The bags were to carry human -heads. If there is in the human mind any thing so atrocious as to -crown assassination with an exhibition like this, I am truly, truly -heart-struck with sorrow for it. I was led to review the French -Revolution, to which allusion has been made by the Attorney General, -and at that early age every drop of blood in my body was chilled with -horror at human heads paraded through the streets, and at the atrocious -barbarities inflicted on the royal family. I rejoiced that the country -to which I belonged was free from such crimes. - -“From the hasty view I took of the bags, and it did not occur to me -till I left the Court, but from the hasty view I took, I think they -are not large enough to contain a human head. I am told that they are: -if so, I only say it has the impression of a hasty view. But, for -God’s sake, let us not decide by these ignorant visions. Was not Lord -Harrowby’s plate, the salvers and goblets, &c., a more natural object -of desire, and not heads, which, if any carried, every hand would -instinctively strike him from the face of the earth? The hand of Lord -Castlereagh was to be put into pickle, whether in order to be shewn -for money, as might appear suitable to the situation of Ings, or to be -exhibited as a trophy, does not appear. - -“The witness says, when the officers entered the loft in Cato-street, -they cried out, ‘Here’s a pretty nest of you,’ &c. I shall afterwards -remark upon this, because I think it pregnant with importance as to -the witness’s testimony, for I think he was not there at all. With the -experience which you have had in courts of justice, some of you may -have felt astonished that my learned friend did not proceed further -into the cross-examination of this witness. Every art has its own -difficulties, and my learned friend never shewed more consummate skill -in his art than when he refrained from further cross-examination of -this witness. - -“When my learned friends, the Solicitor General and Mr. Gurney -asked questions of this witness, which were the natural and regular -inquiries, you heard him refuse to answer, and add, ‘No, I have -something else to say before I come to that.’ When their experience and -judgment suggested the proper questions, he would not let his contrived -and fabricated tale be mutilated. ‘No,’ says the untractable witness, -‘I have not come to that yet.’ If my learned friend had wasted time -in cross-examination, he could only have got repetitions of the same -words. Such testimony is not to be overthrown by cross-examination, -but by his manner before you, and by the probability of the statements -he makes. But this important declaration was got from him by -cross-examination. - -“When my learned friend asked him, in the words quoted by the Attorney -General from a great poet, whether he had given information from -‘compunctious visitings,’ he replied, that conscience alone made him -disclose what he knew. He is quiet from the murder of Smithers on -Wednesday night till Saturday, when he plumes his wings, and goes to -the Privy-Council to disburthen his heart. I have had a good deal of -experience of the evidence of such persons; and I have heard one, who -was chairman of the quarter-sessions for Middlesex twenty-six years, -say, that, from the moment that observation was made by an accomplice, -he was not to be believed, because that was incredible. Apply that -here. He sees the murderer, and goes away, unconcerned as if nothing -had happened. He rests on the stings of his conscience for four days. -He must think that you have no hearts yourselves--no consciousness of -the operations of human feelings--if he imagines that you can believe -what no schoolboy would give credit to. - -“Have I used levity upon this subject? for God’s sake, absolve me -from the intention! Have I treated lightly the contemplation of -assassinating men possessing and deserving the highest veneration? -For God’s sake, excuse the observations which the absurdity of the -evidence made necessary! I cannot hear, without indignation, that the -wisdom which has so long presided in one of the most important of our -Courts, was thus to become a corpse; and that the valour which fought -at Waterloo (for the Duke of Wellington was to have been at the dinner) -was to have fallen by assassins. From these two take the measure of -all. - -“When the destruction of worth and wisdom, of learning and talent, is -thus contemplated, the most hardened and flinty heart that ever dwelt -in a human bosom recoils with horror, and melts with compassion. - -“If then, I have used a light expression, impute it, gentlemen, to -inadvertence of language, and not to hardness of heart, because the -absurdity of the witness made the observations I offered unavoidable. - -“Let us now see how far this witness is supported by other witnesses. -Mary Rogers proves his statement as to the lodgings; Joseph Hall -confirms him to a similar extent. Lord Harrowby and his servant -confirms him so far, as to prove the intention of giving his cabinet -dinner on Wednesday night. Of this there is no doubt. Hyden is proved -to have spoken to his Lordship in the Park. Three witnesses are called, -which was not necessary, to prove that the room in Cato-street had -been taken; but the parade of confirmation in this matter is meant to -cast an air of credibility over other parts of the evidence. I now -advert to collateral confirmations. The sharpening of Ings’s sword, the -acquaintance of Harrison with the state of the barracks, the redeeming -of a blunderbuss from pawn for murder, not treason, have been all -proved. - -“It is true, Hyden and Dwyer are not accomplices, they are to be -believed, if their testimony is credible. Hyden long ago, before -his late Majesty’s death, states to Wilson, with whom alone he was -acquainted, that grenades were to be thrown under the table, and -that those who should escape were to be killed with the sword. But -he mentions no ulterior object deserving of the name of treason. -Whatever the object might be, Hyden goes first to Lord Castlereagh, -who was the object of their peculiar spleen; then not finding him, -to Lord Harrowby. But what the nature of their plan was you may -judge from this that, Wilson would not, for the accomplishment of -it, lose a shilling or half-a-crown to be gained by going with cream -to a nobleman. He knew that no such thing as a revolution was to be -done. This, gentlemen, is not the way that kings are destroyed, and -governments overthrown. - -“I do not say that the question should not enter into your -consideration, but I say that you cannot find a verdict for the -Attorney General, if you do not believe Adams; and I have laboured very -much in vain, if you have not dismissed his evidence from your minds. -Monument has not in the slightest degree confirmed Adams as to the -proceedings previously to those in Cato-street; and he has no memory of -having ever seen so remarkable a man as Adams at Cato-street. Monument -knew nothing of the murder of Ministers, and the expectation of plunder -as the consequence of its effects on others. - -“You have next the very extraordinary and very irregular evidence of -Dwyer. He, according to his own account, is a very modest bricklayer, -and has for thirty years served one master. His conscience told him, -and he told Thistlewood, “It is a very hard thing for me to inveigle -the minds of men.” A man who had such notions of right and wrong, ought -to have told him that it was very wrong to murder. He gave information -to Colonel James within an hour of the time the communication was -made to him on the 23d of February. Colonel James advised him to go -to the Secretary of State. He tells that Thistlewood was in five or -six revolutions. I don’t know Thistlewood’s history or revolutions. -[Here the learned Council read large extracts of Dwyer’s evidence.] -Here is evident intention of riot, but nothing of a revolution; and it -is remarkable that there is not a tittle of mention of a Provisional -Government. - -“The whole fabric of treason falls to the ground like the card-house -of a baby. Adams sees not what is done in Cato-street. Monument sees -not Adams, and is not seen by Adams. Dwyer sees neither Adams nor -Monument on any occasion. Monument, like Wilson, is so cold in the -cause, that, when he has a pair of shoes to mend, he pays no attention -to the plot. This is not evidence on which you can believe the -existence of treason. - -“As a plot, it is beneath the attention of Government. - -“That plan of assassination which has filled the nation with horror, -was such, that nothing can be too effectual to guard against it, and -the utmost vigilance of the magistrates ought to be exercised to -prevent a mischief so nefarious from finding shelter in society. But -I will say, in the words of a great writer, that ‘the chirpings of -the grasshoppers disturb not the stately ox, who grazes unconscious -of their noise.’ So is it unworthy of the Government of this country -to prosecute as traitors some dozen of ragged beggars, impatient of -extreme poverty. - -“I shall point out to you in what points Adams is materially -contradicted. Here you will remember that one contradiction is of -more importance than ten thousand confirmations. Confirmations to any -extent, only prove that the witness spoke truth to that extent; one -contradiction proves the unprincipled contempt of an oath, and the -wilful fabrication of falsehood. - -“The learned gentleman again adverted to the meetings which were held -in the house where Brunt lodged, and asked, ‘was it not strange that -the landlady, Mrs. Rogers, should have known nothing of those frequent -meetings, where so many persons attended, and where such noises were -made as had been described. Would not the Jury think it a very singular -circumstance that the landlady should have been ignorant of all this -passing in her own house?’ Let the Jury now look to the account given -by Adams of what passed in Cato-street. He stated that there was only -one candle lighted. The officers, however, proved that there were -eight, and that they were all put out on the firing of the pistol. He -was equally incorrect in describing what was said. It was not as he -swore, ‘there is a pretty nest of you.’ No; for the evidence of the -officers themselves went only to the words,--‘We are officers, lay down -your arms.’ He (Adams) knew when in prison, that something was said -by the officers, and he made that account which he thought the least -likely to be contradicted. - -“What would the Jury infer from those contradictions and -inconsistencies in his evidence; but, that he was a man who respected -neither God nor his Gospel, and who swore to that which he knew to be -untrue. Would they, under such circumstances, attach any weight to -his evidence? But he (Mr. Adolphus) would come to another part of his -evidence, where he was not only contradicted with the account given by -others, but where he was inconsistent with himself. - -“It would be recollected, that he swore to Strange being present at -the meetings on two occasions; yet, when Strange was put to the bar he -could not recognise him--not point him out whom he swore to as having -been present at two meetings held in the open day. Was this the man -upon whose evidence the Jury could return a verdict, which would affect -the life of the unfortunate prisoner at the bar. - -“He now begged the attention of the jury to another part of the case. -They had heard of the name of Edwards in this case; this man, who lived -at 166, Fleet-street, who afterwards lived at Ranelagh-place, why was -not this man called? He was not an accomplice in any criminal degree, -as must be inferred from the conduct of Government in letting him go -quite at large. Why was not this man called? They would then have the -spy to support the testimony of the informer. He could tell the Jury -why; because it was remembered what had been the effect of calling a -witness of a similar description on a former occasion. The witness -then produced underwent a long and able cross-examination from the -Counsel employed for the prisoners, and the result was, that he and -his testimony were put out of Court together, and had no other effect -on the minds of the Jury, than to convince them that the whole was a -fabrication. - -“If Edwards had been called, he would have told the Jury how this case -had been got up; for he was well acquainted with the whole machinery of -it. It would be recollected, that it was he who made the fusee for the -hand-grenades; what would the Jury infer from his non-appearance, but -that the whole of this case, as far as related to the charge of high -treason, was a fabrication destitute of any foundation whatever. - -“He would now come to a part of the statement made by the -Attorney-General in his address to the Jury. He had said, that -he supposed a part of the defence would be, that the Jury should -discredit the whole of this story, from its great improbability. He -(Mr. Adolphus) had never any such intention, nor did he think, that -the youngest advocate at the bar would have attempted such a line of -defence. - -“To deny the existence of a plan, however wild and visionary, on the -ground that it was improbable, would be to go in the face of the most -authentic historic authority. He would take as an example one of the -most familiar cases on record. The Earl of Essex, it was known, in a -moment of moody displeasure with Queen Elizabeth, did not contrive a -regular plan for displacing her from the throne, but in the instant -he rushed forth into the streets, at the head of some few of his -followers, and endeavoured to stir up the citizens to rebellion; -imagining that the people might be induced to second his scheme, and -effect in a moment that which he had madly fancied. - -“This was a most wild and visionary plan; but, if we were reject it on -the ground of its improbability, we should be blotting a page from our -history, the truth of which was never before doubted. No, it was not -his intention to deny the existence of the present plan, on the ground -of its improbability, but he wished the Jury to disbelieve the witness, -on the ground of the improbability of the plot as he had described -it. When, in the course of yesterday, they saw the pikes, and swords, -and pistols and guns, and hand-grenades, which were taken from the -prisoners, or at their houses, no doubt they might have felt some alarm. - -“They might have participated in the feelings of some persons who -were near him at that moment; one of whom said, he should not like -to have one of those instruments presented to his breast. No doubt; -nobody would like it: but let the Jury seriously consider, how those -instruments were to be applied. If they took the twelve hundred rounds -of ball-cartridge which were said to have been taken, and divided them -by twenty-four, they would find that they had just ammunition enough -only for fifty men; but where were those fifty men--or if they were -in existence, where were the arms to use this ammunition with? They -had only seen a few guns and pistols, and putting them together, there -was not sufficient for a party to commit more than an ordinary highway -robbery with. Could it be supposed that it was ever intended to upset a -government, and dethrone a sovereign, by such means? Was there, taking -the evidence of those who appeared before them, recollecting that -others who might have been called were kept out of the way; was there, -he would ask, sufficient to shew that the object of the prisoners was -to upset the government and constitution of this country? He thought he -could shew, that their object was quite of another description. - -“Let the Jury look at the situation in which the prisoner at the bar -stood. They had, as was stated by the Attorney General, often before -heard of him. He had, not very long before the present transaction, -been released from Horsemonger-lane prison, where he had been confined -in consequence of a letter sent to my Lord Sidmouth. He came forth -from that prison with rancorous feelings against that noble lord, and -probably against others of his Majesty’s ministers; would not such a -man be a fit subject to work upon, in proposing an attack upon the -lives of those ministers? Must not the Jury suppose that the other -prisoners would have heated feelings, after the transaction which -took place at Manchester? He would not offer any comments upon that -transaction, further than to say, that all which was said and written -upon it, was not without an effect; and, on the minds of the prisoners, -would it be strange, that an artful and cunning man might work such -an effect as to excite them to the murder of his Majesty’s ministers, -which would not of itself amount to high treason? With their feelings -worked up, some of them with strong personal enmity against some of -those ministers, they had determined upon making an attack upon several -of them at their houses. - -“They were in this state, when forth came the never-to-be-forgotten -announcement in _The New Times_, placed there by the hand that was to -betray them, that a Cabinet dinner was to take place on the Wednesday -following at Lord Harrowby’s. Did not the whole of their conduct -shew that it was against the ministers themselves that the attack was -intended, and not against the government, or with a view of effecting -a revolution? and was there not proof, that this personal feeling was -excited by some of the recent transactions at Manchester to which he -had alluded? What was the speech which Ings was to have made on the -arrival of the party at Lord Harrowby’s house, where the ministers -were expected to be assembled? ‘My lords, you see we have got men as -good as the Manchester yeomanry;’ and then, turning to his associates, -‘Citizens, advance, and do your duty!’ - -“During the whole of these proceedings, nothing was heard of any -intended attack upon Carlton-House, or upon any of the branches of -the illustrious family of Brunswick. There was no such thing. The -whole which their preparations and intentions embraced, were--first, -the murder of his Majesty’s ministers, and then robbery. This was the -object of setting fire to some houses, that plunder might be obtained -in the confusion which might be thereby created. - -“These, to be sure, were heinous crimes, but they did not amount to -the charge of high treason against the prisoners. The setting fire -to buildings, with the intention of robbing in the confusion which -the fire would create, was not, unfortunately, a novel case. He was -old enough to remember, and perhaps some of the jury might also -recollect the circumstance of the setting fire to the premises of a -timber-merchant, in order to rob a pawn-broker’s shop, which was close -by it. Indeed, the manner in which some of the prisoners had spoken of -the shopkeepers of London, shewed that their object was plunder, and it -appeared that bags were made for the purpose of holding such plunder. - -“He had now gone through the whole of the points on which it was his -intention to trouble the Jury. He had done so, perhaps, imperfectly, -but he would not apologize for the time which he had delayed them. He -had not, on this occasion, all the preparation which was desirable. On -the contrary, he had but a very short notice of the duty which he was -to perform; and, he remembered, on a former occasion, that one of the -most learned Counsel at the bar expressed his inadequacy to a similar -task, though he stated, that he had occupied a month in preparing for -the defence. - -“In pleading for the life of the unfortunate man at the bar, and, -after him, of the other prisoners, it was not too much for him to -ask the Jury to consider well the nature of the evidence which had -been given in support of the charge of high treason. He now, however, -left the case entirely with the Jury. If they thought, under all the -circumstances, that there was evidence sufficient to prove the charge, -then he should submit; but if, on the other hand, they were of opinion -that the case was not made out, or that it was not proved to their -satisfaction, they would, he was confident, acquit the prisoner. - -“The learned gentleman again expressed his own inability to give the -Jury a perfect direction on this important trial; and concluded by -praying that God might direct and enlighten their minds on the awful -occasion, so that they might administer impartial justice, always -remembering that the highest attribute of justice was mercy; and that, -whether the result of their verdict should be, that the prisoner -would only have a week to live, or run out his days to that length to -which Providence might please to extend them, it would be dictated by -justice, tempered with mercy.” - - -The _Lord Chief Justice_ now addressed the prisoner, and said, if you -wish to offer any thing for yourself, in addition to what has been -said by your Counsel, you are at liberty so to do. - -_Thistlewood._--I wish, my Lord, to have two witnesses examined to the -testimony of Dwyer. There is a man in Court who will prove that Dwyer -extorted money from him. - -The _Lord Chief Justice_.--You must not state that; you should have -consulted with your Counsel. The time for giving evidence is now past. - -_Thistlewood._--I will waive it then, my Lord. I have nothing further -to offer. - - -The SOLICITOR-GENERAL now commenced his reply. He said, “That in rising -to address the Jury in support of this prosecution, he felt that he had -a most anxious and painful duty to discharge. As the servant of the -public on this occasion, it was his duty to perform the service with -which that public had intrusted him to the utmost of his ability and -power. He was anxious, therefore, that nothing should be omitted on his -part for the purpose of presenting this case in a fair and proper view -before them. At the same time, he felt anxious that, in the prosecution -of what he was about to state, he should not misrepresent a single -fact, far less a single argument, against the prisoner, or offer an -observation which the justice of the case might not fairly warrant. - -“He begged leave to join with his learned friend (Mr. Adolphus) in -praying the gentlemen of the Jury to dismiss from their minds all -prejudices and impressions unfavourable to the prisoner, and to confine -their attention solely and undividedly to the evidence which had been -laid before them, on the oaths of the witnesses whom they had heard. -In saying this, he was aware that it was superfluous and unnecessary. -He was addressing an English Jury--a body of men sworn to administer -justice to the public on the one hand, and to the prisoner on the -other; and he ought to apologize for suggesting a doubt, that, in the -discharge of their momentous duty, they would not keep their eyes -steadily fixed on the evidence, upon which the fate of the person at -the bar must ultimately turn. - -“The situation in which the prisoner then stood was an admirable proof -of the excellent system of our laws, and of their being built and -formed upon the principles of liberty and freedom. They had had it not -only proved in evidence, but admitted by the Counsel for the prisoner, -that he had projected and harboured in his mind the assassination of -the confidential servants of the Crown. - -“They were aware of the passions and prejudices which were excited by -this discovery in the public mind, and they saw that this prosecution -was not commenced, nor was the unfortunate man placed upon his trial, -until an opportunity was afforded for those passions and prejudices to -subside. Independent of this, he was entitled to the delivery to him -of all the particulars of the accusation which he was called upon to -answer; and these particulars had been delivered to him at a period -so far back as three weeks from the present time. This indulgence -was granted to him, in order that he might have an opportunity of -consulting Counsel as to any point of law, or any objection which might -arise in his favour; and in order also that he might bring forward such -testimony as might be necessary to his defence. He had also a list -of all the Jurymen, who could by possibility be called to sit on his -trial, and these he might reject, without assigning a cause, to the -number of thirty-five. - -“On this account he was justified in saying, that the Jury whom he was -then addressing, whatever might be the result of their deliberations, -was a Jury of the prisoner’s own choice. The prisoner, also, had -received a list of the witnesses who were to be called by the Crown. -That list was furnished in order that he might have an opportunity -of inquiring into the previous character, history, and conduct of -every witness who might be called against him, and for the purpose of -enabling him to impeach their character, if his inquiry should enable -him so to do. Such was the benevolent spirit of the British law; and -such the advantages to which a man, placed in the situation of the -prisoner, was entitled. - -“The charge against the prisoner was, that of having conspired to -overturn the Constitution under which that system of Government -existed. It was a question whether the substitution of the Government -which he might have contemplated, would have been distinguished by -a character of so admirable a description. He had no doubt that the -Jury would pay that anxious and careful attention to this case which -its importance demanded, and that they would not come to a verdict of -Guilty, unless they were satisfied that that verdict was justified -by the clearest evidence. But, at the same time, he called upon them -to perform their duty, fearless of all consequences; to turn neither -to the right nor to the left, but to pronounce such a verdict as was -consistent with a proper feeling towards their country, and with a due -regard to the solemn obligation into which they had entered. - -“With respect to the law upon the subject, it was not necessary to -trouble them with any observation. In the charge against the prisoner -there was nothing of a difficult or questionable description. He was -charged with conspiring for the purpose of overturning the Government -of the country, and with endeavouring to accomplish that by means of -the assassination of his Majesty’s Ministers. If the Jury, upon a due -and careful examination of the evidence, were satisfied that he had so -conspired, and that he had been found taking measures to accomplish -that object, then, in point of law, he was guilty of the crime imputed -to him. It was admitted on all hands that a plot had been formed to -assassinate the Ministers of the King, and not to assassinate one, -two, or three, of those individuals against whom the prisoner might -be supposed to have some personal enmity. The blow had been aimed not -against one, but against all. - -“The Jury would consider whether such an intention was founded with a -view to overturn the Government of the country; or, whether, as had -been fancifully surmised by the Counsel for the prisoner, the sole -object had been the plunder of private property, and the gratification -of private revenge. They would look with jealousy to the testimony -which had been adduced before them, and upon that they would conclude -whether the steps which had been taken were directed by the desire of -promoting revolution, or solely with a view of obtaining plunder in the -confusion which would necessarily follow. - -“In considering the evidence of an accomplice, they would naturally -look to his previous character; they would see whether there was any -thing in his former course of life, from whence to conclude that he was -a man capable of pursuing a continued and undeviating course of crime; -but, above all, they would consider from all the circumstances of the -case, what degree of credit ought fairly to be given to his evidence. -He knew of no law that applied to accomplices, which did not apply to -every other witness who came into a Court of Justice. - -“The evidence of every witness ought to be examined with care and -jealousy, and in proportion only as his story was consistent with -probability was he entitled to belief. Now let them look to the fair -test upon which the evidence of Adams was to be tried. His character, -up to the time of his entering into the diabolical schemes of the -prisoner, was unimpeached; and, if any thing could be urged on that -score, no doubt the prisoner Brunt, with whom he had been intimately -acquainted, would not fail to have adduced it. In so much, therefore, -he stood upon fair and eligible grounds. - -“Then they would ask themselves, what interest he could have in stating -that which was not true? The more criminal the plot which he disclosed, -the blacker hue he gave to his own reputation; and, added to this, he -knew that, from the candour and correctness of his confession could he -alone hope for mercy towards himself. Then he must be aware, that if he -stated that which was false, his story was capable of contradiction, -and therefore altogether fruitless. So that, in every point of view, he -was a competent witness. As was before said, however, the Jury still -had the power of exercising their own sound discretion, and of placing -in him only that degree of confidence which he seemed to deserve, and -which the confirmation he had received fairly justified. - -“The learned counsel for the prisoner had made use of the gratuitous -expression, that this man, Adams, was the only witness to prove the -case. Was this the fact? Were there not three other witnesses who -all spoke to the same occurrences; he alluded to Monument, Hiden, -and Dwyer; the two latter of whom were, in all respects pure and -uncontaminated; for what had been said of Dwyer was absolutely beneath -consideration. These men were all unknown to each other--had never seen -each other--and yet they all agreed in their story as to the plan for -assassinating his Majesty’s Ministers, seizing cannon, providing arms, -burning houses, and establishing a provisional government. Independent -of these, a variety of other witnesses had been examined, who spoke to -points trivial in themselves, but all confirmatory of Adams, and, as it -were, completely dovetailing with the most minute parts of his story. - -“This was the case with regard to Brunt’s apprentice; to the landlady -of the house in which Brunt lived, and her daughter; to the officers by -whom Brunt’s house had been searched; and even to Tidd’s own daughter, -whose story was precisely consistent with the plan which had been -detailed, but which had been so providentially frustrated. In fact, -each witness formed a link in the general chain, which was complete in -all its parts. But there was a still stronger argument in favour of all -that had been stated, and that was, that it had not been contradicted -by evidence, although such evidence was capable of being produced. -For, if what Adams had disclosed was not true, why were Potter, and -Cook, and Palin, to all of whom he spoke as having been present at the -various meetings which took place, and who were eligible witnesses for -the prisoner, not called. - -“The absence of these men afforded an additional reason for giving -implicit belief to all which the witnesses for the crown had said. The -learned gentleman then proceeded in a luminous and eloquent strain, -still farther to illustrate his argument, and with great ingenuity -to contend that it was impossible, under all the circumstances of -the case, for the Jury to come to any other conclusion than that the -several charges of high treason imputed to the prisoner had been -established beyond all doubt. If, however, as had been said by his -learned friend (Mr. Adolphus) any doubt did exist, to the benefit of -that doubt the prisoner was fully entitled.” - -Lord Chief-Justice Abbot proceeded to sum up. “This, he said, was an -indictment against Arthur Thistlewood, the prisoner then at the bar, -and several other persons, who, in the progress of the trial, had -appeared at the bar, in order to be identified for the crime of HIGH -TREASON. That offence had truly been stated as the highest crime known -to the law. It was so, because it did not merely produce individual and -private evil, as most other crimes did, but, in addition to that, it -created great and extensive public mischief. - -“A charge so grave and serious required therefore, at the hands of an -English Jury (and would, he was sure, from what he had seen, receive) -the most mature and patient consideration. The charge, as it stood in -the indictment, consisted of several counts. First, conspiring and -imagining to depose the King; 2d, conspiring and imagining to put the -King to death; 3d, conspiring and imagining to levy war against the -King, in order to compel him to change his councils; and 4th, actually -levying war against the King. - -“Two of these offences, conspiring the deposition of the Monarch, -and levying war against him, were declared to be treason, by a -statute passed so long ago as the reign of Edward the Third. In the -construction of that statute, it had been held, not only in many cases -decided in this country, but also in the opinion delivered to us by -various learned writers on this law, that all conspiracies and attempts -to depose his Majesty, and all conspiracies to levy war against him, -were treasonable, and must be considered as overt acts, proving an -intention to take away his life; because, as historical experience -showed, the death of a sovereign generally followed the loss of his -kingly authority. - -“But, in order to remove any mistake that persons might fall into on -this subject, a statute was passed in the reign of his late Majesty, -similar in substance, and nearly so in language, to statutes that -had been enacted in former years, but which had expired. By that -statute, the conspiring or compassing to depose the King, or to levy -war against him, were declared to be substantive treasons. Some of the -persons called before them on this occasion were represented, and truly -represented, to have been accomplices in this traitorous design. This -character did not, however, apply to all the witnesses who had been -brought forward. - -“Much observation had been made on the degree of credit that ought to -be given to persons, who admitted that they had joined in the design. -On this point he should only say, that, according to the law of this -country, and, he believed, of every other country, accomplices were -considered competent witnesses; but the credit that should be given to -them was matter of consideration. The evidence of an accomplice was to -be weighed, with reference to the probability of the story he told, the -confirmation of it, so far as it was capable of confirmation, and the -absence of that contradiction which might be adduced, if the story were -false. - -“There was, however, no rule of law which said, that the testimony of -an accomplice ought to be credited; neither was there any rule of law -which declared that it must be rejected. To declare the latter would be -to open the door, and give the greatest latitude and impunity to crime. -For, as had been said by the learned counsel for the prosecution, if -such a doctrine were acted on, bad men would feel that they might -proceed in their base designs with perfect security, and they would -trust each other without reserve; whereas bad men now distrusted each -other. They were afraid of detection; and that distrust prevented the -commission of many offences which could not be perpetrated without the -assistance of several persons. - -“Having made these general observations, to direct their attention -to the evidence, he would now, some hours having elapsed since the -witnesses were heard, read to the Jury such parts of the testimony as -were necessary for their consideration in coming to a decision. [Here -his Lordship proceeded to recapitulate the evidence, briefly commenting -on it as he went on.] - -“The first witness was R. Adams, who undoubtedly stood in the situation -of an accomplice. But, if the story he told were false, there were -several persons mentioned by him, and they could have been brought -forward to disprove his statement, and to discharge themselves of the -crime imputed to them, if they were innocent, but whom the Crown could -not compel to appear. This witness said, that the officers, when they -entered the room in Cato-street, cried out, ‘Here’s a pretty nest of -you; we have a warrant to take you all;’ and the officers swore they -only called out, ‘We are officers--surrender.’ This difference was not -material. The two expressions were nearly the same in import; and, in -the scene of confusion which undoubtedly occurred on the entrance of -the officers, it was very possible that a mistake might arise as to the -exact expression used. - -“That part of the evidence, in which Adams described his irresolution, -gave, his Lordship observed, the exact picture of a man of weak mind, -not knowing whether he should go on or recede--balancing whether he -should remain true to his associates, or make a discovery--and who, -when taken into custody, did come to the resolution to disclose all he -knew. If his testimony were true in substance and general effect, it -proved not only a determination to assassinate his Majesty’s Ministers, -but shewed to them that that was only a part of a more extended -and general plan, which embraced the seizure of arms, the taking -possession of the Mansion-house, and the forming of a Provisional -Government; a plan formed on some vain expectation, that, if the blow -were ever struck, there were a great number of people in the metropolis -who would readily join in the scheme, and levy war against his Majesty. -Such an expectation was vain then, and he hoped would ever be found so -when such treasonable attempts were made. - -“This witness mentioned a man, named Edwards. Why he was not examined -his Lordship could not say. Perhaps the prosecutors did not wish to -call him for very good reasons. How far the Jury would disbelieve Adams -on that account, it was for them to say. What he had remarked on the -evidence of this witness, he was sorry to say, was considerably against -the prisoner. As to the character of Adams, before this transaction, -they knew nothing. No person had said any thing about it. Hyden was a -witness of a very different description; for he, it appeared, disclosed -all he knew, early enough to prevent the mischief that was meditated. - -“John Monument, another accomplice, corroborated Adams. He stated -that the prisoner said to him, ‘Great events are at hand; the people -everywhere are anxious for a change.’ This observation shewed that the -assassination of Ministers was not the sole and only object of the -parties. The evidence of Thomas Dwyer, as far as it went, confirmed -the testimony of those who were examined before him. If his statement -were correct, the prisoner told him the general plan and object which -he and his associates had in view. These were the four witnesses -called to explain the designs of the accused parties. Two of them were -accomplices; but, in general, none but accomplices could be acquainted -with such foul and illegal designs. The two other witnesses did not -stand in the same situation. Communications were made to them, on -the subject of the conspiracy, it appeared, with little reserve;--a -circumstance of which the Jury were to judge. - -“A great many other persons had been called, chiefly for the purpose -of confirming the testimony given by these witnesses; for, if they had -spoken to truth, without farther evidence to the facts, treason was -undoubtedly proved. They proved the intention to levy war, to form a -Provisional Government, and, of course, to change the Government as by -law established. Eliza Walker proved that the prisoner Brunt had hired -a lodging for Ings in the house where he resided; and Joseph Hale, -Brunt’s apprentice, deposed to the meetings that were held from time -to time in Brunt’s room. He proved that meetings were held there every -evening, and that grenades, fire-balls, and pikes, were on the premises. - -“Thomas Sharp, a watchman, deposed, that he saw four suspicious -persons, on the 22d of February, watching about Lord Harrowby’s house. -Morrison, a cutler, proved that Ings brought him two swords to sharpen, -and a sword found at Cato-street appeared to be one of them. Alderson, -a pawnbroker, deposed, that, on the 23d of February, Davidson took a -blunderbuss out of pawn. Thomas Monument, the brother of John confirmed -his testimony in several points. This was the evidence confirmatory of -the testimony of the first four witnesses. Many of the facts stated by -Adams were spoken to by them; but the treasonable purpose could not be -well proved, except by accomplices. Information on that point could -scarcely be expected from a pure source. Hyden was a witness of that -description; but Dwyer, to a certain degree, was not. - -“The prosecutors then called persons to prove what occurred at the -stable in Cato-street; and Captain Fitzclarence, and several Bow-street -officers, gave a detailed account of the transactions there. It did -not appear to him necessary that he should go, in detail, through the -testimony of these witnesses. It was not necessary to inquire by what -particular hand a gun or a pistol was fired; but it was material to -observe, that, when the officers did come, many at least of the persons -present made a most desperate resistance. A knife, said to belong to -Ings, was found on the premises; and two bags and a case-knife were -found on his person. The bags were important; because it was sworn that -he stated the purpose for which he brought them. It was argued by the -Counsel for the defendant, that they were meant for the reception of -plunder, and not for the horrible purpose that had been stated; but -this did not invalidate the testimony of Adams, because Ings might not -have wished to declare that he meant to put plate in the bags; and, if -so he might have said, what he was sworn to have uttered, as a reason -for carrying them. This closed the evidence for the Crown. - -“On the part of the prisoners, Mary Baker was called, who, the Jury -would recollect, was not cross-examined. This arose from a commendable -delicacy, on account of the near relationship in which she stood to one -of the prisoners. The Jury would say, whether her evidence went at all -to shake the case. Indeed, it appeared from her statement, that she had -seen at Tidd’s lodgings instruments similar to those produced in Court. -A man named Hucklestone was then called, to prove that Dwyer was not -to be believed on his oath; and he stated, that he thought he was not -worthy of belief, because Dwyer had informed him that he procured money -by base accusations. This however, was entirely contradicted by Dwyer; -and it was for the Jury to say which of the two witnesses was entitled -to their credit. - -“The Jury would also consider the character and bearing of the -evidence of Doane and Mitchell, with respect to the paragraph in _The -New Times_, announcing a cabinet dinner at Lord Harrowby’s, which, -according to Whittaker, was not on the same day in any other newspaper -in London. It was, however, a matter of no consequence how it found -its way into the paper, since it was proved that cabinet dinner was -intended to be given on the 23d of February. This was the whole of the -evidence on each side. No witness was called to impeach the veracity -of Adams, Hyden, and Monument. And if they gave credit to any one of -those persons, (even to Hyden, who supported what the others told them, -and whose account, though more concise than theirs, was the same in -effect), they must find a verdict against the prisoner. - -“Besides the testimony of the witnesses, they had seen on the table a -considerable quantity of arms, which were proved to have been found -in Cato-street, and at the lodgings of one of the prisoners. It was -almost conceded, that a conspiracy was entered into for the purpose of -assassinating his Majesty’s Ministers at Lord Harrowby’s house. Indeed -there could be little doubt of it. - -“If then it were admitted that this most wicked scheme was entertained, -it was for them to consider whether it could reasonably be supposed -that that was all which was intended? They were to consider, what was -the probability that those persons, unconnected in any respect with -each other, except so far as this plan brought them together--and -certainly quite unconnected with the persons who conducted the affairs -of his Majesty’s Government--did not view that assassination as part -of a scheme, having for its object a general and tumultuous rising of -the people, to levy war against the King; or whether they conspired to -effect that assassination alone? - -“Whether they adopted this plan to satisfy their thirst for blood, or -to accomplish that ulterior scheme to which the witnesses had spoken? -In deciding this question, it was fit that the Jury should attend to -the great quantity, as well as the nature of the instruments produced. -They certainly were far more in number than could have been wanted, or -used in the abominable attempt that was to be made at Lord Harrowby’s. -Some of them could not have been used there at all. The hand-grenades -might have been thrown, but the fire-balls could not have been used -for the purpose which they meant to effect at that house. When those -dangerous articles were found, some at one place and some at another, -it was for the Jury to take the circumstance into their serious -consideration. - -“If, on a view of the whole case, they, as just and conscientious men, -felt satisfied that a conspiracy to levy war was made out in proof -before them, if their minds were freed from all doubt on the subject, -they would, he was convinced, discharge the painful duty that devolved -on them with proper firmness. But if, after a due examination of all -the circumstances, and after attending to the observations of the very -eloquent counsel, who had addressed them on the part of the prisoner, -first and last, their minds were not satisfied that the case was -proved, they would discharge the more pleasant duty of acquitting the -prisoner. The case was now in their hands; and he doubted not but their -verdict would be consonant with the principles of justice.” - - -The Jury then retired; but, in a few minutes returned into court, and -requested his lordship to read to them the Act of the 36th of Geo. III. - -Lord Chief-Justice Abbot said, he meant to hand it to them; but he -would, in the first place, state, that, by the terms of the statute, -it was to continue in force during the life of his late Majesty, and -till the end of the next session of Parliament: therefore the Act had -not expired when the alleged conspiracy was discovered. But, if it ever -had expired, it would have been of no consequence, since, by a late Act -of Parliament, the statute of the 36th of Geo. III. was made perpetual. -His lordship then read the Act, and particularly pointed out the clause -which made it treason--“to compass, imagine, invent, devise, or intend -to deprive or depose the King from the style, honour, and kingly -name of the imperial crown of this realm; or to levy war against him -within this realm, in order to compel him to change his councils.” His -lordship observed, that it seemed to be admitted by the Counsel on both -sides, that if the project stated on the part of the prosecution were -proved, it fell within the meaning of this Act; for, if a Provisional -Government were formed, the royal style must of necessity cease. To -levy war did not require soldiers drawn up in military array. It was -sufficient if a number of people met to do some public act, in which -they had no private interest, but which affected the country at large. -Devising to force the King to change his measures was always considered -a levying of war, under the old statute of Edward III. - -The Jury again retired, and, in about a quarter of an hour, returned -with a verdict of--GUILTY, ON THE THIRD and FOURTH COUNTS OF THE -INDICTMENT. That is to say, on those counts which charged the prisoner -with conspiring to levy war, and with the actual levying of war against -the King. - -The verdict, which was in some measure anticipated, was received by the -Court in perfect silence; and the wretched man was taken from the bar, -surrounded by several officers. - -Throughout the trial he had maintained the greatest composure, but -during the absence of the Jury he seemed poignantly to feel the -melancholy situation in which he was placed. The candid avowal, -however, of his Counsel, as to his ultimate fate upon the indictments -for murder, had left him no hope of escape of an ignominious death. - -When taken back to the cell, he seemed to be absorbed in the melancholy -contemplation of his approaching fate, which he of course felt was -irrevocably sealed. He scarcely uttered a single word to those by whom -he was accompanied, but threw himself into a chair, and appeared to be -entirely abstracted from all about him. He partook of some refreshment, -but was unable to recover his spirits. - -In the course of the evening he asked for a glass of wine, which Mr. -Brown instantly sent to him. - -It appeared that up to the last moment, Thistlewood confidently -anticipated an acquittal, as indeed did many persons of respectability -who were in Court. The speech of Mr. Adolphus had a powerful effect -upon his auditors; but the reply of the Solicitor-General at once -dissipated the momentary impression which he had made. - -It was observed that a number of persons were collected in the -neighbourhood of the Sessions-house, who were known to have been -constant attendants at the Smithfield, Spa-fields, and Finsbury -Meetings. Some of these intimated an intention to give three cheers if -the verdict was such as they expected; but upon the real verdict being -announced, they departed with strong manifestations of disappointment. - - -At the termination of Thistlewood’s trial, the Court was adjourned till -the following Friday, the 21st of April. - - - - -TRIAL OF JAMES INGS. - -SESSIONS-HOUSE, OLD BAILEY. - - -_First Day, Friday, April 21, 1820._ - -At eight o’clock in the morning the jurymen, who had been summoned, -arrived at the Sessions-house, and, at nine, Lord Chief Justice Dallas, -Chief Baron Richards, Mr. Justice Richardson, and the Common Sergeant, -took their seats. - -The prisoner, James Ings, was then put to the bar; he seemed to labour -under strong feelings of agitation and had none of that firmness of -aspect which he displayed on the former days: he was dressed in a suit -of black. - -Mr. Shelton, the clerk of the arraigns, proceeded to call over the list -of the jurymen, commencing at the name with which he had terminated, -when the jury in Thistlewood’s case was impanelled. - -After a considerable number of challenges, both on the part of the -crown and of the prisoner, the following jury was finally impanelled -and sworn: - -Charles Palmer, -William Moore, -Thomas Beecham, -John Beck, -Benjamin Rogers, -James Carey, -George Smith, -James Eade, -Benjamin Blythe, -William Percy, -John Young, -William Edgecombe. - -Mr. Shelton then proceeded to read the indictment against the prisoner, -which was the same already described in the case of Arthur Thistlewood. - -Mr. Bolland, at a few minutes after ten, opened the indictment in the -usual way to the Jury. - -The Solicitor-General rose at ten o’clock to address the Jury for the -prosecution. “It was hardly necessary for him, he said, to entreat -their serious and patient attention to the statement he had to make -to them in the performance of his duty: they owed it to themselves, -to their country, and, above all, to the prisoner at the bar. In -justice to him, there was one fact now known, and to which he might -without impropriety allude. One of the parties in this conspiracy had -been already convicted. That circumstance they were bound not to let -operate to the prejudice of this prisoner; towards his part of the -offence they were bound to look, not through the medium of any thing -that had already passed in that Court, but solely through that which -would this day be laid before them in evidence; to that alone they were -to direct their attention, and by that must they form their opinion -of the guilt or innocence of the prisoner. On the law of the case it -would be unnecessary for him to make a single observation, for upon it -not a single objection, not a single doubt, had been stated since this -commission had sat. The charge against the prisoner, divested of all -technicalities, was simply this, that he had conspired with others, -by force and violence, to overthrow the laws and constitution of the -country. This was to be effected by an extensive plan of assassination, -and by other means which he should hereafter mention. - -“In behalf of the prosecution, he would plainly and simply narrate the -facts as he knew they would be proved in evidence. He would narrate -them without the smallest exaggeration or distortion of facts. The best -gift and pride of the people was the pure and impartial administration -of the laws of this country, and he would state the facts as they -would soon hear them in evidence, and leave them to decide upon their -applicability to the prisoner.” - -The Solicitor-General then detailed the evidence he had to adduce -against the prisoner; it was exactly as it is subsequently given by -the witnesses, and corresponded entirely with that given already on -the trial of Thistlewood. When the learned gentleman came to that -part of the evidence which described the conflagration that was to -have been made on the night of the intended assassination, and the -proclamations which were to have been posted up on the night of the -intended assassination, calling on the friends of liberty to meet, -for their tyrants, meaning the members of his Majesty’s government, -were murdered, and in which they were called upon to rally round the -provisional government which was then sitting; he observed, “what would -not have been the situation of this great metropolis if this dreadful -project had been carried into effect? - -“The people would have seen pieces of artillery moving in different -directions; they would have seen a general conflagration; they would -have heard of a provisional government, and that too rendered perhaps -more terrible by the ignorance of the people who were to compose it. -It was impossible to judge what would have been the result of such -a notification. He was, indeed, willing to believe, that the people -of this country were too sound to be effectively invited to rally -round men whose projects were introduced to them by the horrible and -atrocious crimes of assassination and murder. He trusted that hitherto, -at least the natural indignation of Englishmen would revolt at any -propositions coming from such a source, and to be sustained by such -diabolical means.” - -After detailing very minutely the evidence he meant to give against -the prisoners (as it is hereafter detailed), he informed the Jury -they must hear it from one or more accomplices; on the extent of -whose credibility he made similar observations to those made by -the Attorney-General in his opening speech on Thistlewood’s trial, -and dwelt on the comparative impunity with which dark and secret -conspiracies would escape, if the evidence of an accomplice were not -admissible. - -“But even without this testimony, they had the unimpeachable evidence -of Hyden, and also a number of facts which spoke for themselves; and he -would here ask, could any assignable cause be given for the meeting in -Cato-street--the ammunition--the arms--but that given by the evidence -which they would hear? He then observed, that it was not because the -plot was contemptible and ill-formed, and left so much to hazard, that -therefore its existence was to be disbelieved, the history of all -plots was of the same description; they were generally characteristic -of a total want of foresight and prudence, but though wild, though -extravagant, yet if the project had existence, and they were satisfied -of the prisoner being a party to it, then they must be prepared, if the -evidence carried conviction to their minds, to bring in a verdict of -guilty against the prisoner, without any reference to the consequences -of that verdict.” - -The learned Solicitor’s speech occupied an hour and ten minutes in the -delivery. - -The following prisoners were then put to the bar with Ings, to be -identified: Davidson, Brunt, Tidd, Harrison, Bradburne, Strange, -Gilchrist, and Wilson. - - -EVIDENCE FOR THE CROWN. - -The witnesses to support the case thus described were then called; -but much of their testimony was similar to that given in the trial of -Thistlewood. We, therefore, confine ourselves as much as possible to -the new facts which came out, and which applied immediately to the -conduct of the prisoner. - -ROBERT ADAMS was first called, and examined by the Attorney-General. -His testimony was almost in all respects similar to that on the former -trial. He added, that he heard that the pike-staves which he saw in the -room in Fox-court were quite green; he understood they had been brought -from over the water; Ings said he had brought them. The same evening -Ings drew a pistol from his pocket. There was a conversation about the -illness of the present King; Thistlewood said he would rather the new -King lived a little while longer, but it was not their intention he -should ever wear the crown. - -On this occasion Ings said, that the day the Prince Regent last went to -Parliament, he himself went to the Park with a pistol in his pocket, -with the sole intention to shoot him; and as a test of his sincerity, -he said, “there’s the pistol I took with me,” alluding to the pistol -he had previously produced. He regretted he had not done it, and if he -had, he should not have cared a farthing for his own life. Witness saw -Ings at all the subsequent meetings. - -On the meeting held about the time of the King’s funeral, when the -plan for a rising was talked of, during the absence of the horse and -foot guards, it was Ings and Brunt that said, nothing short of the -assassination of the King’s ministers would satisfy them. Ings said, -with his blood all of a boil, “that he must have them, (the ministers,) -if possible, before the parliament was dissolved.” - -On the meeting held on Saturday the 20th of February, at which Tidd -took the chair, with a pike in his hand, and at which Thistlewood -proposed the murder of the ministers in detail, Ings was present, and -said, “whoever has the lot to murder Lord Castlereagh, I am the man to -turn out to murder that thief!” - -On the Tuesday, at the meeting at Brunt’s, witness saw Ings pull three -daggers from out of his pocket: he was asked what was the purpose of -pulling out these daggers? When he seized one, and making a sort of a -rush, and a motion with his arm, said, with an exclamation, to “run -into their ---- bodies.” After Edwards had communicated the paragraph -in _The New Times_, respecting the cabinet dinner on the Wednesday, -and after Brunt declared his belief in a God, from his prayers being -answered in bringing the ministers together, Ings exclaimed with -exultation, that “he should have a better opportunity of cutting off -Lord Castlereagh’s head.” - -“It was subsequently arranged, that Ings should head the party to go -into the room in which the ministers were assembled. He was to cut off -Lord Castlereagh’s and Lord Sidmouth’s heads, and to bring them away. -He was also to cut off Lord Castlereagh’s hand, which he was to cure -(pickle), as it would be thought a great deal of at a future day.” He -was to be armed with a pair of pistols and a butcher’s knife. - -The same afternoon, Ings was employed in making fire-balls to set fire -to the different buildings; Edwards was making fusees to the grenades. -On Wednesday evening, February the 23d, the proclamation, written by -Thistlewood, was signed “James Ings, Secretary.” - -Witness then described Ings’s preparation for action, his brandishing -his knife, and his sanguinary declarations that he would cut off the -heads of his Majesty’s ministers, and bring away the heads of Lord -Castlereagh and Lord Sidmouth in his bags. The handle of his knife, he -said, he had bound round with wax-end, “in order to prevent his hand -from slipping while he was at work.” - -The witness then proceeded to detail the well-known occurrences in -Cato-street, and the part which Ings took therein. He swore he would -rather die or hang himself than not do the job that night. - -In cross-examination by Mr. Adolphus, witness said, I was born at -Ipswich; I am now a Christian; there was a time when I was not a -Christian; I was then a man in the same form as now. I was what -they termed a Deist. I believed in God. I renounced Christianity -and believed only in God. I re-commenced Christian after the 23d of -February. I renounced my faith as a Christian last August. I never -pronounced my disbelief in God--nor ever denied Christ, till I read -that cursed work of Paine’s! I never was an Atheist, but always -believed in a God. I have no pension. - -The paper produced is my hand-writing; I was examined here on Monday, -and have since been in Coldbath-fields. I have had no communication -with any body. I have had a room in the house of the Governor; I have -seen nobody that has told me any part of the proceedings in this Court. -During the days when I was here, I was kept in a room by myself. Heard -nothing of the progress of the proceedings, except the conviction of -Thistlewood. I had known Edwards from the first part of January. From -the time I joined Brunt and the others, I never intended to commit -murder, nor to give information; I intended to wait for an opportunity -to see if any thing enabled me to creep out of it; I was prevented -from creeping out, from threats that had been held out; I was not -disposed to plunder the shops, although I was in a society that were so -disposed. - -Before I went into prison, I was asking Brunt what was the plan that -was first drawn out? Brunt said that nothing would be communicated till -the day of action, and then the men would be called together, receive a -treat, and be told what was to be done; after which they would not be -lost sight of. Brunt said, if he had any suspicion of any one giving -information, he would run him through. This was on the 16th of January. -When I was examined on Monday, it did not come to my recollection about -Ings telling of shooting the Prince Regent. - -Mr. GURNEY: We studiously passed over certain points of the evidence -for the purpose of shortening it. - -The Witness: I can tell many things, if I am asked, that I did not tell -on Monday. If any thing fresh comes to my mind as I stand here I’ll -tell it. There were things that transpired that I did not state last -Monday, and that I have not stated to-day. I had no personal knowledge -of Monument. I can be answerable, that there was one candle in the room. - -I did not see more than one a-light. If a man spoke the truth, he could -not say there were eight candles in the room. If any man said there -was, I should say he was a false man. I cannot be answerable for every -word which passed. - -I always found Mr. Edwards very deep, and very deep in conversation -with Brunt and Thistlewood. - -There was a shot-hole in my coat from a pistol that was fired from the -window, when I was escaping from the stable. - -I do not know a man of the name of Chambers. I never called upon a -person of that name in company with Edwards. I did call with Edwards -upon a woman at Pimlico, to buy a pair of boots. On that day I did not -call upon any man of the name of Chambers to solicit him to kill his -Majesty’s ministers. I never said I would kill his Majesty’s ministers, -and have blood and wine for my supper. I never had any conversation -with any body to use Cashman as a watchword. - -After the affair at Cato-street I did not take any ammunition away -with me from Cato-street. Hall gave me a pistol and live rounds of -ball-cartridges. I loaded the pistol, and laid it on the bench; I did -not touch it again; and threw the four ball-cartridges away in the room. - -I never carried the large hand-grenade. I cannot say that I can charge -my memory with a score of words which Edwards ever said; whatever he -said was always in a side-winded way amongst themselves. - -ELEANOR WALKER, on being examined by Mr. Gurney, gave similar evidence -to that given by her on the former occasion. - -MARY ROGERS, Joseph Hale (apprentice to Brunt), Thomas Smart (watchman -in Grosvenor-square), C. Bissex (also a watchman for the same place), -Frederick Gillan, John Hector Morrison (journeyman to Mr. Underwood, -the cutler, in Drury-lane), Edward Simpson (corporal-major of the 2d -Life-Guards), and James Aldous (pawnbroker), also detailed the same -facts to which they before deposed. - -THOMAS HYDEN, the man who gave the information to Lord Harrowby, -recapitulated the facts proved on the former trial. - -In cross-examination, he said, he had been formerly a gentleman’s -servant; that was six years ago. He lived with Colonel Bridges last. He -might have lived with him a month or more. He could not certainly say. -He had lived in Manchester-mews for five years. He had not been there -all the time himself. He was away two or three months. - -He was now in the Marshalsea; he was not ashamed of the place. It was -for a debt of eighteen pounds, and due to Mr. Powell, a milkman. He -went into prison last Saturday, on execution. He had been sued at the -beginning of last summer. I was at home at different times in June, -July, and August, at Manchester-mews. My family were there till last -Saturday. I said on Tuesday last I lived in Manchester-mews. I am -living now at this place where I stand. My family goes there now two or -three times a day. I have known Davidson three or four months. I do not -know Mr. Edwards. - -I know a person of the name of Edwards. I know a good many persons two -hundred miles in the country. I have been to the Scotch Arms, in some -small court somewhere down by the Strand. I was there twice, to the -shoemakers’ club, with a friend of the name of Clarke, a master-tailor. -It was reported to be a shoemakers’ club. I am not able to say whether -politics and the affairs of the State were the topics of discussion. - -I never was at any of the meetings in Fox-court. I knew nothing of the -affair in Cato-street till told by Wilson; I was to get the cream for -a family in Princes-street, Cavendish-square. I have served them about -three years, but I do not know their name. My wife brought home the -order for the cream. I have been at the house, but I do not know when. -It was the first time I saw Wilson; he said to me that I need not be -alarmed, for a gentleman’s servant furnished money. He said this more -than twice. - -Re-examined: My family continued to carry on my business in -Manchester-mews till Saturday last, when I was arrested. As far as I -know my family have possession of the premises now. I believe the -house in Princes-street is No. 6. My wife serves the family sometimes; -I have been there; I believe the house to be the front door going from -Cavendish-square towards Oxford-street. - -LORD HARROWBY appeared on the right of the Bench, and spoke to the -interruption of cabinet dinners, and the issuing of cards of invitation -for the 23d. His Lordship named the company who were to be present. -His Lordship then stated the receipt of Hyden’s communication, and the -change of arrangements adopted in consequence. - -His Lordship, in cross-examination by Mr. Curwood, said, he had not -personally known any thing of it before; but he had heard a long time -antecedently, that something of this nature was to be attempted. - -JOHN BAKER corroborated the testimony of Lord Harrowby as to the -intended cabinet dinner. - -JOHN MONUMENT was next examined, and was again conducted into Court in -the charge of two of the yeomen warders of the Court. His evidence in -chief was precisely the same as that which he gave on Thistlewood’s -trial. - -In cross-examination, witness said, that Thistlewood remarked, that -every man would have equal honour with myself. I went to Cato-street -for fear. I was foolish, for I certainly went there without knowing -what I was to do. I thought they were going to the House of Commons. -When I was told by Brunt they were going to a cabinet dinner, I fully -thought they were going to destroy the ministers, and yet I went. I -went to Tidd’s, because I was afraid. I cannot tell why I did not go to -a magistrate to tell my fears. My intention was, when I got into the -room and found out what they were going about, to run away. - -THOMAS MONUMENT confirmed the last witness in every particular. - -RUTHVEN repeated his former testimony. In cross-examination, he said, -he had no doubt there were four or five lights in the loft, and others -in the little room. - -James Ellis, William Westcott, Luke Nixon, Joseph Champion, John -Wright, and William Charles Brooks, police officers, likewise repeated -their former testimony. - -CAPT. FITZCLARENCE.--The first thing he saw was a police officer, who -cried out, “Soldiers, soldiers; stable door, stable door!” He was -met by two men at the door, one having a pistol, another a sword. He -followed one of them into the stable, and took him. - -Serjeant WILLIAM LEGG, of the 2d regiment of Coldstream Guards, was -at Cato-street; saw the pistol levelled at Captain Fitzclarence, and -seized it, when it went off. It was Tidd who levelled it. He took him -into custody. He saw above on the loft, Cooper, Gilchrist, and Monument. - -HERCULES TAUNTON gave evidence of the seizures made at Brunt’s and -Tidd’s. - -Cross-examined by Mr. Adolphus.--A reward had been offered for the -apprehension of Palin. He was not apprehended, nor Potter, nor Cook. - -DANIEL BISHOP was called, but not being in attendance, his examination -and the production of the various articles seized was postponed till -to-morrow morning, and the Court adjourned at eight o’clock. - -The Jury were then, as in the former case of Thistlewood’s trial, -placed in a room by themselves, and not permitted to have conversation -with any person whatever. - -Ings in the course of the day revived in spirits, as he became -interested in the evidence; but he frequently reverted to a state of -gloomy sullenness. - -The other prisoners were anxious to keep the witnesses out of Court, -when not under examination, and repeatedly called on those who -accidentally made their appearance to withdraw. - - -SECOND DAY.--SATURDAY, _April 22_. - -At a quarter before nine the Jury were conducted to the box by the -sheriff’s officers. - -Shortly after this the guns, pistols, swords, pikes, grenades, -ammunition, and other materials of war, seized in Cato-street, were -brought into court, and placed on the table. - -At nine the same learned Judges who presided the day before, took their -seats. - -Ings and the other prisoners were then put to the bar. - - -_Evidence for the Crown continued._ - -DANIEL BISHOP was now put in the box, and described the circumstances -attending the apprehension of Thistlewood, which were detailed in his -former evidence. - -In cross-examination by Mr. Adolphus: Witness said he had apprehended -the prisoner from private information, not received from an officer; he -did not know a man of the name of Edwards. - -RUTHVEN was next called, and said there were now placed on the table -the arms and ammunition taken in Cato-street; he then proceeded to -select each article separately, and to exhibit it to the Jury; the -pikes and grenades were minutely inspected. A pike blade was placed in -one of the handles in order to show the manner in which it was to be -used. When thus presented it had a most terrific appearance. The knife -stated to have been found on the person of Ings was next produced, and -exhibited to the Jury. While they were examining it, Ings exclaimed, -“It was not found upon me, my Lord.” - -HECTOR MORRISON, servant to Mr. Underwood the cutler, identified the -two swords which he ground for Ings. They were made extremely sharp -from heel to point. The prisoner directed that they should be made as -sharp as a needle at the point, and that they should be made to cut -both at the back and front; this was done. The swords seemed since to -have been rubbed on a stone to make them keener. - -SAMUEL TAUNTON selected the articles found in Tidd’s lodgings, as well -as those found in the back room of the house in which Brunt resided. - -Serjeant HANSON, of the Royal Artillery, described the formation of -the fire-balls and hand-grenades, and opened one of the latter, as in -Thistlewood’s case, for the information of the Jury. He also looked at -the flannel bags found in Tidd’s lodgings. They were what are termed -flannel cartridges for a 6-pounder. They were the same as those used by -the Royal Artillery, only that those produced were formed of flannel, -whereas those used by the artillery were composed of serge. - -It was now announced that the other prisoners might retire, and they -were re-conducted to their apartments. - -Serjeant HANSON, examination by one of the Jury, said, that the -grenades found in Cato-street were not made exactly in the same -manner as those made for the use of the artillery, although they were -calculated to produce similar destructive consequences. The cart-nails -would be propelled with irresistible force by the explosion of the tin -carcase, and would scatter death around. There was rather more powder -in the case than was sufficient to burst a nine inch shell. - -The Attorney-General: That is the case on the part of the Crown. - - -THE DEFENCE. - -Mr. CURWOOD then rose to address the Jury on behalf of the prisoner, -and commenced by lamenting the effect which the conviction of the last -prisoner must have upon their minds, however good their intentions, -and however anxious they might be to decide this case free from all -preconceived impressions. This circumstance, undoubtedly weighed -heavily upon his (Mr. C.’s) feelings, knowing that the construction of -the human mind was such, as rendered it almost impossible to get rid of -opinions once entertained. The disadvantage under which he laboured, in -this respect, was the more distressing, because although the general -features of this case bore a strong resemblance to the last, yet it -wanted a most material circumstance of confirmation, which was produced -on a former occasion. - -Sir ROBERT DALLAS interposed, and objected to any allusion to what had -passed on the former trial. The Solicitor-General, in opening the case, -had most humanely abstained from any reference to the former case, -and had entreated the jury to dismiss from their minds the fact that -another prisoner had been convicted. The Court was bound to treat this -as a case depending upon its own merits, and his Lordship was persuaded -that the Jury would forget that such a person as Thistlewood existed, -and dismiss from their minds all knowledge of the former case, if they -happened to have heard any part of it. - -Mr. CURWOOD resumed, and said “he should bow with respectful -deference to the correction of his Lordship. His learned friend the -Solicitor-General had told the Jury that, in stating the case for -the prosecution, he was only anxious to acquit himself as a faithful -servant of the public, by fully and fairly laying before the Jury -the whole of its circumstances; and that as far as his own personal -feelings were concerned, he was regardless of the result. No man would -withhold from his learned friend the fullest credit for the sincerity -of that statement. Though his (Mr. Curwood’s) task was much more -irksome than that of his learned friend, yet he hoped he should have -credit for the same feelings; that he was most anxious, not only to -do his duty towards the unfortunate man at the bar, but towards his -country and his own character. He was sure that the Jury were also -animated by the same feelings, and that whatever might be their private -sentiments, they would form their judgment upon the evidence alone, -and, if upon an impartial consideration of that evidence, they found -it did not bear out the facts charged in the indictment, would gladly -deliver him, by their verdict of Not Guilty. - -“The Solicitor-General had also told them, that the law of the case was -extremely clear. No doubt it was; but it was necessary to point out -the precise question for their consideration, before they ventured to -apply the facts of the case to that law; because the question here was -not guilt, or innocence in the abstract, for although there was strong -suspicion against the prisoner of moral guilt, yet the question they -had to try was, whether he was guilty not only of high treason, but of -that high treason which was specifically charged in this indictment. -In order, therefore, to enable them to discharge their duty fully -and fairly towards the prisoner, they must not only take into their -consideration the precise question they had to try, but also apply the -evidence produced, in order to see whether the specific charge of high -treason was made out. - -“The history of the Statute of Treasons, 25 Edw. III., was well known. -It was passed in order to define what treason really was, and that the -ignorance, and even cruelty, which had previously prevailed upon the -subject, by the erection of certain acts into crimes against the state, -might be exploded. That statute contained a few short and distinct -propositions, which in fact comprehended the whole law of treason. In -the language of Lord Coke it was called the _blessed_ Statute, from -the admirable regard manifested in it for the liberty and safety of -the subject. It declared first, that whoever should compass or imagine -the death of the King, should be guilty of high treason; and, second, -whoever should levy war against the King and this realm, should be -guilty of the like offence. - -“A number of other enactments of treason had taken place at different -times since then, introducing a most horrible system of cruelty and -oppression, but at length it was found necessary to return to that -blessed statute. It was true, that in the reign of his late Majesty a -statute passed for extending the law of treason. He lamented that such -a statute should ever have passed, and still more that any occasion for -it should ever have existed. Upon both of these statutes the present -indictment was founded. - -“By the 23d of Edward III. it was made treason to compass or imagine -the death of the King; and by the 36th Geo. III. it was made treason to -attempt to depose him from his kingly office. - -“By the statute of Edward, it was made treason actually to levy war; -and by the statute of George, it was made treason to conspire to levy -war. - -“The four charges, therefore, which they had to try, were these: Did -the prisoner at the bar compass, or imagine the death of the King? Did -he conspire to depose him from his imperial dignity? Did he actually -levy war against his Majesty? And did he conspire to levy war with -an intention to compel his Majesty to change the measures of his -government by force? These were the precise issues they had to try, and -whatever might be their opinion of his guilt, as it respected other -charges still pending over him, and for which punishment would reach -him if he were guilty, yet unless they were conscientiously satisfied -that he had actually committed some one of these four offences, they -were bound to pronounce him Not Guilty. - -“It had been admitted by the Solicitor General, that if the case in all -its parts was not proved by unequivocal testimony, they were bound to -acquit the prisoner; and he apologized for the evidence he proposed to -offer, by saying, that in all cases of conspiracy it was necessary to -have the evidence of some of the conspirators, in order to ascertain -the purposes of their dark consultations. - -“This was another of the miseries resulting from a departure from the -statute of Edward. That admirable statute enacted, that before a man -should be found guilty of the treasons there set out, he shall be -‘proveably convict’ of the same. - -“Upon the meaning of the words ‘proveably convict,’ the great Lord Coke -had written a whole section, shewing that they did not mean probably -convict, but convict by the most unequivocal and satisfactory evidence. - -“The object of the statute, therefore, in making this wholesome -provision was to protect his Majesty’s subjects, whose lives might -be at the mercy of the most infamous of mankind. It was necessary, -therefore, that the Jury should examine the facts proved with the most -scrupulous circumspection, before they made up their minds to the -conclusion of the prisoner’s guilt. - -“The Solicitor General had admitted, that the evidence of the -conspirators ought not to be believed unless it was confirmed in -all its material circumstances. It was to be observed, that the -confirmation alluded to, was not meant to apply to collateral facts -irrelevant to the matter in issue, but to the whole body and substance -of the evidence; and therefore if they found that the material -witnesses to establish the conspiracy were not confirmed in the -substantial part of their evidence, it was their duty to pronounce a -verdict of acquittal. - -“The learned counsel admitted that there was sufficient evidence to -establish an intention on the part of the prisoners to commit, perhaps, -a dreadful riot, to commit murder, and to effect the destruction of -houses; but he strenuously urged, that this was not sufficient to -make out the crime of high treason, as alleged in the indictment. He -adverted to the evidence of Adams, and other witnesses, and contended -that it was wholly incredible, and inconsistent in every part. - -“But supposing the conspiracy which they had proved, really to have -existed, he urged that it was the most ridiculous plot that could -ever enter into the mind of the most infatuated man, considering the -absolute destitution of means to carry it into effect. The records of -fiction and of history did not furnish an instance of such a wild and -chimerical scheme. - -“After commenting with considerable ingenuity, upon the evidence of -the principal witnesses of the Crown, he proceeded to deprecate in -strong terms the doctrine of constructive treason; and called upon the -Jury, as guardians of their own and the public liberties, to make a -stand against the further extension of this abominable doctrine, which -had been condemned by Lord Hale, and some of the wisest judges that -ever sat to administer justice. Returning again to the description -of evidence adduced to support the conspiracy, he insisted that they -could give no credence to Adams, who stood confessed the betrayer of -his companions, a traitor to his king, a rebel against his country, -intending to assassinate and murder his fellow-subjects, an apostate to -his religion, and a scoffer of his God. - -“Would a British Jury in this sanctuary of justice sacrifice to -torture and death eleven men, merely upon the evidence of such a -self-convicted wretch? He had stated to the Jury the danger to which -our liberties and lives would be exposed, if a man could be convicted -of high treason, on evidence like that which they had heard; but as he -preferred supporting himself in all cases by the authority of great -men, he would remind them of what the present Solicitor-General had -said, without telling them on what occasion the words to which he would -allude had been spoken, or how long it was ago. - -“A witness was called to discredit the testimony of another. He, on -cross-examination, admitted, that he had accompanied a person to -the Park, who went there for the purpose of extorting money from -individuals, by charging them with certain practices. On this occasion -the natural feelings of his learned friend, the Solicitor-General, -broke forth, and he inquired, ‘Would any honest man--would any man -worthy of belief in a court of justice, accompany a person who went -on such an expedition? Would any man, entitled to credit with a jury, -agree with another in such a plan to extort money?’ This, in point of -fact, had not been done by the witness to whom he alluded; but he, Mr. -Curwood, must beg to apply this sort of reasoning to the principal -witness for the prosecution, and ask if a man who had acted as Adams -had done was entitled to belief in a court of justice. - -“Was a man entitled to credit, who, like Adams, was an apostate, a -traitor, a rebel, a betrayer of his companions, a murderer, and an -assassin--all of which he admitted that he had intended to be? - -“Yet such a man had his learned friend put up on the present occasion. -But who would believe him, unless, indeed, it were made out, which no -lawyer would say it was, that such a man was entitled to credit when he -came into a court of justice to seek the lives of men, though not in -other cases, where his object was different. - -“If this principle were not established, then out of their own mouths -was the principal witness for the prosecution condemned. He called upon -the Jury to look if he were confirmed, he would not say by good, but -even by infamous witnesses. It was nothing that he was corroborated in -various insignificant particulars, but he was borne out in nothing that -went to prove that the prisoner at the bar had committed high treason; -and he therefore begged of them, under these circumstances, to give -that verdict which would dismiss Adams with shame, as a man not to be -believed in a court of justice on his oath. - -“If such a man were corroborated by other infamous witnesses, it would, -in fact, be no confirmation; how, then, did the case stand when they -found that he was not even confirmed by the testimony of those who -were almost as infamous as himself. Having done with Adams, the next -witness was Hyden, he described himself to have formerly belonged to -a shoe-making club, and to have been introduced to Thistlewood in the -month of February. And what was the first proposal made to him? Why, -Thistlewood was represented to have said, without any disguise or -reserve, “Will you be one to murder his Majesty’s ministers?” - -“Good God!--what must that man be whose heart would not revolt with -horror from such a proposal? But this person expressed no disgust at -the plan with which he was thus made acquainted. Was this man then more -worthy of belief, than one who would join with another to extort money? - -“Was this, to use the words of the Solicitor-General, a man worthy of -belief in a court of justice? The answer that his learned friend would -feel disposed to give must be, that he was not. Then what confirmation -could his evidence supply to that of Adams? It was not necessary for -him to go through all the details of the conversations between this -witness and Adams, but he must remark, that of these not one word went -to confirm the facts that would amount to the crime of high treason, -though they all tended to establish a plot to assassinate his Majesty’s -ministers. - -“It was true, that something was stated to have been said of seizing -the cannon in the Artillery-Ground, and of retreating to the Mansion -House. All this proved that a great riot was in contemplation, but it -evinced no intention of committing high treason. This witness described -himself to have joined in the plan, and to have told the conspirators -that he would be with them. - -“The next witness was Monument. He had sworn that he was told by -Thistlewood he ought to get arms, as all his (Thistlewood’s) friends -were armed. At that period it could not be denied, that there was a -great ferment in the public mind, in consequence of the transactions -which had taken place at Manchester but a short time before. - -“Many of the warmest friends to the measures of government were -of opinion, that an inquiry into those transactions ought to be -instituted; while others, without reserve, termed what had occurred -at Manchester ‘a massacre,’ and declared that since they were liable -to be so dispersed at public meetings, they would attend them armed, -that they might be prepared to defend themselves. Thistlewood had used -words to this effect. He (Mr. Curwood) would not deny that to go armed -to such meetings, was a desperate resistance of the law; but he would -maintain that it did not amount to high treason, and he entreated the -Jury never to dismiss from their minds that it was for high treason, -and for high treason only, that they were trying the prisoner at -the bar, and not for disobedience to the law in other respects; and -therefore if the facts proved did not amount to high treason, it would -be their duty to return a verdict of NOT GUILTY. - -“The witness, Monument, had confirmed the evidence given of the -existence of a plan for the assassination of his Majesty’s Ministers, -and for creating a riot; but he proved nothing respecting that -proclamation which was said to have been prepared by Thistlewood, and -which alone went to give the conspiracy the character imputed to it in -the present indictment. But the witness, Monument, he contended, had -shewn himself during this trial to be the same unfeeling villain he had -set out with being; yet, from the aggregate of infamy brought forward -on this occasion, there resulted no proof of high treason. - -“Palin and Cook, who might be able to give evidence in favour of the -defence, he shewed that he had no means of bringing forward, as, if -they were to offer that testimony which might acquit the prisoner -of high treason, they would bring themselves into peril, as the -Attorney-General well knew that if they were to appear in the witness’s -box, they would not be suffered to depart with impunity. Eleanor Walker -and Mary Rogers had only proved the taking of the room in which the -consultations of the conspirators were held. This was not denied. -It was admitted that they held consultations, and for a nefarious -purpose; but the question for the Jury to try was, whether or not these -consultations related to high treason. Hale had also proved the room -and the purchasing of some sheets of cartridge paper. This he (Mr. C.) -contended, was wanting for their cartridges. Adams said it was for -their proclamations, but of this there was no proof, and the fragments -of cartridge paper that had been found were not written upon. - -“The three next witnesses proved various facts connected with the plan -of assassination, but nothing that amounted to high treason; and what -was proved to have taken place in Cato-street, though murder and riot -appeared to have been in contemplation, he could discover nothing like -‘a levying of war.’ If they had not ‘levied war against the King,’ -conspiring to do that which had been done, could not be ‘conspiring to -levy war against the King.’ - -“This was a question which must be left to the understandings of the -Jury. They all knew what war was between different states. It was -carried on by large bodies of men, formed into companies, under the -direction of proper officers, and accompanied by all the _materiel_ of -war. A civil war was the same, but that one part of a state in a civil -war was opposed to another part of the same state. It would be for them -to determine whether enough had been proved to shew that any thing like -war had been levied. It had been laid down by Sir Matthew Hale, that -any disturbance was not necessarily a ‘levying of war;’ for in that -case every riot would be high treason. To constitute a levying of war, -there must be something worse than a common riot or outrage; ‘there -must be a _species belli_?’ - -“Could the Jury find this on the present occasion? The utmost force -that had been mentioned consisted of forty men. These forty men were to -be marched with unfurled banners through the city, to take two cannon -in Gray’s Inn-lane, and six in the Artillery Ground, and they were to -possess themselves of the Mansion-house. Was this a levying of war? -That the conspirators had been formed into companies was more than he -had ever heard, and where was the money that was to carry on the war? -In what holes and corners had they hidden themselves that nothing was -known of them? - -“From the circumstances to which he had called their attention, he -would leave the Jury to judge how far the charge of levying war, -or conspiring to levy war against the King had been made out. In -a former instance, if he recollected right, the same charges were -brought forward on a former trial that were now preferred, and in that -case there were stronger circumstances--great bodies of persons had -assembled, gunsmiths’ shops had been broken open, and arms had been -stolen from them; yet in that case the Jury, not denying the existence -of any guilt whatever, had rightly determined, as he thought, and as he -hoped the present Jury would do, that the party accused was not guilty -of high treason. - -“He then shewed, that to endeavour to remove the ministers from their -situations was not a crime; and he argued, that to attempt removing -them by force was not high treason. - -“He trusted the Jury would believe that he contemplated the plot to -assassinate ministers with all the horror and indignation that such a -design was calculated to inspire; but he could not sacrifice his duty -to his feelings, and he hoped that they would feel as he did, and feel -how necessary it was for the safety of other lives, that those who -were concerned in it should not for that offence be convicted of high -treason. It was most consoling to him to reflect, that he should be -followed by his learned friend, who would address them with much more -eloquence than he could command. - -“He concluded by calling on them, whatever their feelings might be, to -look at all the circumstances of the case, and see if they could find -it proved by good, or even by bad witnesses, that there had been a -levying of war. If they did find this, he could not expect a verdict; -but if they found, as he thought they must, that there had been no -levying of war, they must return a verdict of “NOT GUILTY.” - - -EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENCE. - -THOMAS CHAMBERS examined: I live in Heathcock-court, Strand. I have -seen a man of the name of Adams in company with a man named Edwards, -about a week before the Cato-street business took place, in my room. -They came together. They made a proposition to assassinate his -Majesty’s ministers. Adams and Edwards asked me to go with them. I -refused. Adams said, “They were going to kill his Majesty’s ministers, -and that they would have blood and wine for supper.” They came again -on the Monday night before the Cato-street business took place. They -brought with them a large bag. - -Cross-examined by Mr. Gurney: I am a bootmaker; I might have seen -Ings. I am not certain. I cannot say how long I have known him. I -don’t suppose I have been in his company above twice or three times. -The first time was at a place where they sold the Black Dwarf and the -Medusa, kept by a man of the name of Watling. I cannot state where else -I have seen him. I know a house called the Scotch Arms, in Round-court, -in the Strand. I have been there three times, but did not see him. -Those times were before Christmas. There was no chair there. There was -no person sitting in a chair. There was no chairman. It was in no other -room but the tap-room. - -I have been at the Black Dog, in Gray’s-Inn-lane, once; there was no -chair there; there might be about seven persons there; it was on a -Sunday night; I cannot say whether before or after Christmas; I was -invited there by a man of the name of Bryant, who was going to the -Cape of Good Hope. They were all strangers to me except one, and that -was Mr. Thistlewood; I know Brunt very well, he was not there; I don’t -think I know Palin; I will not swear I did not see him; I was at all -the meetings in Smithfield; I cannot state who carried the black flag; -I carried no flag at the last meeting; I before carried two flags--one -had inscribed on it “The Manchester Massacre;” I never saw such a flag -as “Let us die like freemen, and not be sold like slaves.” I carried -the flag inscribed “Trial by Jury,” at Mr. Hunt’s entry into London. I -know Davidson. I have not much knowledge of Tidd. I know Wilson. I know -Harrison very well. I have not much knowledge of Strange nor Cooper. - -I have known Mr. Hunt ever since his triumphal entry into London. I was -shocked at the proposition of going to murder his Majesty’s ministers, -at least so much that I did not go. Though Bow-street was so near, I -did not go there to give information of the plot. - -MARY BARKER spoke to Edwards’s bringing grenades to Tidd’s, her -father’s. There was one very large ball brought away by Adams. - -This was the whole of the evidence for the prisoner. - -Ings here requested, and was permitted to withdraw for about a minute. -He returned with an orange in his hand, which he sucked with great -composure. - -Mr. ADOLPHUS then rose to address the Jury. - -“Gentlemen of the Jury,--I call for serious attention and kind -indulgence, if for no other reason, for this consideration, that, if -your verdict should be against the unfortunate man at the bar, these -are the last favourable words that he shall hear uttered. My Lord will -state the law and the evidence to you fairly; but, beyond that, he -will say nothing for the prisoner. I feel the languor that necessarily -arises from the attempt to tread over ground already trodden, and -trodden in vain. But I advance to the task with a clear mind, and -faculties unfettered, because I can lay my hand upon my heart, and say, -that no opinion I formerly offered is now changed. - -“The Solicitor-General, in his fervid opening, and my Lord, have told -you, that the former case is to be kept entirely out of view. I say -so; but I know how difficult it is to prevent the judgment from being -influenced by the memory. I cannot help here contrasting the joy and -alacrity of the Solicitor-General with my own feelings. He told you, -that he had to lay before you, not what he hoped to prove, but what he -had already proved. I have no such encouragement. It is for me a new -case; for Adams has, in this case, brought forward evidence which he -thought proper to keep in his own breast on the former trial. - -“Much fervid declamation has been addressed to you by the -Solicitor-General upon the consequences of success in the alleged -plot. But you are to dismiss from your minds this speculative danger. -The Solicitor-General has also stated propositions of law upon the -subject of accomplices with great eloquence, but with less accuracy -than might have been expected from his station and character. He asked, -‘Has the accomplice any interest in giving a deeper dye,--in making a -stronger point,--in carrying conviction?’ I answer, ‘Yes, yes, yes!’ -His impunity is conditional. He comes before you in chains, and in -custody.--I refer to your own breasts, whether a man that can himself -be yet prosecuted, has no interest in giving not true but acceptable -evidence. The accomplice has the advantage too of having all who could -contradict him tied up by the prosecution, and he therefore swears -boldly. - -“We are told, we might call Palin. Most gracious offer! When a great -reward cannot stimulate the police-officers to find him, how should -we find him, and persuade him to put his life in peril? It is more a -taunt than a kindness; more a reproach on our weakness than an essay -on our strength. On the part of the prosecution, a witness has not -been called who was proposed to be called; and a witness that has been -called has been withdrawn, when our witnesses have been on the floor -to contradict him. This has further impoverished my poor, my destitute -clients.” - -The ATTORNEY-GENERAL objected to these observations. - -Mr. ADOLPHUS proceeded.--“Cook and Harris may be imaginary persons, and -how could we call them? If high treason in this case comes entirely -from the mouth of an accomplice, you cannot receive it. It is the whole -of the charge; and, if in that the accomplice is not confirmed, that -charge is unsupported; for, if you strike out the evidence of Adams, -there is not one word to prove treason. - -“Let me ask you to try his testimony, then, by these tests.--1. Is -his account probable, or even possible?--2. Is his manner such as to -entitle him to credit?--3. Is he contradicted by witnesses for the -prosecution?--4. Is he confirmed? or is confirmation withdrawn? Upon -the first question, the learned Counsel argued with great force and -animation, that the witness, Adams, could not stand any one of these -tests, and therefore was not to be believed. If, said he, any thing -is to be gained by success in these prosecutions, it is to strengthen -the Government in the minds of the people; it is to obtain applause -for Ministers who have so vigilantly protected us. But your verdict, -gentlemen, is to decide the fate of that man, and no more. Great -Britain and Europe will judge of the conduct of Ministers; posterity -will decide upon their merits. - -“In all questions at issue, in history and in politics, if any thing is -kept back, it ought to operate against the party who keeps it back. -Adams has fathered upon others what he has himself done. Call Ings a -murderer--call him an assassin--call him a felon--call him what you -will--but, for God’s sake, gentlemen, believe him.” After some animated -comment on the evidence of Chambers, the learned Counsel returned to -Adams. - -“The meeting in Cato-street affords no evidence of the intention. Adams -alone states it. The very situation of Cato-street, however convenient -for the assassination, disproves the treason; for it is two miles and -a half from Gray’s Inn-lane, and two or three miles more from the -Mansion-house. They never could thus have removed to the greatest -possible distance from the points of action. What, then, are you to -make of two bags to carry two heavy heads? You cannot for a moment -raise this into treason; as well might you believe that an attempt was -to be made to liberate the prisoners in this gaol by throwing cherries -and carraway-seeds. Did they, then, levy war? - -“I recollect seeing a man convicted at that bar of the murder of -a Minister of State (Mr. Perceval). I never can forget Sir James -Mansfield, the tears streaming down his aged venerable cheeks. If -strong feelings could make the assassination of a Minister treason, -that would have been treason. Suppose they had seized the cannons, -that would not be a levying of war; for they are not the King’s, but -the property of private individuals. The Mansion-house and the Bank -were not the King’s. The only tittle to support the treason was the -absurdity of a ‘Provisional Government,’ stated by Adams. - -“Some of you remember, as I do, the conflagration of houses, and the -blazing of prisons, by a mob misled by an individual. The actors in -that scene were tried, convicted of felonies, but not of treason. Their -infatuated leader was acquitted of high treason. God forbid that I -should say my client stands before you free of guilt. God forbid I -should apologize for his conduct! - -“The evidence precludes me from denying that there was an intention to -assassinate Ministers. Poverty rendered the men desperate, and impelled -them to crime. But treason is incredible and impossible. The whole -hinged on Thistlewood. He had but lately got out of prison, having -challenged Lord Sidmouth, who properly prosecuted him, instead of -accepting it. That he should entertain feelings of revenge was natural -and inevitable, considering that his was a bad mind. But this is not -treason.” - -The learned Counsel having concluded his very able speech, the prisoner -was addressed as follows, by - -_Chief Justice Dallas._--James Ings, do you wish to leave your defence -to the observations of your counsel, or do you wish to say any thing -yourself? - -_Ings._--I wish to state the particulars how I became acquainted with -this party, if you will allow me. - -_The Chief Justice._--Any thing and every thing you wish to state, of -course the court and jury will hear. Now is the time for you to state -those things; speak loud, and we will attend to what you say. Probably, -before you say any thing, you will consult your counsel. - -_Ings._--I have but little to say. - -_The Chief Justice._--After having drawn your attention to the -propriety of consulting your counsel, you will now do what you think -best. - -_Ings_, addressing himself to the Jury, spoke as follows: - -“Gentlemen of the Jury, I am a man of no education and very humble -abilities. If you will hear me with patience, I will not detain you -long. I lived in Portsea. I came to London in the beginning of May, -1819. I came with my wife and family. The reason I left Portsmouth was, -that I was unable to get employ to support my family (here the prisoner -seemed affected by his feelings.) When I came to London I thought I -could get employ, but I was for a considerable time, and could get -nothing to do. Knowing nobody I suppose was the reason. I had a few -pounds with me when I came from Portsea. Finding my money going I did -not know what to do. It did not go by drinking or gambling. - -“I determined to get into business, and I went up to Baker’s-row, -where I set up a butcher’s shop. I stopped there three months, from -Midsummer to Michaelmas; the summer being hot was against me; I lost -a considerable deal of money in the course of the summer; I then took -a house in Old Montague-street, which I opened as a coffee-shop; in -fitting up the shop my money was all gone; I did not take money enough -to support my family. I now persuaded my wife to return to Portsea -among her friends, where I thought she would be better than with me in -London. - -“After my wife had left me some considerable time, there was a man -who used to come and take a cup of coffee at my shop. I had never -nothing to do with politics; but he began to speak about the Manchester -massacre. I said very little; I always took him to be an officer. He -came frequently before I left the house. - -“Some time after I met him in Smithfield. I went there to see if I -could get any employ. He asked me how I did; and I said very well. He -said, he had been often to my house, and asked me to stand treat. I -said it was not in my power, and my reason was, that I had no money; -I added that I should be obliged to sell my things. He asked me what -things I had to sell, and I told him various articles. He agreed to -buy a sofa bedstead. - -“I then went to live in Primrose-street. This was in January last. A -few days after, I met him in Fleet-market. He asked me where we could -have something to drink; and respecting the sofa bedstead, he said he -thought he had a friend that would buy it. I took him to my house, but -we could not agree. We came back to Fleet-street; he then told me there -was something going to be done. I asked him what it was, and he said no -good man would want to know what was to be done before it was begun. We -went directly and had some bread and cheese. He took me to the White -Hart, where I saw a few of my fellow-prisoners. I asked who he was. I -understood his name was Williams; but I since know that it was Edwards. -He told me that it was he made Thomas Paine (the statue of Paine) at -Mr. Carlisle’s; and it was the same man that did make it. He afterwards -took me to another room where I got refreshment. - -“I did not know the particulars of any thing that was going to be done. -I was a stranger, and went for food. That very day he brought me a -sword to get ground for him, which I took to the cutler’s in my own -name; and do you think, gentlemen, if I knew that any thing was going -on, that I would have left it in my own name? I often went to the man -afterwards, for I had no friends. On the 23d of February, he came to me -at my lodging, in Primrose-street, for my landlord charged me nothing -for my lodging, and says, ‘There’s something a going to be done; do -you come up to the alley opposite Mrs. Carlisle’s; about six o’clock, -I shall meet you there.’ I went from there up to the room. I was there -all day, and I got some bread and cheese. - -“At six I went to Fleet-street. He was standing in the alley. I -understand since, from the list of witnesses, that he lives in that -alley. He told me to wait, which I did, for an hour. He then came and -gave me a couple of bags and a belt, and asked me to come to the room -in Fox-court. On my going there he told me that he was going to put -some gin in the bags; and that it was to be got on the sly. That was -the sole reason that I put the bags under my coat, lest the patrol -should see them. I went with him up to St. Giles’s, where he said we -were to get the gin. When we got there, he told me it was not there. We -went up to Oxford-street, where he said a friend lived. He left me and -I waited for him an hour. He then took me up to John-street, I believe -it was, for I never was there before, to the stable. He told me I would -see some friends there; he then left me. - -“When I came under the archway, I saw Davidson; Davidson took me into -the stable. I never was up in the loft. I declare positively, before -God, I was not in the stable more than five minutes when the officers -came in: there was only me there. Mr. Ruthven, then, or somebody with -carroty whiskers, and another, went up the ladder into the loft, and a -third man came in, collared me, and said, “You are my prisoner.” Very -well, I says. Soon after he collared me, he began beating me with his -staff till my head swelled most dreadfully. In the mean time I heard a -gun or pistol go off in the loft. - -“When he let me go and run out of the stable, I followed him into the -street. On going into the street, an officer went after me, and I ran -all down the street. I met a man who struck me violently on the head -with a stick as I was going towards him. I ran from him, and with that -I was pursued, when I was stopped by a watchman who beat me also. They -took me down to the watch-house. That is all I know about the meeting. - -“I am like a bullock drove into Smithfield market to be sold. (Here -the prisoner burst into tears.) I say I am like a bullock drove into -Smithfield to be sold. (This he repeated with great energy.) The -Attorney-General knows the man. He knew all their plans for two months -before I was acquainted with it. (Still crying.) When I was before Lord -Sidmouth, a gentleman said, Lord Sidmouth knew all about this for two -months. (Still in tears.) I consider myself murdered if this man is not -brought forward. (A more violent gush of tears.) I am willing to die -on the scaffold with him. He told of every thing which he did himself. -I don’t value my life if I can’t get a living for my family. (In still -greater grief.) My life is of no use to me if I want bread for my wife -and family. I have a wife and four children. I never was in the habit -of drinking, nor nothing of the sort. I cannot describe my feelings to -you about my wife and family. (In tears.) - -“I hope, before you give your verdict, that you will see this man -brought forward, or else I consider myself a murdered man. I knew -nothing of their plots; he was the instigation of it all. I never -attended none of their radical meetings. I hope you will weigh well -this in your minds before you return your verdict. That man Adams, who -has got out of the halter himself by accusing others falsely, would -hang his God. I would sooner die, if I had 500 lives, than be the means -of hanging other men.” - -Lord Chief Justice DALLAS.--Is there any thing more you wish to say? - -INGS.--Nothing more. I have only one thing to prove my character. A -gentleman put it down from my childhood. (He here handed a paper, which -his Lordship declined to take.) - -The ATTORNEY-GENERAL rose to address the Jury about three o’clock. It -had been more than insinuated that these prosecutions were intended -to extend the law of treason, and that their verdict would enlarge the -powers of the Crown. But it was not so; by the due administration of -justice alone were they to pronounce on the guilt or innocence of the -prisoner. - -“The 36th of the late King was not calculated to introduce uncertainty -and speculation. If the prisoners had the intention, and acted upon the -intention, of levying war, it was treason, however inadequate their -means. No man could doubt the truth of the story which Adams related. -The learned gentleman then commented on the evidence at great length, -insisting that the case was satisfactorily proved.” - -Lord Chief Justice DALLAS proceeded to address the Jury. This most -painful inquiry having, in point of proof, been terminated, it became -his duty to recapitulate the whole of the evidence, and to make such -observations on the case as the different points seemed to him to -require. - -“With respect to the indictment, it contained a number of different -counts and charges, which were founded on two specific statutes. The -first, an ancient statute, passed in the reign of Edward III.; and the -second, a more recent act, passed in the reign of the late King. But, -to make the case as clear as possible, they might dismiss most of the -counts from their minds, and look to the charge as composed of two -heads; one, conspiring to depose the King, and the other conspiring to -levy war to compel him to change his measures. He should now proceed to -recite the evidence as he had taken it. [The learned Judge here read -the evidence of the whole of the witnesses, pointing out those facts -which were most worthy the consideration of the Jury.] The learned -Judge then, in allusion to the testimony of Adams, observed, that, -if the doctrines held that day could be adopted, no such thing as an -accomplice could be admitted in a court of justice. His evidence would -be at once got rid of, by stating that he was guilty himself. - -“They were, however, informed, that though it was often necessary to -receive the evidence of an accomplice, yet in the practical application -of that evidence, they were to view it with a suspicious eye. They were -not to receive it, except it was confirmed. On this point he had heard -the law grossly mis-stated. - -“The testimony of an accomplice ought to be confirmed in some -particulars, but not in all; for if they possessed the means of proving -all he stated, there would be no necessity to call him to give evidence. - -“It was for the Jury to say whether the prisoners had not a -revolutionary object in view. If they were assembled merely for the -purpose of assassination, of course the charge of treason was not made -out, but if they thought otherwise, undoubtedly it was. It might be -said that it was impossible men could entertain such an extravagant -project; if he had been told that there were twenty-five men on the -face of the earth, and still less, of the country to which he had the -honour to belong, who intended to commit the foul and dreadful act of -butchery and blood which had been described, he should have said, till -they were detected, that it was utterly impossible--that such a thing -never had happened and never could. But looking to the evidence, it was -clear and undoubted that such an occurrence had happened. - -“The prisoner had called witnesses before them, and he had implored the -Jury, ere they disposed of his fate, to consider his case maturely. In -that request he went hand in hand. If they were of opinion that those -persons assembled only to destroy fourteen individuals, and that the -materials found were merely collected for that purpose, they would then -give the benefit of that doubt to the prisoner. But, on the other -hand, if, in the discharge of their duty, acting in the name of that -Being who had been more than once appealed to in the course of this -inquiry, they believed that the offence was proved, they would then, he -was sure, fearlessly and intrepidly return with a verdict in conformity -with their sentiments.” - -The Jury retired at twenty-five minutes after eight o’clock, and, at a -quarter before nine, returned a verdict of--GUILTY, ON THE FIRST AND -THIRD COUNTS--that is, of conspiring to depose the King, and to levy -war to compel him to change his measures. - - -The prisoner was then taken from the bar, and the Court adjourned. - - - - -TRIAL OF JOHN THOMAS BRUNT. - -SESSIONS-HOUSE, OLD BAILEY. - - -_First Day, Monday, April 24, 1820._ - -At nine o’clock in the morning, the Lord Chief Baron Richards, Mr. -Baron Garrow, Mr. Justice Richardson, and the Common Serjeant, took -their seats. - -The prisoner, Brunt, was then put to the bar. He was decently dressed -in coloured clothes, and had with him several papers, some of which -were closely written upon. He looked rather paler than before, but -preserved his accustomed composure. - -Mr. Shelton proceeded to call over the names of the Jurymen in -attendance. The first name called, and to which there was no challenge -on the part of the prisoner or the Court, was Mr. Alexander Barclay. - -Mr. Barclay stated, that, as he had been on the Jury by which -Thistlewood had been tried, he hoped he might be excused on the present -occasion. - -Mr. Curwood said, that it was because he was on the former Jury he -wished him to be on the present, as he would be enabled to see the -difference of evidence. - -The Solicitor-General said he had no objection. - -Mr. Barclay was then sworn; and he was foreman of this as well as the -former Jury. - -Mr. Curwood exhausted his right of challenging peremptorily before -the Crown, on whose behalf the last four challenges were made in -succession. As the Jurors were sworn, they were very attentively -noticed by the prisoner. After the challenges had been gone through, -the following Jury was impanelled: - -* Alexander Barclay, of Teddington, grocer, (foreman). - -* Thomas Goodchild, Esq., North-End, Hendon. - -* Thomas Suffield Aldersey, Lisson-grove, North, Esq. - -* James Herbert, Isleworth, carpenter. - -* John Shooter, North-End, Hendon, gent. - -James Wilmot, Western-road, Isleworth, market-gardener. - -* John Edward Shepherd, Eden-Grove, Holloway, gent. - -* John Fowler, St. John-square, iron-plate-worker. - -* William Gibbs Roberts, Ropemakers’-fields, Limehouse, cooper. - -John Dickenson, Colt-street, Limehouse, builder. - -John Smith, John-street, Oxford-street, undertaker. - -John Woodward, Upper-street, Islington. - - Those gentlemen to whose names a * is prefixed served on the first - Jury. - -Mr. Bolland immediately proceeded to open the indictment against Brunt. - -The Attorney-General then stated the case to the Jury, going over all -the facts already detailed in the former trials, and commenting upon -them with great clearness and ingenuity. As soon as he had concluded -his address, the other prisoners (untried) were brought into Court. - -ROBERT ADAMS (the first witness against Thistlewood and Ings) was put -into the box, and examined by the Solicitor-General. He detailed the -same story, in substance, which he gave on the former trials; adding -some things which he had then omitted, and varying a little his account -of others. In the course of his evidence he came to that part where he -described Brunt to have said, that, if any officers came in there, he -(uttering an oath) would murder them, and they might be easily disposed -of afterwards, so as to prevent their murder being discovered. - -_Brunt_, (rising hastily from his seat at the bar)--My Lords, can the -witness look me in the face, and look at those gentlemen (pointing to -the Jury), and say that I said this? - -_Adams_, (turning towards the prisoner, and laying his hand upon his -breast)--I can, with a clear and safe conscience. - -_Brunt._--Then you are a bigger villain than I even took you to be. - -The Court here interfered to prevent any further conversation between -the parties. - -Adams then continued his evidence.--When he came to that part where -he mentioned the hand-grenades, he added--“I think it necessary here -to state, as Mr. Brunt thinks proper to deny what I have said, that -he was the very man that took the hand-grenades to Tidd’s house; -for I followed him all the way, and I saw, with my own eyes, Tidd’s -daughter put them in a box under the window.” [The witness uttered this -with considerable emphasis and action.] In relating the arrangements -which had been made for the murder of Ministers, and the subsequent -proceedings which were intended, he added--“I think it right to state -one circumstance, which escaped my memory before. Ings proposed, that -after the heads of Lords Castlereagh and Sidmouth were taken off, -they should be placed on a pole, and carried through the streets. -Thistlewood improved the plan, and said that they should be carried -on a pike behind the cannon in the streets, to excite terror. On this -Bradburn observed, that, after they had used Lord Castlereagh’s head, -they would enclose it in a box, and send it to Ireland.--Another -circumstance which he also omitted before was, that, by an arrangement -between Thistlewood and Cooke, it was agreed, that, if Cooke -succeeded in taking the Mansion-house, he was to send an orderly to -St. Sepulchre’s Church, where he was to be met by another orderly, -despatched by Thistlewood from the west-end of the town; and they were -to convey to the parties an account of the progress which each had made -in their stations.” - -Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.--On my former examination I repented -when I got home, and before that. When I perceived the error of my -ways, I acknowledged it. Till I received that infernal publication, -Paine’s _Age of Reason_, which Tidd gave me, I was very particular. -I was not, however, so good a christian as I might have been. The -principles which Brunt, the prisoner at the bar, endeavoured to instil -into my mind perverted my understanding. Brunt wished to throw down -the pillars of Christianity altogether. I find my conscience satisfied -at the atonement I have made to my Maker. My satisfaction did not -merely arise from getting my neck out of the halter. I never considered -the assassinating of men, in cold blood, to be consistent with the -principles of reason. On the 2d of January, the prisoner told me that -it was intended to murder his Majesty’s Ministers. I was introduced to -Thistlewood on the 12th: during the intermediate period of ten days, -I had an opportunity of considering the plot. I did not discover it, -owing to the insinuations of Brunt. In that time, I attended several -meetings, and was a chairman at one of them. Whenever I hinted any -dislike to the business, the parties were like madmen. I knew Edwards, -and saw him making hand-grenades. I intended to put a stop to the -business if possible; but, at the same time, I wished to save these -people, and to avoid the trouble of the trials here. - -Re-examined by Mr. Gurney.--My mind was perverted by Paine’s _Age of -Reason_, and Carlisle’s publication. - -Eleanor Walker, Mary Rogers, Joseph Hale, Thomas Sharp, Charles Bisset, -Henry Gillam, Edward Simpson, and J. H. Morrison, gave precisely the -same evidence as they had given on the former trials. - -JOHN MONUMENT, the accomplice, was brought into Court in the custody of -two wardens of the Tower. He was examined by the Solicitor-General, and -gave precisely the same evidence as he had done on the two preceding -trials, relative to his connexion with the conspirators. - -Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.--I have read Paine’s _Age of Reason_. -It rather shook my faith; but it did not destroy it, because it was -accompanied by the Bishop of Llandaff’s _Apology for the Bible_. - -THOMAS MONUMENT, examined by the Solicitor-General.--His testimony -to-day was precisely the same with that which he had given on the -former day, and fully corroborated that of his brother. He was not -cross-examined. - -John Monument was then re-called, and re-examined by the -Solicitor-General, as to the advice which had been given him by -Thistlewood to say that Edwards had taken him to the meeting. He -repeated his former testimony, and added, that Thistlewood told him -to pass it round to the other prisoners, that it was Edwards who had -betrayed them. Bradburn paid no attention to this advice. - -THOMAS HYDEN, examined by Mr. Gurney, repeated his former evidence. -This is the man who gave information of the plot to Lords Harrowby and -Castlereagh, of which he on this occasion gave a detailed account. - -Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.--I know a man of the name of Bennett, a -bricklayer. I asked him to go with me to the shoemakers’ club. I cannot -swear that I did not ask him to go there, because something was to be -done there for the good of the country. I wrote to Lord Harrowby myself. - -Here the learned Counsel asked him to write a word or two. He did so. -Mr. Curwood observed, that he asked the question because he had been -informed that the witness could not write. He had been mis-informed, -and had now done with the witness. - -After the examination of this witness had closed, he evinced a -disposition to stay in Court, on which the prisoner, Brunt, observed, -“My Lord, the witness stays in Court.” Wilson then rose, and said, with -great indignation, “My Lord, let that perjured villain be turned out of -Court.” He then took his departure. - -The EARL OF HARROWBY was next called, and repeated his former evidence. - -JOHN BAKER, the butler to the Earl of Harrowby, corroborated his -Lordship’s evidence. - -RICHARD MUNDAY and GEORGE CAYLOCK proved the presence of the prisoner -in Cato-street on the evening on which the plot was discovered. - -GEORGE RUTHVEN, JAMES ELLIS, THOMAS WESTCOTT, and others belonging to -the police-office in Bow-street, were then examined as to the seizure -of the gang in Cato-street. - -CAPTAIN FITZCLARENCE repeated the evidence which he had given on the -former trial. - -Mr. Gurney then stated to the Court, that the case for the prosecution -was closed, except so far as related to the examination of the arms, -ammunition, _&c._, which had been seized either in Cato-street, or on -the premises of the conspirators. It would be more prudent to examine -them by day-light. - -The _Lord Chief-Baron_ acquiesced in the proposition, and adjourned the -Court till the next day at nine o’clock. - - -SECOND DAY.--TUESDAY, _April 25_. - -At nine o’clock in the morning the proceedings were resumed. The arms -and ammunition were brought in, and underwent an inspection in presence -of the Jury. - -Mr. GURNEY proceeded to call - -GEORGE RUTHVEN, who had seized the arms found in Cato-street. He -identified certain arms placed on the table of the Court as the arms -which he had seized, and repeated the evidence which he had given on -the former trials. He also produced the grenades. - -HECTOR MORRISON said, that he had sharpened a sword, which was produced -to him, from heel to point, by desire of Ings. - -SAMUEL TAUNTON produced several pike-heads, fire-balls, cartridges, -_&c._, which were found at Brunt’s and Tidd’s lodgings, and repeated -his former evidence. - -SERGEANT HANSON described the composition of the fire-balls, and opened -one of the grenades for the satisfaction of the Jury. It contained -twenty-five pieces of old iron. He stated, that it was quite clear that -it had not been made by any military man. His evidence was the same as -it had been on the former occasions. - -The case for the prosecution was then closed. - - -THE DEFENCE. - -Mr. CURWOOD addressed the Jury on behalf of the prisoner, and urged -all those topics already detailed in his former speeches. He concluded -by calling a witness of the name of JOHN BENNETT, who was accordingly -sworn and put into the box, but before his examination commenced, - -Mr. Gurney begged to ask the purpose for which this witness was called. - -Mr. Curwood stated, that he was to contradict part of the testimony -given by the witness Hyden, in his cross-examination. - -Mr. Gurney observed, that he had a few observations to make regarding -the relevancy of the evidence of this witness, and therefore desired -that he might be ordered to withdraw for a few moments from Court. - -The witness accordingly withdrew. - -Mr. Gurney then observed, that he conceived that this witness was -called to prove that Hyden had asked him to go with him to the -shoemakers’-club, because something would be done there for the good -of the country. Now Hyden refused to swear that he had not used such -expressions; he said that he thought that he had not, but he could not -positively tell. Supposing then that Bennett were to prove the words -imputed by the learned Counsel to Hyden, he would not prove any thing -which would invalidate Hyden’s testimony. He therefore hoped that his -learned friend would not waste the time of the Court by calling this -witness. - -Mr. Curwood stated, that Hyden had sworn that he had never made use of -the words imputed to him. He, therefore, intended to call evidence to -prove that he had. - -The Judges then referred to their notes, and after examination of them, -said that Mr. Curwood was mistaken in his opinion as to Hyden’s words; -they were to the effect stated by Mr. Gurney. - -Mr. Curwood then declined to call Bennet, and said that he had no other -witness to examine. - -Mr. ADOLPHUS then shortly addressed the Jury on the same side with Mr. -Curwood. He took a comprehensive view of the whole of the evidence; -denied that the evidence of Adams, the accomplice, was entitled to -the slightest credit; and contended that, as it was not supported by -more credible witnesses, the offence of which the prisoner had been -guilty, however great, did not amount to the charge in the indictment -of high treason. He concluded his address, in which he displayed much -zeal and ability, by appealing to the Jury on the danger to society of -receiving the unsupported evidence of an avowed accomplice, in a crime -of a nature so serious as that with which the prisoner stood charged. -He entreated them not to convict the prisoner because he was a bad man, -but to examine how far the charge against him had been substantiated. - - -A Juror rose and observed, that there was no evidence in the present -case of the ammunition having been brought back to Brunt’s house. - -The Chief-Baron said there was not, or of several other matters -alleged, which he would advert to afterwards. - -Mr. Adolphus said he had no intention of overstating any point; that he -had been unavoidably absent during part of the trial, and that might -have occasioned some inaccuracies-- - -The Solicitor-General interposed, and Mr. Adolphus sat down without any -further remark. - -While Mr. Adolphus was delivering his address, Mr. Harmer’s clerk -delivered to the prisoner a written paper, which he began to read; but -he did not seem to view its contents with much attention. - -The Chief Baron addressing the prisoner, said, “John Thomas Brunt; your -learned counsel have concluded their very able defence; but if you wish -to say any thing in your own defence, this is the time.” - -The prisoner then rose and spoke as follows:-- - -“My Lord, I have had a defence put into my hands only a few minutes -ago, which I have not had time to peruse over. Yet I have two or three -observations to make respecting the evidence--particularly respecting -the evidence of Monument. It’s quite useless for me to deny that I was -in the room in Cato-street; but immediately on the arrival of Monument -in Cato-street, he approached me, and asked me what was going to be -done, when he saw the arms on the bench; to which I replied, that I -was not aware of any thing being going to be done, for that Edwards -had not brought so many men by thirty as he stated he would bring, and -that it was not my intention to endeavour to do any thing with so few -men. I would not be led by any individual. Accordingly, perceiving that -Monument betrayed a great deal of fear, I persuaded him to go away. - -“My Lord, a considerable stress has been laid upon what I said -respecting the number of men who were to go to Lord Harrowby’s -house. This I declare was not true. I will admit, my Lord, that when -Thistlewood, as has been stated, addressed himself to the few men who -were there, and spoke, as the witness said, that if they did not go it -would be another Despard job, that some few men did go into the small -room; but, my Lord, it never came into my mind, I solemnly protest, to -go there. They were endeavouring to see if fourteen or fifteen men were -disposed to go to the square; but I would not agree to a plan which I -knew must expose these few individuals to instant death. - -“I will now call your Lordship’s attention to two circumstances -respecting the conduct of myself. In the first place, Adams says, in -order to implicate me more deeply, that I declared that I would go into -the room and blow the house about their ears. This, my Lord, is false. -For you see that when Monument comes forward, he makes a declaration to -you, gentlemen of the Jury, that I declared I would go myself and bury -myself in the ruins. Is this consistent?--is it upon such evidence as -this, that you will deprive a son of a father, and a wife of a husband? - -“I should wish to advert to another circumstance. While I was in -Coldbath-fields prison,--when I was there for nearly three days, during -which I was scarcely out of my room, even to wash myself. When I came -down out of my room to the fire I saw Monument; I saw Strange; I saw -Cooper; I saw Bradburn. Monument, my Lord, came to me, and sat himself -down close by me, and whispered in my ear these words: he said, ‘What -did you say when you came before the Privy Council?’ I says, ‘That I -said I knew nothing about the matter.’ This, my Lord, induced me to ask -Monument what he said? and I says, ‘What did you say?’ upon which he -says, ‘I could say nothing--you told me nothing. Why did you not tell -me more?’ I says, ‘It were impossible for me to tell you what I did not -know myself. You know very well, that when you saw the man call on us -to go into the small room I declined.’ - -“I admit, as was said by Adams, that I was one that was named to go to -the house; but, gentlemen of the Jury, you were not told that he was -the villain who so named me, and that he constantly came to my house -twice a-day, although he now comes to give evidence to deprive me of -my life. - -“I am no traitor--I was determined, when I entered into this base plot, -that I would lose my life sooner than I would betray an individual. -I would be put to death--I would die on the rack, rather than I -would betray a fellow-creature. This is my principle. This shews the -intention of Monument to betray me. - -“Now, my Lord, I come to advert to a circumstance which occurred to -me at Cambray, in France. It becomes me to state any thing which may -be of use to me and my fellow-prisoners. While I was in Cambray, in -France, my Lord, I met Adams when I first came from Paris. Adams worked -for the officers, and I assisted him in work which he was incapable of -performing himself. He afterwards became so jealous, that he threatened -to take my life, and I was obliged to leave the house, which I did, and -I never worked for him again. I afterwards went from Cambray to Lisle, -where I worked for an English tradesman of the name of Brailsford. I -worked for him two or three months, until I got a little money. During -this time I knew nothing of Adams. - -“When I came home I found that my wife had lost her senses, and was in -St. Luke’s, in consequence of her having heard that my son and myself -had been assassinated in France. I settled myself, and my wife shortly -after came out. I got a good seat of work, and at this time I was -persuaded to receive, as my apprentice, Hale, the witness, who has been -called to you.” - -Here the prisoner entered into some details relative to the character -of the relations of Hale, in which he was interrupted by the Chief -Baron, upon the principle, that these persons were in no way connected -with the present case. He then went on to detail a variety of acts on -the part of his apprentice, all tending to prove him a person of bad -character, and unworthy of credit, to which he said, if he had the -means, he could bring evidence. He then spoke as follows:-- - -“Of Hyden I know nothing.” Here he again referred to the written -defence with which he had been furnished. He said he had not had time -to read it, but continued. - -“I wish to advert to a person of the name of Edwards, who was the first -person that ever instigated me to enter into this snare. This Mr. -Edwards I first saw in company with Mr. Thistlewood, at the White Lyon -in Wych-street. This Edwards came to my lodging in Fox-court. I was -very short of work, and he used frequently to call on me--such a thing -as two or three times a-day; and this was long before the back room was -taken. If I was not at home he would wait for me; and often followed -me to places where I went for work. This was the case at the house of -a gentleman of the name of Scott, who saw him, and asked me if he was -waiting for me? and said, ‘Why does he not come in?’ - -“This man constantly harassed me, and oftentimes, my Lord, he supplied -me with money. He told me, and I can bring other people to prove it, -that he said that if he could get a hundred such men as me, he could -do any thing. He considered me a staunch man, my Lord, and thought, -I suppose, that I was a fit man to make a prey of. He often took me -out to call on people, and to treat them with drink. This was his -constant practice. He was continually with me before this business; -and I solemnly declare, that this was the individual, and not Mr. -Thistlewood, who brought me into this plot. - -“I must now, my Lord, advert to what took place in Cato-street, and to -his (Edwards’s) conduct on that evening. I will state nothing but the -truth. - -“My Lord, from the different favours I received from Edwards, I had -a good opinion of the man. When the officers came up into the room in -Cato-street, I made my escape in the best manner I could. I did not -make my escape, however, like a coward or a traitor, I did not desert -my companions. I went immediately to Grosvenor-square, where I knew -this villain was, although I shall, probably, by his means, be sent -into another world very shortly. I went to the villain, and told him -what had happened; at which he seemed very much surprised, and left the -square with me. - -“Shortly after up came Thistlewood and another person, who was in the -room in Cato-street; but who has not since been taken, nor never will -I dare say, my Lord. However, we proceeded from Grosvenor-square, and -he took us into several wine-vaults to drink; I now believe, merely for -some person to identify us. I then went to Fox-court, Holborn, where I -had not been many minutes, when, as my apprentice stated, another man -came in, who said he had received a violent blow in the side. But my -apprentice has not stated, as the fact was, that the very individual -who came on the stairs and called us out, was Edwards. - -“We went with him; and, on going into Holborn, there we met a man -of the name of Palin, and three more individuals with him. We went -altogether into Mr. Thompson’s wine-vaults, opposite St. Andrew’s -Church, on Holborn-hill. We drank some small glasses of liquor. When -we came out of the shop, we were followed very shortly by Edwards, -who called me on one side, and said he wished to speak to me. I heard -what he had to say. He began to find fault with Palin, who was drunk. -He declared that he was the man that had betrayed us, and that he was -unworthy to live. He said, that, to prevent treachery, he ought to be -made away with. - -“From that we walked on till we came to Little Britain, or somewhere -thereabouts. We came to a dark place, where Edwards said that Cook -lived; but I did not know myself. He urged me again respecting Palin, -who still remained much intoxicated. He said to me, that it would -be the safest way to put him out of the world. He urged me several -times to assassinate Palin. He then put his hand in his pocket, and -pulled out a brass-barrelled loaded pistol, with which he told me to -assassinate Palin. He likewise offered me a sword-stick; and he said, -‘If you put him out of the world, we shall be safe.’ He also shewed me -a constable’s staff; and said, ‘I will act in the same capacity as I -did in Grosvenor-square; and, if there is any alarm, I will officiate -as an officer, and you may depend on it no discovery will take place.’ - -“Finding he entreated me to be guilty of murder, I made this reply: ‘If -you consider Palin a villain, the weapons are in good hands.’ Finding -he could not entreat me to commit murder, he says, ‘I must wish you a -good night; I am going to conduct Thistlewood to some secret place.’ As -he had always appeared to be a particular friend of Mr. Thistlewood’s, -I thought he was the most proper person to do this. - -“Knowing of no evil intention myself against any individual, I was -determined not to know where he went; and I consented to bid him good -night. I then went home. Edwards afterwards came to me, and whispered -to me, and told me that he thought Palin and Potter had betrayed us, -and that he had not the smallest doubt of it. He then advised me to -send the articles which were found in the basket in the back-room, and -which my apprentice has described, over to a place in the Borough, -which I was going to do, but afterwards abandoned that intention. - -“This is all I wish to say respecting what I know of the plot. Now -Edwards was the man who always found money, and who went about to -old-iron shops, buying pistols and swords, and other things for the men -who could not afford to buy them themselves. - -“This, I declare before God, whose awful tribunal I shall, in all -probability, ere long, be summoned to attend, is the truth. Should -I die by this case, I have been seduced by a villain, who, I have -no doubt, has been employed by Government. I could not have abused -confidence reposed in me; and, if I die, I shall die not unworthy -the descendant of an ancient Briton! Sooner than I would betray a -fellow-man, I would rather suffer a thousand deaths! This is all that I -wish to say.” - -The prisoner delivered the last part of his speech with great energy, -striking his clenched fist on the board before him. He then took his -seat with perfect composure, holding in his hand the defence which he -had made no use of. - -The CHIEF BARON began to sum up the evidence; but, while his Lordship -was proceeding, Brunt said, “My Lord, there are some of the witnesses -for the prosecution in Court; and, as their hearing the evidence summed -up may prejudice the trial of some of my fellow-prisoners, I hope your -Lordship will order them to withdraw.” - -Mr. Gurney.--My Lord, they are only those witnesses who were permitted -to remain by common consent; they are the officers. - -The Lord Chief Baron.--They are only those whom your Counsel have -consented to remain. - -Mr. Baron Garrow repeated the same observation to the prisoner, who -bowed respectfully to the Court, and resumed his seat. - -The CHIEF BARON began his charge to the Jury by telling them, that this -was not constructive treason. A nefarious assassination was admitted -by the Counsel for the prisoner, and by the prisoner himself, to have -been intended; an assassination of some of the most honourable and the -most amiable of the King’s subjects. - -His Lordship then read the evidence. - -In recapitulating the evidence of Adams, his Lordship observed, upon -that part where he (Adams) mentioned “that he had been induced to -give up Christianity by reading that infernal work, Paine’s _Age of -Reason_, and the writings of Carlile,” that the circumstance was -important for the consideration of the Jury. They would weigh every -part of his testimony with jealousy, considering the situation in which -he was placed, and look upon his statement as requiring corroborative -proof. Unless it was supported by such evidence, they would, of -course, receive it with considerable hesitation; but if they found -it corroborated by the evidence of unsuspected witnesses, they would -consider of it accordingly. His Lordship then went through the evidence -of the other witnesses, remarking upon those parts where they coincided -with the account given by Adams. He then adverted to the arguments -of the prisoner’s Counsel, and to the observations of the prisoner -himself; which latter (though, perhaps, it might not have produced the -impression which they could have wished, for the sake of the prisoner) -they would give every attention to. - -As soon as his Lordship concluded, and before the Jury retired, one of -them addressed the Court: “My Lord, I hope your Lordship will allow me -to ask a question as to a point of law.” - -_The Lord Chief Baron._--Certainly, Sir; any thing you please. - -_Juror._--My Lord, we are bound to take the law from your Lordship, and -no doubt you will give it to us most correctly. I wish to know whether, -if the evidence bore out that an arming had taken place, and that there -was a resistance to the civil power, would that, in the law, be a -levying of war? - -_The Lord Chief Baron._--Undoubtedly. After a short pause, his Lordship -said, “Gentlemen, do I understand the question rightly? Please to -repeat it again.” - -The Juror repeated the question; and his Lordship replied, that a -resistance to the civil authority would not constitute a levying of war. - -_The Juror._--My Lord, if there was an arming for the purpose of -inducing his Majesty to change his measures, would that be a levying of -war? - -_The Lord Chief Baron._--That, gentlemen, would constitute a levying -of war; and, if you believe that it was proved in evidence, it would -support the indictment under the Act of his late Majesty. I put only -the first and third counts to you, gentlemen, not to embarrass the case. - -_The same Juror._--I would wish to consider the whole of the -indictment. I hope your Lordship will excuse my asking these questions. - -_The Lord Chief Baron._--Certainly, gentlemen, it is your province to -consider the whole of the case before you. You have also an undoubted -right to ask any questions you may think necessary. - -The Jury then retired at twenty minutes before four; and in about ten -minutes returned with a verdict of GUILTY on the THIRD and FOURTH -COUNTS. - -The prisoner’s appearance was in no degree altered by the annunciation -of the verdict. He bowed slightly to the Court, and was removed in the -care of two of the gaoler’s assistants. - - - - -TRIAL OF R. TIDD AND W. DAVIDSON. - -SESSIONS-HOUSE, OLD BAILEY. - - -_First Day, Wednesday, April 26, 1820._ - -At ten minutes after nine o’clock, Mr. Baron Garrow, Mr. Justice -Best, and the Common-Serjeant, took their seats on the bench; the -Attorney-General, Mr. Gurney, and Mr. Bolland, and the prisoner’s -counsel, Messrs. Adolphus and Curwood, appeared in Court at the same -time. - -After a short consultation between Mr. Curwood and the -Attorney-General, Mr. Harmer quitted the Court, and proceeded to -commune with the prisoners in the gaol. - -During the absence of Mr. Harmer, Mr. Baron Garrow addressed the -gentlemen who were waiting to be called on as Jurors. “They might,” he -said, “feel some surprise at the delay” and the Bench, therefore, felt -it right to declare that the present interruption was caused entirely -by an application made by the prisoners’ counsel. He hoped that the -Jury would not consider the delay as intended to convey any want of -respect towards them. - -One of the Jurors said, he hoped the Court would allow them to sit -down, as many of them had come a considerable distance to attend the -Court. - -Mr. Baron Garrow said, that the Court felt every disposition to -accommodate, in every possible manner, the gentlemen of the Jury, and -requested them to occupy the seats vacant in the Court. - -Soon afterwards Mr. Harmer returned to Court, and communicated to Mr. -Curwood the result of his conference. - -Mr. Curwood then, addressing Mr. Baron Garrow, stated, that a -proposition, which he had thought for the benefit of his clients, had -been acceded to by them, and that two of them (Tidd and Davidson) were -willing to take their trials at the same time. - -Mr. Baron Garrow then addressed the Jurymen, and said, “Gentlemen, -I may now communicate to you that which it would have been improper -to have made known to you before. The learned gentleman who appears -here for the prisoners, and whose exertions you have witnessed upon -more occasions than one, has thought fit to consult his clients as to -whether it is necessary to pursue the course which has already been -adopted in severing their challenges, or whether two of them might not -take their trial by the same Jury. By this pause we have in effect -saved time, for the two next prisoners have agreed not to sever their -challenges, but to be tried at the same time.” - -The prisoners, Tidd and Davidson, were then put to the bar; Mr. Shelton -called over the list of the Jurors, and after a number of challenges on -both sides, the following Jury was ultimately impanelled-- - -* W. Percy, Cleveland-street, Mary-le-bone, plasterer. -J. G. Holmden, St. James’s-walk, Clerkenwell, fusee-cutter. -J. King, Islington-road, Gent. -C. E. Prescott, Colney-hatch, Esq. -* Benjamin Rogers, Lampton, farmer. -Charles Goldings, Jamaica-place, Limehouse, surveyor. -Charles Page, Crouch-end, Esq. and merchant. -* J. Young, Frederick-place, St. Pancras, Gent. -William Butler, Hounslow, baker. -Joseph Sheffield. -William Churchill. -* Samuel Grainger. - - The Jurors thus marked * had served on some of the previous trials. - -Davidson asked whether the Court would allow him and his -fellow-prisoner to sit down. The Court complied with his request, and -chairs were brought to them. - -Mr. Gurney having stated the case with great clearness and ingenuity, -he proceeded to call the witnesses for the Crown--beginning with, - -ROBERT ADAMS. His evidence was the same as before, with some additions. -He said, that when the proposition was made for assassinating the -Ministers, it was added, that they had found out where they kept their -specie, and that they were to return and plunder it. Bradburn was to -make a box for the purpose of sending Castlereagh’s head to Ireland. - -In cross-examination by Mr. Curwood, he said he came back to the belief -in Christianity about the 24th of February--the day after he was in -marvellous great danger of being hanged. The halter might have had -some effect. It was never lawful in his sight to sweep off fifteen men -in cold blood. He thought it was a cruel act when it was proposed. -Nevertheless, from the 12th of January to the 23d of February, he still -continued to frequent the society in which that matter was debated. -He was once a chairman. The largest body he ever saw collected was in -Cato-street. There was a talk of a great many more, but he did not -know them by name. His single sword was all he agreed to contribute. -He never heard where Mr. Cook’s party were to come from. Nobody -objected to the proclamation written by Thistlewood--“Your tyrants are -destroyed,” _&c._ - -He did not know a man of the name of Chambers, nor did he ever call -upon such a man, and say he would have “wine and blood for supper,” -and solicit him to join in this plot. His object in joining their -parties was, to search further into the principles of Brunt; he joined -them because he had a foolish and curious idea to know what Brunt’s -principles were; and for this reason he joined in this plot. He did not -know a man of the name of Watman. Tidd did not say he had been deceived -in the loft in Cato-street; but he said, “it never can be done.” - -Tidd and Davidson now both expressed a wish to ask the witness some -questions: - -Mr. Baron Garrow humanely interposed, and suggested whether, for their -own advantage, it would not be more consistent with prudence to put -their questions through their Counsel, as they might do something -prejudicial to themselves. - -The prisoners both thanked his Lordship, and communicated to Mr. -Harmer’s clerk, the inquiries which they wished to be made. - -The witness then, in answer to questions put by Mr. Curwood, said, that -he could not say that Davidson was armed in Cato-street; he did not -notice any arms. - -In re-examination by the Solicitor-General, he said that Davidson -brought 500 bullets to Fox-court, on the 22d of February. He had -changed his religion in consequence of reading Paine’s _Age of Reason_, -which was put into his hand by the prisoner Tidd; he did not see Palin, -or Cook, or Potter, in Cato-street; he did not know of what numbers -their parties consisted. - -ELEANOR WALKER, MARY ROGERS, JOSEPH HALE, (apprentice to Brunt), were -then called; they repeated their former testimony as to the presence -of Davidson and Tidd at the meetings in Fox-court. - -Hale, in cross-examination by Mr. Curwood, said, that Edwards was -oftener at the meetings in Fox-court than Adams. - -THOMAS SMART and CHARLES BISSEX, watchmen in Grosvenor-square, were -next called. They were followed by Hector Morrison, servant to Mr. -Underwood, the cutler; Henry Gillan, of Mount-street, Grosvenor-square; -Edward Simpson, James Aldous (pawnbroker), John Monument, and Thomas -Hyden, who communicated the plot to Lord Harrowby. The last witness, in -cross-examination, said, that he had known Wilson for a long time. He -agreed to join in the plot to save himself. One evening at his friend -Clark’s he was accused of not supporting the committee, and Davidson -said, “those that did not come forward would be the men that they would -first murder.” This made him agree to what Wilson said. - -He knew a man named Bennet, but he never did ask him to attend ‘a -private radical meeting.’ He believed, he said, he might speak or not -speak when he was there, as he chose. He did not say “Radical meeting,” -nor did he say that he must take up arms, if he were called upon so to -do; he did not recollect saying so; he had no recollection that he ever -did say so. - -In re-examination, witness said he had been twice at a -shoemakers’-club, where he saw Davidson, Wilson, and Harrison. This -club was held at a public-house, called the Scotch Arms, in a court in -the Strand. He asked Bennet to go there with him, and Clark; that was -four or five or six months ago. - -THOMAS MONUMENT, LORD HARROWBY, and JOHN BAKER, his Lordship’s butler, -were next examined, in confirmation of the former witnesses; and these -were followed by the officers and other persons who were present at -the occurrences in Cato-street, and the subsequent arrest of Brunt and -Thistlewood. - -Tidd, in reference to Ruthven’s evidence, said, that Ruthven, on -searching him, had said, “Curse me, here’s nothing here but a -tobacco-box.” - -Ruthven, on being asked by Mr. Baron Garrow, denied that he had made -use of any such expression. - -The Attorney-General now addressed their Lordships, and stated, “that -the case for the Crown had now been concluded, with the exception of -producing the arms and ammunition found in Cato-street and elsewhere. -As it was now late, (five o’clock) the Court would perhaps defer the -production of these things till the next morning.” - -Mr. Baron Garrow:--“Gentlemen of the Jury, the case for the prosecution -is now closed, all but the production of the arms. If by sitting late -there were any probability of bringing the trial to a close this night, -I should consult you as to the propriety of doing so; but as we cannot -finish it by sitting late, and thereby exhausting ourselves, this is -the best time for adjourning.” - -Davidson stood up and addressed the Court:--“My Lord, as I have been -taken by surprise, I am quite unprepared with my witnesses. I hope you -will allow my wife to see me this night, that notice may be given them -to attend.” - -Mr. Baron Garrow:--“The Court has no power to make any order on the -subject you have mentioned; but I can say that care will be taken that -any proper person may be admitted to you for any proper purpose.” - -The Court then adjourned till nine the next morning. - -Davidson took notes during the day, and frequently sent communications -to his counsel. He conducted himself altogether with great composure -and propriety. He paid close attention, and made his remarks, both -verbally and in writing, without effort or confusion. - -Tidd seemed to have perfect self-possession, but a flush that -occasionally animated his face indicated some hurry and eagerness of -mind. - - -SECOND DAY.--THURSDAY, _April 27, 1820_. - -This morning the Court assembled in pursuance of adjournment, at nine -o’clock. The prisoners, Tidd and Davidson were immediately put to the -bar. They were provided with chairs as on the preceding day. Davidson -had a bible in his hand, which appeared to have been much read, and -in the leaves of which were several marks. He had also a large book -composed of sheets of paper sewn together, in which there appeared to -be a good deal of writing, and in which he occasionally wrote while in -court. - -The arms, ammunition, and other materials of war, found in Cato-street, -and in other places, connected with the machinations of the prisoners, -were brought into court previous to the arrival of the judges. - -The Court having been opened in the customary form, RUTHVEN, the -Bow-street officer, was called, and described the arms and other -articles taken in Cato-street, and on the persons of the prisoners. -These were again separately exhibited to the Jury. - -SAMUEL TAUNTON selected the ball cartridges, hand grenades, -pike, handles, and arms found in the lodgings of Tidd, at -Hole-in-the-wall-passage, Brook’s-market. We have already given their -enumeration. The long sword and carbine, taken from Davidson when he -was apprehended by Ellis and Chapman in Cato-street, as well as the -pistol taken from Tidd, after he had attempted to discharge it at -Lieutenant Fitzclarence, were next produced, and underwent a minute -inspection. - -Sergeant HANSON was next called; he repeated his description of the -fire-balls, and the probable effects which would result from their -being thrown upon buildings. He also explained the nature of the powder -in flannel bags, which, as before, he stated were cartridges for six -pounders. He then opened one of the hand-grenades, and exhibited its -component parts to the Jury. This one was only armed with four large -spike nails, but some of the others which were opened had no less than -twenty-five separate pieces of old iron enfolded within the outer -wrappings of rope-yarn. The large grenade, weighing nearly fourteen -pounds, and constructed in the same way, but upon a larger scale, was -not inspected. - -Mr. Gurney announced that he had closed the evidence on the part of the -Crown. - - -THE DEFENCE. - -Mr. CURWOOD rose to address the Jury on the part of the prisoners. He -said, “that he had now rose for the fourth time, to urge those topics -on behalf of the unfortunate men at the bar, which he had previously -submitted to other Juries in the course of these trials. The force -of those topics remained in his mind undiminished; he was still -conscientiously satisfied, that the charge of high treason in these -cases was alone supported by the testimony of Adams,--a man, the infamy -of whose character ought in his estimation, to deprive him of all -claims to credit.” - -The learned gentleman then went over the different points of the -evidence, and contended with great ingenuity, “that whatever might have -been the diabolical intentions of the prisoners--however ready they -might have been to inflict vengeance on those whom they might suppose -to be the authors of those melancholy transactions, but too frequently -designated as ‘the Manchester Massacre,’--yet, that in all these things -there was nothing in reason or common sense, that could lead to a fair -and rational conclusion that they had it in contemplation either to -compass and imagine the death of the king, or to levy war against the -king. - -“If the Jury, under all the circumstances, entertained with him -this opinion, he had no doubt they would not hesitate to acquit the -prisoners.” - -During the time Mr. Curwood was addressing the Jury, Davidson took -from his pocket a Bible, into several parts of which he inserted small -pieces of paper, for the purpose of enabling him to turn more readily -to certain passages which he intended to quote in his defence. - - -Mr. ADOLPHUS now called the witnesses for the defence. - -MARY BARKER, the daughter of Tidd, deposed, that she knew Edwards and -Adams. Edwards left at her father’s house, about a fortnight before the -affair in Cato-street, a number of grenades and some powder. Adams also -left a very large grenade. They were to be called for again. Edwards -took them once away, and brought them back afterwards. They were taken -away again on the 23d of February by Edwards; and some were brought -back on the morning of the 24th, about a quarter of an hour before the -officers came. She did not know the person by whom they were brought -back. A box remained which had never been opened. - -As the witness left the Court she squeezed her father’s hand. They -both seemed much affected. Tears came into the eyes of Tidd, which he -endeavoured to suppress. The daughter was in an agony of grief. - -THOMAS CHAMBERS deposed, that he lived in Heathcote-court, Strand; -Edwards and Adams repeatedly called upon him. They came together to -his house about a week before the Cato-street business, when Edwards -said, “Won’t you go along with us?” Witness said, “Go where?” when -Edwards answered, “Oh, you must know that there is something on foot.” -He replied, he did not; when Adams said, “We are going to kill his -Majesty’s Ministers, and we shall have blood and wine for supper.” -Edwards said, “By ----, Adams, you’re right.” On the Monday before the -Cato-street business they came again. Edwards brought with him a bag, -which he wished to leave with witness. He asked what it contained; when -Edwards said, “Only some pistols, and things of that sort.” Witness -would not receive it, and they went away. He saw no more of them. - -In cross-examination, witness said, “I believe I have been sworn on -the prayer-book. I never was sworn before above twice; I believe in -Christianity. I was brought up in the Christian faith, and continue -in it. I am no member of any faction. I never saw Paine’s works. I -know the two prisoners. Davidson I know since the time of Mr. Hunt’s -procession. Tidd I have known only in the trade. I cannot say how -long; I might have known him at the Smithfield Meeting, and elsewhere. -I attended all the meetings held in the open air. I scorn all secret -meetings. I know Thistlewood, Ings, Harrison, Strange, and Bradburn. -I carried banners in some of the processions. I carried no weapons. -Thistlewood has been repeatedly at my house. I took all the flags to my -house. I saw him also at the Black Dog, in Gray’s Inn-lane. I used to -frequent the White Lion, in Wych-street; I went to attend the meetings -there. They called themselves Reformers. I was always in the waggons -with Hunt. When I refused to go with Adams and Edwards to kill his -Majesty’s Ministers, I did not think they would ever get any persons to -be so foolish as to join them. I may be a great fool, but not foolish -enough to enter into such a scheme. I did not communicate the project -to any magistrate. I never heard any thing said against his Majesty’s -Ministers, more than what I saw in the newspapers. I do not read -Paine’s works; I only read Cobbett, and have a drawer full of them. I -also read the Prayer-book and Bible.” - -JOHN BENNETT deposed, that he knew Hyden; he called on him to ask -him to accompany him to a private radical meeting. He endeavoured to -persuade him to go more than ten times. He told him, that he might hear -and see what was doing; but he need not speak unless he liked. - -Several witnesses were now called to the general character of the -prisoners. - -Mr. COOK, of Charlotte-street, Blackfriars’-road, knew Davidson six -years ago; he then worked for him, and was an industrious hard-working -man. He had not known much of him since. - -Mr. M’WILLIAM, an architect, knew Davidson at Aberdeen, in the years -1800 and 1801; he was then studying mathematics; he had only seen him -three or four times since in the streets, and was surprised to have -been called on to give him a character. Davidson was, at the time he -was at Aberdeen, an apprentice to a cabinet-maker. He had been at -college, and had, in Mr. M’William’s estimation, “a gigantic mind.” - -STEPHEN HALE, WILLIAM FRENCH, and SAMUEL LANDS, spoke to the general -correctness of the conduct of Tidd in private life. He was an honest, -industrious, hard-working man, and apparently much attached to his -family. Other witnesses were expected, but did not attend. - -Mr. ADOLPHUS addressed the Jury on behalf of the prisoners. His speech -was marked by an acute examination of the whole of the evidence, a just -and forcible reprobation of the atrocity of a betraying accomplice, and -an energetic and powerful appeal to the Jury, not to condemn men on the -evidence of an avowed conspirator, who had broken the bonds of society, -forfeited his allegiance to his Sovereign, and his duty to God. The -learned gentleman, in the course of a very eloquent speech of an hour -and a half, remarked that it would be the last time he should appear on -these trials. - - -_Baron Garrow_ then addressed the prisoner as follows:--“William -Davidson, the law of England, in its excessive tenderness to persons -indicted for high treason, has allowed them privileges of defence not -extended to other cases. If, therefore, in addition to the able defence -of your Counsel, you wish to say any thing, now is the time. Do it -deliberately, and the Court will hear you attentively.” - -_Davidson_ then rose, greatly agitated, and spoke nearly as -follows:--“I am much obliged to your Lordship, and will call your -attention to a few particulars in this instance. My Lord, from my -life up, I have always maintained the character of an industrious and -inoffensive man. I have no friends in England, but have always depended -upon my own exertions for support. I have an extensive family, and for -their sake alone is my life a value to me. - -“The charge which has been brought against me, I can lay my hand upon -my heart, and, in the presence of that God whom I revere, say I am not -guilty of. Concerning how I came in possession of the blunderbuss I -will state. I had a friend, whose name is Williamson, who told me he -had bought an old blunderbuss, which was all over rust. He was going to -the Cape of Good Hope, and gave it to me to clean. - -“I have been doing business for myself for the last five years, and -that is the reason I cannot bring any more of my employers than Mr. -Cook to speak in my behalf. To Mr. Edwards I owe being brought into -this situation. I never knew any thing of him till I attended Mr. -Hunt’s procession; that was the first time I ever went into public -in my life. Mr. Edwards told me that he would take me to a place to -have this blunderbuss raffled for. When I went to the place, I there -saw Mr. Thistlewood for the second time; I had previously seen him at -Mr. Hunt’s dinner. I saw Mr. Adams there also, but I knew none of the -others. Mr. Edwards proposed to commence raffling for the blunderbuss; -but, as they did not put down any money, I would not agree. I then -heard a great deal of improper language, and would not stop. - -“I went to Mr. Williamson, who was waiting to know the result, and told -him what had passed. He then said that he wanted to get some money, and -I proposed pledging the blunderbuss with a pawnbroker. He agreed, and -requested me to take it for him. I did so, and got seven shillings upon -it from Mr. Aldous, who knew me. The money I gave to Mr. Williamson. -I afterwards went to see Mr. Williamson on board the Belle Alliance, -which was about to sail for the Cape. He made me a present of the -ticket. - -“On the 22d of February, Edwards called upon me, and told me that he -had been to see Mr. Williamson, and that he had given him an order to -get the ticket for the blunderbuss. I said very well, and consented -to go and get it out of pledge for him, as, he said, he was to get -ten shillings by it, part of which I was to have, and he gave seven -shillings and two-pence for that purpose. He told me to meet him at the -corner of Oxford-street, which I did; when he said he would take me to -Fox-court, where there was a countryman of mine; a man of colour he -meant. I objected to going. - -“My Lord, I never associated with men of colour, although one myself, -because I always found them very ignorant. - -“I now pass over to the sword concern; I shall state the truth. On -a Monday after the Manchester massacre, I met a person of the name -of George Goldworthy, to whom I had been apprentice in Liverpool; he -expressed his surprise at seeing me in London; I told him I was out of -employment, and that there was nothing worse than being a small master, -as all the rest of the trade, from jealousy, set their face against me; -he said he had a little business of his own in the country, and that he -would employ me if I would go. I agreed to go at 30_s._ a week. He then -appointed me to meet him at a house he called the Horse and Groom, in -John-street, Edgware-road, on the Wednesday following. All this time I -did not know that Goldworthy was an acquaintance of Edwards’s, but he -was. - -“On Wednesday evening accordingly I went to the Horse and Groom. I -looked into the house, but did not see Goldworthy. I stopped at the -corner to wait for him, my lord, which your lordship and gentlemen must -well know I being a conspicuous character would not have done, if I -was about any thing improper. I saw Adams there; but I went on to walk -a little further. On my return I saw several persons going in and out -of the house, but still Goldworthy did not come. A little after eight -o’clock, while I was in the Edgeware-road, up came Goldworthy. He asked -me if I was not surprised he had not come. I said I was. He then said -he was going to call upon a friend, and gave me a sword, which he said -he carried for self-protection against thieves about the country. - -“At this time I had not the least intention of any thing directly or -indirectly concerning the business in Cato-street. I went down the -street accidentally, and hearing two or three pistols fired, I went to -see what was the matter. I never was afraid of any man. I then heard a -cry of “Stop thief!” and I was seized and taken to gaol. I never drew -the cutlass nor offered to strike; but gave myself up quietly. - -“I have ventured my life fifteen times for my country and my King, and -ask you, gentlemen, if you think it possible that I should be so vain -as to attempt to join a few weak men to trample down that well-founded -constitution, in which this country has so much reason to glory? I -would scorn such an act--and I solemnly protest there was nothing found -on me but the sword which I received from Goldworthy, and a little -block. - -“It was said, that I said ‘I would die for liberty’s cause,’ and that I -was searched in a public house; this is not true; and if the landlord -was here he would prove the contrary. I know nothing at all of the plot -in Cato-street, directly or indirectly. I know nothing of a plot to -plunder--to burn houses--or to massacre the Ministers. I did not know -that any such plot was in existence. - -“I will now, my Lords and Gentlemen, give you an instance where one -man of colour may be mistaken for another--as must have been my case. -Whenever I had any leisure time I employed it as a teacher in a -Sunday-school: there a similar mistake was made. A person, a man of -colour, insulted one of the female teachers at Walworth. The young lady -said it was me, and I found I was slighted, although nothing was said. -I sent in my resignation, when the gentlemen waited upon me in a body, -and stated what had been alleged to my charge. I was so confounded, -that I could not say any thing, and let them go away without making any -defence. I afterwards, however, set myself to work, and actually found -the man who had committed the offence, made him acknowledge it, and beg -the young lady’s pardon. The young lady could not look me in the face, -knowing how she had injured me, but held out her hand as a token of her -regret. - -“Now, my lord and gentlemen, this shows how one man may be mistaken -for another. I would as lieve be put to death as suppose that you, my -lord, or the gentlemen of the crown, should think me capable, for one -moment, of harbouring a thought to massacre any person whatever.” (Here -the prisoner applied for a glass of water, which was handed to him.) -“Although I am a man of colour, that is no reason that I should be -guilty of such a crime. My colour may be against me, but I have as good -and as fair a heart as if I were a white. - -“I have a very few words more to say. I have a very numerous family, -and a wife that never earned me a penny in her life. All my distress -arose from the consideration of the helpless situation of my family. -Were it not for that, I would not care what became of me. Like Isaiah -it may be said of me, ‘He was persecuted, yet he opened not his mouth.’ -As a father, I wish to discharge my duty,--for them I wish to live--and -for their sakes I wish, if possible, to clear up the black charge which -has been brought against me. - -“First of all, Mr. Adams positively swore that he had not seen me in -the loft, and that I was down stairs; and then comes Mr. Monument, -who said that I addressed the congregation, and told those that were -afraid of their lives to walk out. They must see that this was an -exaggeration, and in fact altogether an invention, or would not both -of these men who were present at the same time have agreed in the same -story? I admit that I was in Cato-street; but even admitting this, what -does it amount to? - -“I now very well know that Mr. Goldworthy was an accomplice of Edwards, -and it is clear that by these persons, for purposes best known to -themselves, I was entrapped into this snare. As for myself, my Lord, -I have served my country, and done all that I could do for it. I -have supported my family by honest industry, and I never directly -or indirectly associated with any persons at public places. I never -attended any meeting but as a common spectator. - -“I know nothing of these men (Tidd and the other prisoners). I have no -knowledge of their plots; I do not blame the gentlemen of the crown for -the manner in which they have conducted this case; because they have -done no more than their duty, according to the evidence which has been -brought before them; but I say, the witnesses, as far as regards me, -are altogether false sworn. I have selected a few passages from the -Bible, which I wish to read on this subject, and these I offer, not for -the purpose of insulting the court. The indictment charges that I did -certain things ‘not having the fear of God before my eyes, but having -been instigated by the devil.’ Now, I always had the fear of God before -me, and always cherished the feelings of virtue and humanity. I always -subscribed to the beautiful lines of Mr. Pope:-- - - - “If I am right, thy grace impart, - Still in the right to stay; - If I am wrong, oh! teach my heart, - To find that better way. - - Teach me to feel another’s woe; - To hide the fault I see: - The mercy I to others show, - That mercy show to me.” - - -“The verses from this sacred Book, which I think applicable to my case -on the present occasion, are these:-- - - - ‘One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, - for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two - witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be - established. - - ‘If a false witness rise up against any man, to testify against - him that which is wrong; - - ‘Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand - before the Lord, before the priests and the judges which shall be - in those days. - - ‘And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and behold, if - the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against - his brother; - - ‘Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto - his brother; so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. - - ‘And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth - commit no more any such evil among you. - - ‘And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for - eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.’ - - -“These words, gentlemen of the Jury, I wish to impress on your minds. - -“I am a stranger to England by birth; but I was educated and brought -up in England; my father was an Englishman, my grandfather was a -Scotchman; I may too claim the prerogative of an Englishman, from -having been in the country from my infancy,--still I have not a friend -in England,--I have not a relative who will stretch out his hand to my -helpless family. Then will you not think it hard to have my life taken -away for a scene of intended iniquity, of which I know nothing. To have -me torn from the bosom of her whom I lived but to cherish,--to have -me exposed to the ruthless knife of the executioner, while my innocent -starving babes seek in vain for consolation. - -[Illustration: - -_Wivell Del^t._ _Cooper Sculp._ - -RICHARD TIDD.] - -“Gentlemen, when I think of this, it unmans me. I am no plotter--no -assassin--no traitor! Look well to the evidence, and to your own -hearts, before you pronounce the fatal verdict of ‘Guilty.’ - -“Gentlemen, the Earl of Harrowby I have known for years; I worked on -his Lordship’s estate in Staffordshire. Gentlemen, I knew him but to -respect him;--and yet it is suggested that I could raise the dagger of -the murderer to his breast.--Forbid it providence! Had I known that -this plot existed, I would have been the first to warn his Lordship -of his danger; but I declare solemnly that I knew not of such an -intention. I knew nothing of all these dark and bloody projects. - -“Gentlemen, I have now done. I repeat, I will readily submit to death -if you think me capable of harbouring an intention to commit the crime -of high treason. If that is your persuasion, pronounce your verdict -accordingly. I hope my death may prove useful to my country,--for still -England I call thee so,--and I trust that those by whom I shall be -condemned, may lay down their lives with as clear a conscience.” - -BARON GARROW, then addressed Tidd as follows:--“Richard Tidd, do you -wish to add any thing to what your counsel has stated for you? If you -do, this is the proper time.” - -TIDD rose, and said, in a meek and humble voice, “The first thing I -have got to say is, that I had the misfortune to get acquainted with -Brunt about a month before Christmas, by his frequently going to see -Adams, who was living next door to me; our windows joined; by that -means I became acquainted with him. - -“During the Christmas holidays, we kept them together; after the -holidays, I was introduced to Edwards, who does not now appear -against me; he was constantly coming to me afterwards; I always was a -hard-working man, working sixteen and eighteen hours a day. I never -had any time to spare, except on a Sunday. Messrs. Edwards and Brunt -together told me that there were certain meetings going on. - -“I never attended any meeting after the acts to prevent illegal -meetings, till Edwards told me that he had authority to state from -persons high in rank, that meetings might take place to procure reform -in Parliament. I was then introduced to a room, where I was taken to, -in Brunt’s house. I did not see there any thing particular, till the -Sunday when I was proposed to take the chair. - -“Certain propositions were then made, which made me declare I would -never more attend such meetings, and I fully determined that I would -not keep company with them afterwards. Prior to this Edwards came up -to my house, and said, that he had got certain materials, and Mr. -Thistlewood would be obliged to me if I would let them remain in my -house. I said, I would allow no such thing. He then went away, but -in the evening he came and brought the things, which the officers -afterwards seized. - -“On Tuesday, Edwards and Brunt came to me, and asked me if I kept to my -determination--they added, that all the proceedings that were going on -were entirely flustered; they then said there was to be a meeting of -the Mary-le-bone Union, and asked me to go. - -“Edwards said, every body going there for self-preservation took a -weapon of defence. I told him I had none; he said, if I had not, the -club would supply me with one; he then pulled out a pistol, and said, -you ought to arm yourself now. - -“He also had a sword-stick, which he offered me. He afterwards gave -me a direction where the meeting was to be held. I have it now in -my pocket.”--[Here the prisoner produced a small piece of paper, -on which was written these words:--‘Horse and Groom, John-street, -Edgeware-road.’] - -Tidd then went on. “During Wednesday, while I was at work, Edwards and -Brunt came to me, and said there was some people I must bring to the -club. I afterwards took Monument, but I do declare before you I never -knew any thing about a cabinet-dinner. It was never mentioned to me. I -was introduced into the stable, and in ten minutes after the officers -came in and apprehended me. - -“This is all I have to say, and you may depend I have told the truth.” - - -The _Attorney-General_ rose to reply, and proceeded to point out the -various instances in which the evidence of Adams had been confirmed: -it was confirmed by Monument, who had not been deeply concerned in -the plot; but it was much more strongly confirmed by Hyden, who was -no accomplice, and who was in every way worthy of belief. There was, -he contended, a compleat chain of evidence, to prove that there was a -conspiracy to overturn the government: and if they believed that the -two prisoners at the bar took a prominent part in it, they could have -no hesitation as to the verdict they should give. - -Mr. _Baron Garrow_, proceeded to deliver his charge to the Jury. He -went over the whole of the evidence, and commented on all the material -parts of it in a most perspicuous manner. While his lordship was -reading over the evidence of Monument, the prisoner Davidson caused a -written paper to be conveyed to him, and said he hoped it might be -read as a part of his defence, which he had before forgot to notice. -The learned Judge observed, that although it was not strictly regular -to comply with the prisoner’s request in the present stage of the -business, yet he was ready to allow him to make any statement which -might be of use to him. The statement was, that his (Davidson’s) house -had been searched, and nearly pulled down, and not the slightest -evidence was there found which went to show that he had been guilty of -any conspiracy. - -After his Lordship had read over the evidence of Hyden, he said it was -the most important of any that had been given to the Court, because -the conspiracy had been communicated to him by one of the parties, -who invited him to assist in it; and because he went immediately and -communicated to Lord Harrowby the danger which ministers were in. He -pretended to show a readiness to join the conspirators, but he never -did join them; and one reason for not refusing to take a part in the -plot was, a threat held out that any man who did not join would be put -to death. - -“The learned counsel for the prisoners had endeavoured to throw some -discredit on this witness, on the ground of his being an accomplice; -but there was not the slightest ground for such a supposition; nor -did it appear to him that the slightest inroad had been made on his -testimony. On the contrary, he ought to be considered as an instrument -in the hands of Providence in saving fifteen of the first men in the -country, and perhaps many others, from destruction; and all persons -then present in Court, ought to consider themselves indebted to him. - -“Here it was clearly in evidence, that the intention of the -conspirators was to murder the most respectable and virtuous characters -in the kingdom; and that not content with that, they were to destroy -the house of the Bishop of London, one of the most amiable men in the -kingdom, who of all other men in the world was the least likely to give -offence to any body. - -“What then could be their motive for all these unprovoked atrocities, -but the ulterior object of revolution? If plunder was their object, -where were the implements in which they were to carry away their -plunder? What necessity was there to add murder to their offence? What -occasion had they for a box full of ball cartridges? What was their -object in all this, but the ulterior object of effecting a revolution? -The usual argument of inadequacy of means had been used on this -occasion; and it was said, nothing certainly could be more preposterous -than to suppose a revolution could be effected by such contemptible -means; but it was proved, that a plan had been formed--that a band of -ruffians, reeking with the blood of the most illustrious men in the -kingdom, had intended to overturn the government, by stirring up the -people to insurrection. - -“Such men as these might imagine that the object could be effectual, -without ever considering the adequacy of the means. Before the -commencement of the French Revolution, the first beginnings were -as contemptible as this; and every body knew the vast extent and -the wide-spreading desolation, by which these small beginnings were -followed.” - -After a variety of other observations, all tending to show that the -evidence of the accomplices was confirmed in various instances by -credible witnesses, particularly by Joseph Hale, the apprentice of -Brunt; and by Hyden, the cow-keeper, who was no party in the plot, and -who acted honestly and conscientiously, his Lordship concluded his -charge. - -The Jury then retired, and after an absence of forty minutes, returned -with a verdict of “GUILTY UPON THE THIRD COUNT,” with the exception -of the eighth and tenth overt-acts. The count in question alleged a -conspiracy to levy war. - - -At the conclusion of the trial of Tidd and Davidson, - -Mr. CURWOOD addressed the Court, intimating a desire, on the part -of James Wilson, to withdraw his plea of misnomer to the indictment -against him for high treason, and to plead “Guilty,” and the -Attorney-General stating that he had no objection to this course, - -James Wilson was put to the bar, and, on being questioned by Mr. -Shelton, pleaded Guilty. - - -Mr. WALFORD then said, he was instructed to make a similar tender on -the part of the five remaining prisoners, and - -Mr. BARON GARROW directed the prisoners to be brought to the bar. - -John Harrison, Richard Bradburn, John Shaw Strange, James Gilchrist, -and Charles Cooper, were then brought into the Court, and - -Mr. Walford again addressed his lordship, and said that he had watched, -with great diligence, the whole of these proceedings, and from what -had passed under his observation, he thought he should best consult -the interests of the five unhappy men at the bar, for whom, with his -learned friend (Mr. Broderick), he was counsel, by recommending them to -acknowledge the deepness of their offending, and to throw themselves on -the leniency of their Sovereign, who, he was persuaded, would follow -the steps of his revered father, by tempering justice with mercy. - -Mr. BRODERICK said, he too had watched with the most anxious solicitude -the progress of the trials which had taken place upon this indictment, -and he felt satisfied that he could not better consult the interests -of the prisoners, than by adopting the course suggested by his -learned friend. These unfortunate men were desirous of making the -only reparation in their power to the offended laws of their country, -by acknowledging their guilt. They did not ask for mercy, but they -entertained a hope that their contrition would have the desired effect, -and would induce an extension towards them of that brightest attribute -in the person of the Sovereign. - -Mr. BARON GARROW then explained to the prisoners the situation in which -they stood, and that their plea must be received without any pledge -on his part, and with a full understanding that they were to receive -judgment to die. - -They all expressed their concurrence in what had been said by their -counsel, and, having withdrawn their previous plea of _Not Guilty_, -they pleaded _Guilty_, and were removed from the bar; and the gentlemen -of the Jury were dismissed with the thanks of their country. - - -SENTENCE OF DEATH. - -The following morning, Friday April 28th, at a quarter after nine, Lord -Chief-Justice Abbot, Chief Justice Dallas, the Chief Baron, Mr. Justice -Richards, Mr. Justice Best, and the Common Sergeant, took their seats. - -Mr. Brown, the gaoler, was immediately requested to bring the prisoners -to the bar. In a few minutes the clank of chains was heard, and the -eleven prisoners entered the court. They were all double ironed, -with the exception of Ings, who had been much indisposed since his -conviction. Thistlewood came first, and advanced to the bar. There was -a melancholy resignation in his countenance, and his appearance was -considerably altered since the last time of his being in Court. - -All being in readiness, - -Mr. Shelton (the clerk of the arraigns), addressing himself to -Thistlewood, said, - -“Arthur Thistlewood, you stand convicted of High Treason;--what have -you say why you should not receive judgment to die, according to law?” - -THISTLEWOOD immediately drew forth a manuscript address, which he -proceeded to read in a mournful tone, as follows:-- - -“My Lords,--I am asked, my Lord, what I have to say that judgment of -death should not be passed upon me according to law. This to me is -mockery--for were the reasons I could offer incontrovertible, and -were they enforced even by the eloquence of a Cicero, still would the -vengeance of my Lords Castlereagh and Sidmouth be satiated only in the -purple stream which circulates through a heart more enthusiastically -vibrating to every impulse of patriotism and honour, than that of any -of those privileged traitors to their country, who lord it over the -lives and property of the sovereign people with barefaced impunity. - -“The reasons which I have, however, I will now state--not that I -entertain the slightest hope from your sense of justice or from your -pity. The former is swallowed up in your ambition, or rather by the -servility you descend to, to obtain the object of that ambition--the -latter I despise. Justice I demand. If I am denied it, your pity is no -equivalent. In the first place, - -“I protest against the proceedings upon my trial, which I conceive to -be grossly partial, and contrary to the very spirit of justice,--but, -alas! the judges, who have heretofore been considered the counsel of -the accused, are now, without exception, in all cases between the Crown -and the People, the most implacable enemies of the latter. In every -instance, the Judges charge the Jury to find the subject guilty; nay, -in one instance, the Jury received a reprimand, and that not in the -gentlest terms, for not strictly obeying the imperious mandate from the -bench. - -“The Court decided upon my trial to commit murder rather than depart, -in the slightest degree, from its usual forms. Nay, it is with me -a question, if the form is usual which precluded me from examining -witnesses to prove the infamy of Adams, of Hyden, and of Dwyer. ’Ere -the Solicitor-General replied to the address of my Counsel, I applied -to the Court to hear my witnesses. The Court inhumanly refused, and I -am in consequence to be consigned to the scaffold. - -“Numerous have been the instances in which this rule of Court has been -infringed; but to have infringed it in my case, would have been to -incur the displeasure of the Court, and to forfeit every aspiring hope -of promotion. - -“A few hours hence and I shall be no more; but the nightly breeze which -will whistle over the silent grave that shall protect me from its -keenness, will bear to your restless pillow the memory of one who lived -but for his country,--and died when liberty and justice had been driven -from its confines by a set of villains, whose thirst for blood is only -to be equalled by their activity in plunder. - -“For life, as it respects myself, I care not; but, while yet I may, I -would rescue my memory from the calumny which, I doubt not, will be -industriously heaped upon it, when it will be no longer in my power to -protect it. - -“I would explain the motives which induced me to conspire against the -Ministers of his Majesty; and I would contrast them with those which -these very ministers have acted upon in leading me to my ruin. To do -this, it will be necessary to take a short review of my life, for a -few months prior to my arrest for the offence for which I am to be -executed without a trial, or, at least, without an impartial one by a -jury of my peers. - -“’Tis true, the form, the etiquette of a trial has been gone through; -but I challenge any of the Judges on the bench to tell me--to tell my -country--that justice was not denied me in the very place where justice -only should have been administered. I challenge them to say that I was -fairly tried. I challenge them to say if I am not murdered according to -the etiquette of a Court (falsely denominated) of Justice. - -“I had witnesses in Court to prove that Dwyer was a villain, beyond -all example of atrocity.--I had witnesses in Court to prove that Adams -was a notorious swindler, and that Hyden was no better.--These were -the three witnesses--indeed, almost the only ones--against me.--But -the form and rules of Court must not be infringed upon, to save an -unfortunate individual from the scaffold. - -“I called those witnesses at the close of Mr. Adolphus’s address to the -Jury, and before the Solicitor-General commenced his reply; but the -Court decided that they could not be heard. - -“Some good men have thought--and I have thought so too--that before -the Jury retired, all evidence was in time, for either the prosecutor -or the accused; and more particularly for the latter; nay, even before -the verdict was given, that evidence could not be considered too late. -Alas! such people drew their conclusion from principles of justice -only; they never canvassed the rules of Court, which have finally -settled my unhappy doom! - -“Many people who are acquainted with the barefaced manner in which I -was plundered by my Lord Sidmouth, will, perhaps, imagine that personal -motives instigated me to the deed; but I disclaim them. My every -principle was for the prosperity of my country. My every feeling--the -height of my ambition--was the welfare of my starving countrymen. I -keenly felt for their miseries; but, when their miseries were laughed -at, and when, because they dared to express those miseries, they were -cut down by hundreds, barbarously massacred, and trampled to death; -when infants were sabred in their mother’s arms, and the breast, from -which they drew the tide of life, was severed from the parent’s body, -my feelings became too intense, too excessive for endurance, and I -resolved on vengeance--I resolved that the lives of the instigators -should be a requiem to the souls of the murdered innocents. - -“In this mood I met with George Edwards. And if any doubt should -remain upon the minds of the public, whether the deed I meditated was -virtuous, or contrary, the tale I will now relate will convince them -that, in attempting to exercise a power which the law had ceased to -have, I was only wreaking national vengeance on a set of wretches -unworthy the name or character of men. - -“This Edwards, poor and pennyless, lived near Picket-street, in the -Strand, some time ago, without a bed to lie upon, or a chair to sit in. -Straw was his bed--his only covering a blanket; but, owing to his bad -character, and his swindling conduct, he was driven even from thence by -his landlord. - -“It is not my intention trace him through his immorality. Suffice it to -say that he was, in every sense of the word, a villain of the deepest -atrocity. His landlord refused to give him a character. - -“Some short time after this he called upon his landlord again--but mark -the change in his appearance. Dressed like a lord, in all the folly -of the reigning fashion, he now described himself as the right heir -to a German Baron, who had been some time dead, and stated that Lords -Castlereagh and Sidmouth had acknowledged his claims to the title and -property, had interfered in his behalf with the German government, -and supplied him with money to support his rank in society. From this -period I date his career as a Government Spy. - -“He procured an introduction to the Spenceans--by what means I am not -aware of--and thus he became acquainted with the Reformers in general. - -“When I met with Edwards after the massacre at Manchester, he described -himself as very poor; and, after several interviews, he proposed a -plan for blowing up the House of Commons. This was not my view: I -wished to punish the guilty only, and therefore I declined it. He next -proposed that we should attack the Ministers at the _fête_ given by the -Spanish Ambassador. This I resolutely opposed, because the innocent -would perish with the guilty;--besides, there were ladies invited to -the entertainment--and I, who am shortly to ascend to the scaffold, -shuddered with horror at the idea of that, a sample of which had -previously been given by the Agents of Government at Manchester, and -which the Ministers of his Majesty applauded. - -“Edwards was ever at invention; and at length he proposed attacking -them at a cabinet-dinner. I asked, where were the means to carry his -project into effect? He replied, if I would accede, we should not want -for means. He was as good as his word: from him came, notwithstanding -his apparent penury, the money provided for purchasing the stores which -your Lordships have seen produced in Court upon my trial. - -“He who was never possessed of money to pay for a pint of beer, -had always plenty to purchase arms or ammunition. Amongst the -conspirators, he was ever the most active;--ever inducing people to -join him, up to the last hour ere the undertaking was discovered. - -“I had witnesses in Court who could prove they went to Cato-street by -appointment with Edwards, with no other knowledge or motive than that -of passing an evening amongst his friends. - -“I could also have proved that subsequent to the fatal transaction, -when we met in Holborn, he endeavoured to induce two or three of my -companions to set fire to houses and buildings in various parts of the -metropolis. - -“I could prove that subsequent to that again, he endeavoured to induce -men to throw hand-grenades into the carriages of ministers as they -passed through the streets; and yet this man, the contriver, the -instigator, the entrapper, is screened from justice and from exposure, -by those very men who seek vengeance against the victims of his and -their villany. - -“To the Attorney and Solicitor-General I cannot impute the clearest -motives. Their object seems to me to have been rather to obtain a -verdict against me, than to obtain a full and fair exposition of the -whole affair since its commencement. If their object was justice alone, -why not bring forward Edwards as a witness, if not as an accomplice; -but no, they knew that by keeping Edwards in the background, my -proofs--aye, my incontrovertible proofs of his being a hired spy, the -suggestor and promoter--must, according to the rules of court, also be -excluded. - -“Edwards and his accomplices arranged matters in such a manner as that -his services might be dispensed with on the trial, and thus were the -Jury cut off from every chance of ascertaining the real truth. Adams, -Hyden, and Dwyer, were the agents of Edwards, and truly he made a most -admirable choice, for their invention seems to be inexhaustible. - -“With respect to the immorality of our project, I will just observe, -that the assassination of a tyrant has always been deemed a meritorious -action. Brutus and Cassius were lauded to the very skies for slaying -Cæsar; indeed, when any man, or any set of men, place themselves above -the laws of their country, there is no other means of bringing them -to justice than through the arm of a private individual. If the laws -are not strong enough to prevent them from murdering the community, it -becomes the duty of every member of that community to rid his country -of its oppressors. - -“High treason was committed against the people at Manchester, but -justice was closed against the mutilated, the maimed, and the friends -of those who were upon that occasion indiscriminately massacred. The -Sovereign, by the advice of his Ministers, thanked the murderers, while -yet reeking in the blood of their hapless victims! If one spark of -honour--if one spark of patriotism--had still glimmered in the breasts -of Englishmen, they would have risen to a man--for Insurrection then -became a public duty--and the _Blood of the Slain_ should have been the -watchword to vengeance on their murderers. The banner of independence -should have floated in the gale that brought the tidings of their -wrongs and their sufferings to the metropolis!--Such, however, was -not the case, and Albion is still in the chains of slavery--I quit it -without regret--I shall soon be consigned to the grave--my body will be -immured beneath the soil whereon I first drew breath. My only sorrow -is, that the soil should be a theatre for slaves, for cowards, for -despots. - -“My motives, I doubt not, will hereafter be justly appreciated. I will -therefore now conclude by stating, that I shall consider myself as -murdered, if I am to be executed on the verdict obtained against me, by -the refusal of the court to hear my evidence. - -[Illustration: - -_Wivell Del^t._ _Cooper Sculp._ - -WILLIAM DAVIDSON.] - -“I could have proved Dwyer to be a villain of the blackest dye, for, -since my trial, an accomplice of his, named Arnold, has been capitally -convicted at this very bar, for obtaining money under circumstances of -an infamous nature. - -“I seek not pity--I demand but justice:--I have not had a fair trial, -and, upon that ground, I protest that judgment ought not to be passed -against me.” - - -It is impossible to describe the feelings of horror and disgust -which pervaded the mind of every individual in the court during the -delivery of this most treasonable and ferocious harangue.--It was of -course expected that the wretched criminals would offer something -in extenuation of the crimes of which they had been convicted, but -it could never have been conceived that any man existed so deeply -depraved, and so dreadfully hardened in crime, as to venture to justify -projects of assassination, and to propagate doctrines of treason and -murder, while standing as it were on the very brink of eternity, and -about to be ushered into the presence of that God whom he had braved, -by the impious and inhuman declarations to which he had just given -utterance. - -Mr. Shelton next addressed himself to DAVIDSON, and put to him the same -question which he had put to Thistlewood. Davidson advanced, and spoke -to the following effect: - -“My Lords, you ask me what I have to say why I should not receive -judgment to die for what has been said against me? I answer that I -protest against the proceedings in this trial in toto. - -“In the first place, I always thought that in a court of justice the -balance of justice was held with an even hand. But this has not been -the case with me; I stand here helpless and friendless. I endeavoured -to shew that the evidence against me was contradictory and incredible, -and I hoped I had made an impression on the gentlemen in the box; but -the moment I was done, the Attorney-General got up, and told them that -the evidence was pure and uncontaminated, and to this I may add, that -Mr. Baron Garrow almost insisted that they should pronounce me guilty. - -“I would ask, has any person identified me but the officers? who, every -one knows, have at all times been instrumental in the death of innocent -persons. - -“I do not now plead for my life; I know I must fall a victim to the -vengeance of my enemies. But in what manner have I been guilty of High -Treason? It would seem I was a silent spectator; none of the witnesses -impute to me a single observation. Now is this probable? I had always -got a great deal to say for myself, consequently I was not the person -who would stand by without uttering a word; and yet such has been the -testimony of Adams. - -“Then, with regard to the blunderbuss;--I have already explained that -this was not mine, and that I acted in that affair entirely as the -agent of Edwards. I have also declared how I came by the sword, and I -now declare upon my soul, which will shortly appear before its Maker, -that I never made any blow at any man, or discharged any carbine. - -“As for Munday, the man who swore that I had a long sword, with a pair -of pistols in my girdle, who is he? He is a poor labouring man who -comes here for his day’s pay and his victuals, to swear away the life -of a fellow creature, and to support the unfounded charge against me -that I meant to assassinate his Majesty’s Ministers. - -“I appeal to any man, whether it is upon such evidence the life of an -innocent man is to be sacrificed? But even supposing, for the sake of -argument, that the lives of his Majesty’s Ministers were threatened, -it did not follow that this was to extend to the King himself. - -“In a passage of Magna Charta, it was ordained that twenty-five barons -should be nominated to see that the terms of the charter were not -infringed; and, if it was found that his Majesty’s Ministers were -guilty of such infringement, then four barons were to call upon them -for redress. If this were not granted, then the four barons were -to return to their brethren, by whom the people were to be called -together to take up arms, and assert their rights. Such an act was not -considered in old times as an act of treason towards the king, however -hostile it might be towards his ministers. But this does not apply to -me. - -“I had no intention of joining in any scheme whatever, either to put -down my King, or to murder his Ministers. I was entrapped by Goldworthy -and Edwards, in order for some private purposes of their own, that they -might have my life sworn away. - -“I have no objection to tender my life in the service of my country; -but let me at least, for the sake of my children, save my character -from the disgrace of dying a traitor. For my children only do I feel, -and when I think of them I am deprived of utterance--I can say no more.” - - -JAMES INGS was next asked what he had to say, why he should not receive -judgment to die? He replied-- - -“I have very little to say. My abilities will not allow me to speak. -If Mr. Edwards had not got acquainted with me I should not be here. -He came to me, unfortunately when I had no business, nor no means of -getting a livelihood for my family. I entered into the conspiracy only -through him; and it was only necessity, and the want of the means to -support my wife and family that brought me here. - -“It is only through Edwards that I shall lose my life. I do not mind -dying, if you will let that man come forward, and die with me on the -scaffold. It was through him that I was going to do that which, I must -allow, was of a most disgraceful and inhuman nature. - -“On the other hand, his Majesty’s Ministers conspire together, and -impose laws to starve me and my family and fellow-countrymen; and if I -was going to assassinate these Ministers, I do not see that it is so -bad as starvation, in my opinion, my Lord. - -“There is another thing, my Lord. A meeting was called at Manchester, -under the protection of the law of England, for which our forefathers -died, and which King John signed in the open air. This meeting was -called under the protection of that law, for the people to petition -parliament to give them their rights; but, previous to the business of -the meeting, the Manchester yeomanry rode in among them, and cut down -men, women, and children, in a manner that was a disgrace to the very -name of Englishmen. These yeomen had their swords ground beforehand; -and I had a sword ground also: but I do not see any harm in that. - -“I shall suffer, no doubt; but I hope my children will live to see -justice done to their bleeding country. I would rather die like a man -than live like a slave. I am sorry I have not the power, gentlemen, to -say more; I shall, therefore, withdraw.” - - -JOHN THOMAS BRUNT was next called upon. He came forward in a quick -and rather hurried manner; and, in answer to the usual interrogatory, -addressed himself to the Court in a firm and confident tone. - -He said, he “had intended to have written the observations which he -should make, but he had not had the benefit of ink and paper. He would -repeat what he had before stated to the Jury on his trial, which had -been so ably knocked down by the Solicitor-General, whose sophisticated -eloquence would make even crime a virtue. He then proceeded to -recapitulate the circumstances already stated by him in his defence. -He protested against the verdict; not that he valued his life. No man -valued it less when it was to be sacrificed in liberty’s cause. - -“Looking around him in this Court, and seeing the sword of justice -and the inscriptions which were placed on the walls above the Learned -Judges, he could only say, that he felt his blood boil in his veins -when he thought how justice was perverted, and her sacred name -prostituted to the basest and vilest purposes. He was a man of his -word, and not a shuttlecock, as some might suppose. If he pledged -himself once to destroy a tyrant, he would do it. - -“Edwards, that infamous villain, whom the Solicitor-General had not -dared to bring forward, had preyed on his credulity; and Adams had -betrayed him. Where was the benefit which would result to Christianity -from the able defence made of it by the Solicitor-General? What was -Christianity? Why, did its doctrines promulgate so horrid an idea, as -that supposing a man to have been a Deist, and all at once to have -been converted by seeing the halter staring him in the face, he would, -therefore, be strengthened by Almighty God to become a villain and a -perjured betrayer of his associates? - -“That this was the case with Adams was evident from his own confession. -Was this, then, Christianity? If it was, he prayed God he might die -without it; for very different, indeed, were the ideas he had formed of -religion.” - -The prisoner then proceeded to attack the character of the witness, -Hale, his apprentice; in which, however, he was interrupted by the -Lord Chief Justice, who said, he would not allow persons and witnesses -not before the Court to be vilified. - -_Brunt_ proceeded--“He had antipathy against none but the enemies of -his country. He was a friend to the lower orders, and, as an honest -man, had a fellow-feeling for his countrymen, who were starving through -the conduct of Ministers. Lord Castlereagh and Lord Sidmouth had an -antipathy against the people; and if he did conspire to murder them, -was that high treason? He readily acknowledged that he had agreed to -assassinate Ministers; but he denied having ever conspired to dethrone -or injure the Monarch. But, if resisting the Civil Power, or opposing -wicked Ministers, was treason, then he confessed he was guilty. He was -no traitor to his country--he was no traitor to his King; but he was an -enemy to a boroughmongering faction, which equally enslaved both the -King and the people. - -“The happiness, the glory, and the safety of the King, depended on his -being free as well as his people; but this was not the case now. A -faction ruled both King and people with lawless sway. He had, by his -industry, been able to earn about three or four pounds a week; and, -while this was the case, he never meddled with politics: but, when he -found his income reduced to ten shillings a week, he began to look -about him, and to ask to what could that be owing? And what did he -find? Why, men in power, who met to deliberate how they might starve -and plunder the country. He looked on the Manchester transactions as -most dreadful, and thought that nothing was too severe for men, who had -not only caused, but even applauded, the dreadful scenes which occurred -there. - -“With pleasure would he die as a martyr in liberty’s cause for the good -of his country, and, to have been avenged on her tyrants would have -given him pleasure to have died on the spot. He was not a traitor, nor -a friend of a traitor, and it was only a villain who could call him so. -While a nerve of his body could move, that nerve should and would be -exerted against the enemies of the people. - -“He had joined the conspiracy for the public good. He was not the man -who would have stopped. O, no; he would have gone through with it to -the very bottom, or else have perished in the attempt. Their death was -necessary for the public good. They might quarter his body--they might -inflict on him every species of torture; but they could not shake his -resolution, nor subdue his spirit. He would mount the scaffold with the -same firm intrepidity he now evinced, and, if his life was called for, -if his wife was to be made a widow and his child an orphan, in this -mighty cause he would cheerfully sacrifice it!” - -In the course of this daring address, the wretched man had worked -himself up to a degree of passion bordering on rage. A feeling of -horror was visible in the face of all within his hearing, whilst the -unhappy man was coldly explaining and justifying his murderous purposes. - - -The same question was put to each of the remaining prisoners, who -severally returned answers to the following effect: - -RICHARD TIDD said, he had been convicted so late last night, that he -had no time to prepare a written address, as he could have wished. He -denied that the evidence against him was true, with the exception of -that of the gentleman he saw on the bench (Captain Fitzclarence); and, -as for shooting him, why he would as soon have thought of shooting his -own father. - -JAMES WILSON declared that he had been drawn into the plot by one of -the witnesses (Adams) who appeared against him. - -JOHN HARRISON, on being called upon, said My Lord, they were all false -witnesses. - -RICHARD BRADBURN.--The evidence of Adams was false. - -JOHN SHAW STRANGE.--I have only this much to say, my Lords, that the -evidence of Adams and Hale was false, and that they are perjured -villains. - -JAMES GILCHRIST was much affected, and some time elapsed before he -could speak. He said-- - -“My Lords, what I say, I shall say and think as in the presence of my -God. I knew nothing of the business until four o’clock on the day on -which it took place. I then had not tasted a morsel of food the whole -day. [Here the prisoner burst into tears.] I then went to a place -where a person appointed to meet me at six o’clock, where I saw four -or five men, not one of whom I knew, except Cooper; of him I borrowed -a halfpenny, to buy a bit of bread. I appeal to God who now hears me, -(casting up his eyes), and knows that this is true. - -“I went into the room at Cato-street, where I found a number of men -eating bread and cheese, which they cut with a sword. I cut some for -myself. Seeing so many men and arms, I was anxious to get away, but -Adams stopped me, and brandishing a sword, said, ‘If any man attempts -to go from here, I will run him through.’ An officer then came in, and -I surrendered without opposition. - -“This was all I knew of the business, and yet I stand here convicted of -high treason. I have served my King and country faithfully for twelve -years, and this is my recompense, this is my recompense, O God!” [Here -the prisoner again burst into tears, and could proceed no further.] - -CHARLES COOPER said, My Lords, there is no evidence to convict me of -high treason. - -GILCHRIST came again to the bar, and said, My Lords, I have no -objection to die; I would willingly resign my life to save that of -another. (It was not known to whom he alluded). He again retired from -the bar in tears as before, and continued so till the whole of the -prisoners were removed from Court. - - -Proclamation was now made by the Crier that the Judge was going to -proceed to pass sentence on the prisoners, and enjoining strict silence -in the Court. - -The Lord Chief-Justice ABBOTT, having put on that solemn part of the -judicial insignia, the black velvet cap, proceeded to his awful duty, -and thus addressed the prisoners:-- - -“You, Arthur Thistlewood, James Ings, John Thomas Brunt, William -Davidson, and Richard Tidd, have been severally tried and convicted of -High Treason, in Compassing and Levying War against his Majesty. - -“You, James Wilson, John Harrison, Richard Bradburn, John Shaw Strange, -James Gilchrist, and Charles Cooper, did originally plead _Not Guilty_ -to the same indictment; but, after the trial and conviction of the -preceding prisoners, you desired to withdraw your plea, and plead -_Guilty_. You have cast yourselves on the mercy of your sovereign; and -if any of you have your lives spared, which I trust will be the case -with some of you, I hope you will bear in mind that you owe it to the -benignity and mercy of your sovereign, and to some of those public -officers whom you had devoted to a cruel and sudden death.” - -His Lordship then proceeded with his address. “Thistlewood,” he -observed, “had complained that the Court had refused to receive the -testimony of some witnesses, after the evidence had closed on both -sides. But he should recollect that his trial was conducted according -to the law, as it had been administered in this country for ages. The -witnesses whom he proposed to call were for the purpose of impugning -the testimony of a man of the name of Dwyer, and no other. His learned -counsel had previously called witnesses to the same effect. It could -not be allowed to him, according to the ordinary course of proceeding, -to do more. Indeed, even if he had been allowed so to do, it could have -been productive of no advantage, because his case did not depend upon -the evidence of that witness alone. This observation was confirmed by -the fact, that in subsequent cases, where the evidence of Dwyer was -altogether omitted, a similar verdict of guilty was returned. - -“Some of them had thought fit to say much of the character of a person -who had not appeared as a witness upon this occasion. The Court could -proceed only upon the evidence which was brought before it. Of the -person, therefore, to whom they alluded, or of the practices of which -he had been guilty, they could have no knowledge. Upon the testimony, -however, which had been adduced against them, there was abundantly -sufficient to induce a Jury of their country to come to a conclusion, -that the whole of them had taken an active part in the crimes imputed -in the indictment. - -“From all that had appeared in the course of these trials, as well -as from much of that which they had then heard, it was plain to see, -that they did not embark in their wicked designs until they had first -suffered their minds to be corrupted and inflamed by those seditious -and irreligious publications, with which, unhappily for this country, -the press had but too long teemed. He did not make these remarks to -aggravate their guilt, or to enhance the sufferings of persons in their -situation. He made them as a warning to all who might hear of their -unfortunate fate, that they might benefit by their example, and avoid -those dangerous instruments of sedition, by which their hearts and -minds were inflamed, and by which they were drawn from every feeling of -morality, from every sense of obligation towards their Creator, and of -justice towards society. - -“The treason of which they were charged, and found guilty, was that -of compassing and imagining to levy war against his majesty, for the -purpose of inducing him to change his measures and Ministers; the -first step towards effecting which was to have been the assassination -of Ministers themselves. They had endeavoured now to complain of the -testimony of those persons who had been examined as witnesses on the -part of the prosecution. Some of them were accomplices in their guilt. - -“It had here happened, as it had upon other occasions, that the -principal instruments in the hands of justice were partners in their -wickedness: he trusted that circumstance would have its due weight -and consideration with all those, who became acquainted with their -situation, and with the circumstances of their trial. He hoped that, -for the sake of their own personal safety, if they could not be -restrained by any other consideration, they would abstain from evil -communications and from evil connexions, such as had brought the -prisoners to the unhappy position in which they stood. - -“Some of them had avowed their intention to have taken away the lives, -and to have steeped their hands in the blood of fourteen persons, to -many of them unknown. It was without a precedent to see Englishmen -laying aside their national character, and contriving and agreeing on -the assassination, in cold blood, of fourteen individuals, who had -never offended any of them. This was a crime which hitherto was a -stranger to our country, and he trusted it would, after the melancholy -example of the prisoners, be unknown amongst us. - -“It now,” he said, “only remained for him to pass upon them the -awful sentence of the law; but before he did so, he exhorted them, -he implored them, to employ the time yet left to them in this life -in endeavouring, by prayer, to obtain mercy from that Almighty Power -before whom they would shortly appear. The mercy of heaven might be -obtained by all those who would unfeignedly, and with humility, express -contrition for their offences, and seek that mercy through the merits -of their blessed Redeemer.” - -This awful appeal, delivered by the judge in the most impressive -manner, was wholly lost on Thistlewood, who, with apparent careless -indifference, pulled out his snuff-box, some of the contents of which -he took, casting his eyes round the court, as if he were entering a -theatre. His indifference was the more conspicuous when contrasted -with the solemn manner in which the Lord Chief-Justice addressed the -prisoners. - -His Lordship continued. - -“Whether the prisoners would profit by the advice which he thus -sincerely gave them he could not say, but he once again begged that -they might not allow themselves to be led away by such feelings and -opinions as seemed hitherto to have influenced them. - -“He had now to pronounce upon them the sentence of the law, which was-- - -“That you, and each of you, be taken from hence to the gaol from whence -you came, and from thence that you be drawn upon a hurdle to a place -of execution, and be there hanged by the neck until you be dead; and -that afterwards your heads shall be severed from your bodies, and your -bodies be divided into four quarters, to be disposed of as his majesty -shall think fit. And may God of his infinite goodness have mercy upon -your souls!” - -The crier said aloud, “Amen!” in which he was joined by many in the -Court, who were deeply affected by his Lordship’s address. - - -The prisoners were then removed from the bar; some of them, -particularly Thistlewood, Brunt, and Davidson, appearing to be wholly -unconcerned at the awful sentence which had been passed upon them, and -the whole of them evincing great firmness and resignation. - -Tidd complained of the immense weight of his irons, when the Lord Chief -Justice, with that humanity and feeling which had characterized his -conduct throughout the whole of this arduous and painful business, -said he was sure the gaoler would grant the prisoner every indulgence -consistent with his safety. - - - - -PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION, - -AND - -_CONDUCT OF THE PRISONERS_. - - -The public anxiety had been, as we have already stated, more than -usually excited during the trials of the conspirators, and much -curiosity was, of course, felt as what would be the final result, and -on what particular day the unhappy, deluded wretches, would suffer the -last dreadful sentence of the law. The public suspense was, however, -terminated on Saturday, the day after the passing sentence of death, -when his Majesty held a Privy Council, at which Newman Knowles, Esq., -the Common-Serjeant of London, (in the absence of the Recorder through -indisposition,) was admitted into the presence of the King, to make a -Report of the persons convicted of the crime of High Treason before -the Special Commissioners, in which the Learned Serjeant was assisted -by the Judges present, who tried the prisoners. The Council, at which -his Majesty was present, assembled at two o’clock, and continued in -deliberation till near four; and, after the Report had been received, -the Council proceeded to deliberate upon the fate of the prisoners, and -upon the period when it might be proper the execution should take place. - -It was at length determined, with a view to render the example more -imposing, and to mark the sense which was entertained of the atrocious -offence of which the wretched culprits were found guilty, to order them -for execution on the following Monday; and that THISTLEWOOD, BRUNT, -INGS, DAVIDSON, and TIDD, should be the sufferers. But that part of -the sentence which directed that their bodies should be quartered was -remitted. - -The sentence of death on HARRISON, WILSON, COOPER, STRANGE, and -BRADBURN, was commuted to transportation for life, in conformity with -the implied pledge which they received when they agreed to plead -_Guilty_ to the indictments; and GILCHRIST was respited, without -mention of the commutation of punishment. - - -Mr. Brown, the Governor of Newgate, received the warrant at seven -o’clock in the evening, and, accompanied by the Under-Sheriff, -immediately went to the condemned room, in which were sitting those who -were ordered for execution, attended by eight officers. - -When he entered, they rose in the most respectful manner. He held in -his hand the Recorder’s warrant, of the contents of which they appeared -conscious. A dead silence prevailed; but there was not the slightest -agitation observable in the countenances or manner of any one of the -prisoners. - -Mr. Brown addressed them in the following words:--“It is my painful -duty to communicate to you, that I hold the Recorder’s warrant for the -execution of you, Thistlewood, Ings, Brunt, Davidson, and Tidd, on -Monday morning. I hope and trust that the short time you have to remain -in this world will be employed by you in making preparation for that to -which you are going.” - -Thistlewood immediately, and in the calmest manner, said--“The sooner -we go, Sir, the better. Our wish is to die as soon as possible.” The -others expressed the same sentiments. - -Mr. Brown.--“If any of you wish to have the assistance of a clergyman -of any persuasion, during your preparation, let me know it, and I -shall apply to the authority by which I am convinced you will not be -refused.” - -Not a word was uttered by any one of the prisoners. - -Mr. Brown then said, “Let me entreat you with effect to give up your -thoughts to the contemplation of the change which you are about to -undergo. Your time in this life is very short; devote it to repentance, -and prayer to that Being who will not desert you at the moment of fatal -separation.” - -The prisoners did not speak, nor make any sign. - -Mr. Brown then left the room, and the miserable men turned to the -conversation in which they had been engaged before he entered, without -any reference to the tidings they had just heard. - -Upon going to the condemned room where the six conspirators who pleaded -guilty were confined, Mr. Brown observed a very striking contrast -to the scene which he had just quitted, as far as regarded Strange, -Bradburn, Cooper, and Gilchrist. - -He entered with the Recorder’s warrant in his hand, which contained -cheering intelligence to them. Strange, Bradburn, Cooper, and -Gilchrist, seemed struck with consternation; but Harrison and Wilson -shewed no symptoms of agitation, but appeared rather to despise than to -pity the deplorable condition of their companions, and uttered not a -word expressive of hope or fear. - -Mr. Brown then informed them, that mercy had been extended to them, and -that their lives were spared. - -Strange, Cooper, Bradburn, and Gilchrist, immediately fell on -their knees, and, after a pause, gave utterance to incoherent and -unintelligible expressions of gratitude. Harrison and Wilson still -remaining silent, and apparently unmoved. - -Mr. Brown said, “I have now to show you the dark side of the picture. -Your unfortunate miserable companions in crime who were tried, are -ordered for execution on Monday morning; and you, Harrison, Wilson, -Cooper, Strange, and Bradburn, are transported for life.” - -Wilson, who before had appeared perfectly callous, now exclaimed, “Ah! -our poor friends; I am indeed sorry for them.” Harrison said nothing; -the others were too much occupied with the joy of their own escape to -bestow a thought upon those who were to forfeit their lives. - -Mr. Brown said, “There is one of the most remarkable circumstances -attending your cases that ever took place upon any occasion; and, if -you have any feeling, it must make a deep and indelible impression upon -you. Those very persons against whose lives your hands were about to be -raised, are the men by whose intercession your lives have been saved.” - -After Mr. Brown had performed so much of his painful task, he proceeded -to another step, which excited in the breast of some of the prisoners -a strong feeling of irritation, namely, to place them in separate -condemned cells. - -They had entertained a hope that they would be permitted to spend the -last few hours of their life together, mutually to cheer each other -by their example, and to obtain those consolations which the society -of friends in so melancholy a situation must necessarily produce. Mr. -Brown, however, had received his instructions, and was bound to attend -to them, although he might himself have been anxious to grant them -every indulgence consistent with their safety. - -The five unhappy men, whose hours were now numbered, were each removed -to the place appointed, and were still accompanied by two of the under -turnkeys. - -The reason assigned for this arrangement, was the existence of a spirit -of hardihood among the unfortunate men, which, while they remained -together, seemed but to increase. - -In the early part of Saturday, they had been visited by the Reverend -Mr. Cotton (the Ordinary of Newgate), and exhorted by him to have -recourse to those prayers which had been so strongly and humanely -recommended by the Lord Chief Justice. They were, however, deaf to his -entreaties, and conjointly told him, that however much they respected -his motives, still that their minds were made up on religious subjects; -they were Deists, and therefore not inclined to join in that form of -appeal to Heaven, which, in the exercise of his sacred functions, he -thought it necessary to suggest. Mr. Cotton finding that his arguments -were productive of no good effect, left them with regret. - -He repeated his visits during the afternoon, but with as little -success, and then determined not to renew his solicitations for some -hours, which would allow time for quiet reflection, concluding that -while their minds were in a state of irritation, he was still less -likely to open their hearts to that contrite feeling, from which he -could alone hope to bring them to a true sense of their situation. - -On Sunday morning he re-commenced his pious labours, and on entering -their cells, repeated his former arguments; but they again repeated -their disbelief in the divinity of Christ, and refused through his -mediation to seek pardon of their offended Maker. - -Davidson alone listened with attention, and he at length begged Mr. -Cotton to procure him a Wesleyan minister. His wish was communicated -to Mr. Brown, who, in the course of the morning attended at Whitehall, -and reported the circumstance. The Wesleyan minister selected by -Davidson, was a person of the name of Rennett, who, it seems, had been -a journeyman tailor, and had sometimes preached among the Wesleyans; -Davidson’s selection of him on this occasion, was founded on some -slight knowledge of him. As this man, however, was in a situation in -life not well adapted to reveal the holy tenets of salvation to a dying -man, it was thought prudent to decline introducing him to the prisoner. - -In the course of Sunday, a most decided change took place in Davidson’s -manner and conduct, and having been induced to abandon his wish -of receiving spiritual comfort from the Wesleyan minister, it was -suggested, that if he desired it, he should have a regular clergyman -of any persuasion he might think fit. On hearing this proposition -again repeated to him, the rays of Christianity, burst, as it were, -through his dungeon’s gloom, and he immediately requested the spiritual -consolation of the Reverend Mr. Cotton. That gentleman visited him -immediately, and continued to attend him, and to administer all the -consolation in his power to the wretched man, up to the last moment of -his life. The unhappy Davidson also begged to be favoured with pen, -ink, and paper, as he was anxious to write to Lord Harrowby, towards -whom he continued to express the warmest respect. This request was -granted, and he wrote a letter of some length, (see p. 410) which he -sealed, and which was afterwards given to Mr. Under-Sheriff Turner, to -be delivered. - -On Sunday afternoon, the heart-rending scene of introducing the -families of the wretched men to take a last farewell, was gone through. - -Thistlewood’s interview with his wife and son was truly affecting; and -the scenes exhibited in the other cells were of the most agonizing -description. The unfortunate children, capable of understanding the -situation of their unhappy parents, were convulsed with sorrow. The -strongest feelings of commiseration were excited in the minds of those -whose painful duty it was to be present. - -Brunt formed a solitary exception to this remark. His composure on -taking leave of his wife was of the most extraordinary description: he -expressed himself in the most unmoved manner, and declared that the day -of his execution would be to him the happiest of his life. - -The solemn service of the condemned sermon, usually preached in the -chapel at Newgate, to repentant criminals, who are about to expiate -their crimes with their blood, was on this occasion, reluctantly -dispensed with. The miserable malefactors had so decidedly pronounced -themselves Deists, and (with the exception of Davidson, and even he, -until Sunday, had fully concurred with them) had evinced in all parts -of their conduct so awful a disregard of the precepts of Christianity -and disbelief in its divine origin, as to excite an apprehension -that their blasphemous principles would manifest themselves in some -dreadful act of infidelity during divine service; it was therefore -thought more prudent to omit the ceremony altogether, than to subject -the administration of our holy religion to public insult by avowed and -hardened infidels; and this determination was perfectly agreeable to -the miserable beings themselves, who had boasted of being impenetrable -to repentance, and determined to end the brief remnant of their days -in the same horrid anti-christian principles which they had throughout -professed. - -In the course of Sunday, Alderman Wood called twice upon Mr. Brown, and -requested to be introduced to the prisoners. Mr. Brown said he would -willingly have complied with the worthy Alderman’s request, but his -instructions were, not to permit any person to have intercourse with -the unhappy men, save their families, unless under the sanction of an -order from the Privy Council. - -Mr. Alderman Wood then begged that he would carry to the prisoners -three written questions, and obtain the answers; but this also Mr. -Brown refused, upon the principle of the strict performance of his duty. - -During nearly the whole of Sunday night, the deluded malefactors, -who were attended by the city constables, slept soundly, and were -only awakened by the unbarring of their cell doors, to admit the -Reverend Ordinary. He found them in their separate cells, and went -to each, urging every pious argument to reclaim them to the paths of -Christianity. - -On Thistlewood, Tidd, Ings, and Brunt, however, his arguments were -unavailing; but on Davidson his endeavours were crowned with success, -and in the most fervent manner this unfortunate man joined in prayer -with Mr. Cotton for mercy at the hands of his Redeemer. - -The cells in which these delinquents were confined, though separated -by strong walls of stone, were not sufficiently detached to prevent -them from speaking to each other, and Ings, speaking, during the night, -of the approaching awful exhibition they were to make, remarked to -one of his companions, with savage disappointment, “that there would -be plenty of persons present; but d--n the ----, they had no pluck.” -Indeed, it seemed impossible to divert the mind of this wretched man -from the original object by which he had been actuated; he often -made declarations of the most terrific nature, and, amongst others, -“he wished that his body might be conveyed to the King, and that his -Majesty, or his cooks, might make turtle-soup of it!” - -At five o’clock on Monday morning, Mr. Cotton went again to the gaol, -and proceeded to the condemned cells with the hallowed elements of the -sacrament, which was administered to and received by Davidson with the -utmost devotion. - -The Reverend Gentleman offered the same means of redemption to the -other culprits, who, however, were immutable in their infidelity. - -Brunt partook of the wine offered to him, but only for the purpose of -drinking the King’s health, which he appeared to do cordially. Davidson -also drank the King’s health, and joined fervently in the prayer for -him and the Royal Family, which is in the established Church Service. - -At six o’clock breakfast was ordered for the wretched men, and all but -Davidson expressed a desire that they might be allowed to breakfast -together. It was known, however, that they wished to arrange and mature -what each should say upon the scaffold, and therefore Mr. Brown most -prudently refrained from complying with this request. - - -While these occurrences were taking place within the gaol, the -exhibition without was not destitute of interest; and the arrangements -making among the persons whose official duties connected them with the -final execution of the law, were of the highest importance. - -The Sunday papers had announced the period fixed for the execution, -and as this was accompanied by a speculation that a scaffold was to be -erected on the top of the prison, upon which the ignominious sentence -was to be performed, thousands of persons flocked towards the Old -Bailey, and continued to do so during the day, assembling in groups for -information, and not unfrequently indulging in language disgraceful to -themselves, and alarming to those who felt anxious for the peace of the -metropolis. Among these persons were many who had long been known as -the constant attendants at those factious meetings, the repetitions of -which have been productive of so much mischief. - -On Saturday evening, Mr. Sheriff Rothwell and Mr. Under-Sheriff -Turner, had waited on Lord Sidmouth to arrange the mode in which the -execution should take place. The plan at first proposed of erecting a -scaffold on the top of the prison at the end near Newgate-street, was -then considered and abandoned, Lord Sidmouth being of opinion that -there was no necessity for departing from the form customary on like -occasions; and, on the suggestion of Sheriff Rothwell, it was further -resolved to dispense with that part of the sentence which directed that -the culprits should be drawn on a hurdle to the place of execution, in -consideration of the great inconvenience that might arise in conveying -them along the streets in the manner which had been adopted on former -occasions, namely, from the court-yard in front of the Sessions-house -to the scaffold. - -On the return of Mr. Sheriff Rothwell and Mr. Under-Sheriff Turner, -from the office of the Secretary of State, with their final -instructions, they directed Mr. Montague, one of the surveyors of -public buildings in the city, to make the necessary arrangements -for resisting the pressure of the crowd which was anticipated, and -for enlarging the ordinary scaffold to such a size as would admit -of the performance of the more awful part of the ceremony--that of -decapitating the criminals. - -To effect these works, a great number of men were suddenly called into -requisition, and during the whole of Sunday they were actively engaged. - -The addition to the scaffold was made in the Court-yard in front of the -Sessions-house, and the loud strokes of the carpenters’ hammers soon -attracted the attention of the passengers, hundreds of whom mounted -upon the wall to view what was going forward. The confusion created at -this spot induced Mr. Montague to send to the Lord Mayor for the aid -of some constables, and in a short time the City Marshal, arrived at -the head of several officers. The crowd was immediately removed from -the wall, and order was restored. - -Curiosity was next directed to the workmen at the ends of the various -avenues leading to the Old Bailey, across which strong posts and rails -were erected in such a manner as to prevent the distant crowd from -throwing the whole of their weight on those in front, and thereby -preventing that confusion and danger which otherwise would have been -incurred, and which was productive of such melancholy consequences at -the execution of Holloway and Haggerty, for the murder of Mr. Steel[2]. - -There were double rows of rails across the top of the Old Bailey, -across Newgate-street, Giltspur-street, Skinner-street, Fleet-lane, and -in fact at the mouth of every approach to the prison. - -In the course of Sunday morning Mr. Sheriff Rothwell and Mr. -Under-Sheriff Turner held a consultation with the Lord Mayor, as to -the necessity of applying to the Secretary of State for the Home -Department, to direct the attendance of a military force, not alone in -the prison, but in its immediate vicinity. - -The result of their deliberations was, that such an application was -highly proper; and accordingly Mr. Turner was despatched to Whitehall, -with a letter to Lord Sidmouth, intimating the wish of the Lord Mayor. -In consequence of this application, in the course of the afternoon -one hundred men were ordered to proceed to the gaol of Newgate, and a -detachment of fifty was quartered in Giltspur-street Compter. - -Other detachments were on duty at a short distance from the prison. In -fact, every possible precaution was adopted to prevent disturbance or -disorder. - -As the evening advanced, the throng in front of the prison increased, -and at eight o’clock the pressure was so great, that it required the -utmost exertions of the constables on duty to prevent the interruption -of the workmen. Thousands of all ranks and ages congregated in front of -the gaol. - -The scaffold had been brought forth from the Court-yard, and the -carpenters were busily employed in erecting the additional platform, -which was ten feet square, and constructed with great solidity. They -continued their operations by torch-light, which seemed as it were but -to make “darkness visible,” and considerably enhanced the solemnity of -the scene. - -Such was the anxiety of some to witness the execution, that they -literally determined to remain in the neighbourhood all night, and -thousands sacrificed their natural rest to the gratification of their -curiosity. - -The windows of the houses in the Old Bailey and the streets adjacent, -commanding a view of the scaffold were let out at exorbitant prices. -The sums demanded for a view from the windows were from ten shillings -to two guineas, but even at these prices there was a superabundance of -applicants. - -Very early on Monday morning, the bar, which had previously been -bounded but by one rank of spectators, was enclosed by a second, and -the assembling populace soon began to assume the appearance of a crowd. -They stood in immense masses by the time the clock struck five. - -An idea partially prevailed, that the area immediately without the rail -which encompassed the scaffold, where on ordinary occasions spectators -are allowed to stand, would be cleared out when the constables arrived, -and this induced many to take their stations beyond the first barrier. -This apprehension turned out to be well-founded; and, at a quarter -past five, those who had been for hours clinging to the inner rail -were obliged reluctantly to abandon the situations in which they had -proposed to witness the execution. No exceptions were made; and none -but officers, and those engaged to assist in the preparations, were -suffered to remain. Compelled to retire from the immediate vicinity of -the scaffold, they attempted to take up a position beyond the first -rail, but they were again disappointed, and the officers still pressed -on them till they had retreated beyond the second bar, which was placed -at the very extremity of the Old Bailey, on a line with Newgate-street. - -The lamp-iron which is fixed in the wall of the prison between the -corner of the street and the Debtor’s door had been climbed by three -persons, and that at the corner was taken possession of in the same -way. Both were now relieved from the load which they had sustained -for hours. The pump, and the lamps above it, were crowded to an -extraordinary degree. The situation appeared one of danger, but those -who had taken the trouble to ascend it were suffered to remain. - -When the crowd had passed the second bar (that which crossed the -road from the end of Newgate-street), it was immediately lined with -constables. In the opposite direction, a similar course was taken, and -a bar erected a little below the Felons’ door precluded on that side -any closer approach. - -An extensive area was thus taken from the ground which the populace -on ordinary occasions are suffered to occupy. The precautions adopted -on this occasion greatly surpassed those resorted to on that of -Bellingham’s execution; but placards like those then addressed to the -populace, warning them of the danger of pressing forward too eagerly, -from the more efficient measures taken to guard against the pressure -of the crowd, were thought unnecessary. - -Between five and six o’clock a great quantity of sawdust was brought -out and deposited beneath the scaffold on which the decollations were -to be performed. It was shortly afterwards transferred to the top of -it, and at the same time black cloth was brought, and the scaffold -erected in the rear of the drop was completely covered with it. The -posts which sustained the chains above it received the same sable -attire; and while these preparations were in progress, every avenue -leading into the Old Bailey was carefully secured by strong wooden -rails fixed across, and guarded by constables. - -At twenty minutes before six, a party of the Foot Guards (sixty-one -in number) came out of the prison by the felons’-door; they passed -down Brown’s-yard, opposite Newgate, where they were ordered to remain -till their services should be required. At the same time, a detachment -moved down Newgate-street towards the City, to secure the peace of the -metropolis, should it be in any manner threatened. - -Before six o’clock, the City-Marshals arrived; and Mr. Sheriff Rothwell -made his appearance at the same moment. He was not accompanied by his -colleague, the Junior Sheriff. He carefully inspected the preparations -for the awful business of the morning. The crowd, before repressed -beyond the felons’-door, were about this time compelled to move still -lower down towards Ludgate-hill. - -Mr. Alderman Wood also arrived on the spot very early in the morning; -and, on first going into Mr. Brown’s office, expressed considerable -indignation at his not being suffered to commune with the convicts when -he called at Newgate on Sunday; stating that the gaol was no longer -under the direction of the city, but under that of Lord Sidmouth, -orders having been issued from the Secretary of State’s office, to -suffer no one to see these convicts, unless by a properly authenticated -order. - -At six o’clock the constables assembled in immense numbers, and the -firemen from the different insurance-offices were among them. - -Shortly after six, the City-Marshal called over the names of the -officers in attendance from the different City wards. This done, they -were formed into several parties, and its proper station was assigned -to each. - -At this time the Lord-Mayor attended, and, accompanied by the -City-Marshal superintended the whole of the arrangements. - -During the time occupied by the preparations above described, -the conduct of the countless thousands assembled on this awfully -interesting occasion was peaceable in the extreme. Curiosity seemed -powerfully excited; but no political feeling was manifested by any part -of the crowd, and they awaited the termination of the dreadful scene in -silence. Sometimes a low murmur ran through the expecting multitude, -as some new object connected with the proceedings was pressed on their -attention; but it was a murmur of surprise or of interest, which never -took the tone of clamorous disapprobation. - -For a rescue--if it was ever contemplated--all hopes of accomplishing -it must have been annihilated by the precautions we have enumerated. -The powerful force assembled on the spot must have convinced the most -frantic Radicals that all resistance was vain, and escape on failure -impossible. - -It was generally reported that the execution would take place an hour -before the usual time of execution. At a quarter before seven, the -persons accommodated at the top of the prison were observed to retire -from the front of the building. This, in consequence of the rumour -just alluded to, caused it to be generally surmised that the prisoners -were about to be led out immediately. The rumour, however, proved to be -unfounded. - -At seven o’clock, the crowd which was collected about the prison, in -every avenue leading to it, or commanding the most distant glimpse -of its walls, was beyond all calculation; but still there was not -the least appearance of disorder. In fact, such were the formidable -preparations to preserve the peace, that no possible alarm could exist. -In the event of a riot, however, the Lord Mayor was prepared with large -boards on poles, ready to be used, should it become necessary to read -the Riot Act. They were brought within the rail which enclosed the -gallows; and bills were immediately nailed to them, containing, in -large characters, the following words: - - THE RIOT-ACT HAS BEEN READ. - DISPERSE IMMEDIATELY. - -These were then laid down on each side of the debtors-door. Of course -they were not exhibited to the populace, being only prepared to be used -in case of necessity, that, if unhappily it should become the duty of -the civil authorities to have recourse to so strong a measure, it might -be impossible for the multitude to be ignorant of the peril to which -they would be exposed by neglecting to yield prompt obedience to the -mandate. - -A party of the Life Guards was stationed towards the lower end of -the Old-Bailey, and a small detachment appeared at the end next St. -Sepulchre’s Church. On a sudden a loud noise attracted the attention -of every one; this was caused by the awkward situation in which a -person had placed himself, who, having got within the second bar, had -clambered up against one of the houses, where the constables, who felt -it their duty to remove him, could not get at him. He was at length -pulled down by the heels, amidst the boisterous laughter of the crowd, -who in this manifested all the thoughtless levity of a common mob--a -levity not unlike that described by the unfortunate Hackman to have -preceded the execution of Dr. Dodd[3]. - -Several persons of distinction--among others some military officers of -rank--arrived in the course of the morning, and Mr. Brown, the gaoler, -afforded them accommodation in his house. They took their places at the -drawing-room windows, and were thus enabled to command an excellent -view of the whole melancholy scene. - -Shortly after seven o’clock, the executioner made his appearance on -the drop, and placed the steps by which he was to ascend to tie the -sufferers to the fatal beam. The saw-dust, which had been previously -collected in two small heaps on the second scaffold, was now spread -over the boards. - -The coffins were then brought out, and placed on the saw-dust, the foot -of each being put so as nearly to touch the platform, from which those -who were to fill them were to be launched into eternity. They had no -lids on them. The coffin of Thistlewood was first lifted out. The third -coffin brought out appeared longer than the others, and was supposed to -be intended for Davidson, who was the tallest man; but this conjecture -proved erroneous. - -The persons employed to bring the coffins swept out the large one, -and then proceeded to throw saw-dust into them, that the blood of the -sufferers might not find its way through. - -The block was now brought up, and placed at the head of the first -coffin. Most of the spectators were surprised at the shape of the -block, as, instead of presenting a flat surface, it was slanted off, -so that the top of it was quite sharp. - -The awful moment was now rapidly approaching when the ill-fated men -were to be removed to another world. Each of them conversed freely with -the officers who had them in charge, and severally declared that moment -to be the happiest of their lives. - -Davidson alone continued to pray fervently to the moment of his -removal; but the others seemed perfectly unmoved by their approaching -fate. - -The six prisoners who had received the royal clemency, had been -previously removed to another part of the prison, under the care and -superintendence of a turnkey. - -The four before-mentioned, _viz._ Strange, Cooper, Bradburn, and -Gilchrist, continued to express themselves in the most grateful and -enthusiastic terms, that their lives had been saved through the kind -and benevolent interposition of those illustrious personages whose -lives were intended to fall sacrifices to their diabolical project; but -Wilson and Harrison persisted in the most obstinate indifference to the -mercy which had been so graciously extended towards them. During the -night and morning, they became excessively uneasy; and, while they wept -for the ignominious fate of their companions, they expressed a wish -that they might have been participators in its consequences, horrible -as they were. - -About half-past seven o’clock, the Sheriffs, Under-Sheriffs, several -young noblemen, and a number of gentlemen, walked in the procession (as -is usual) through the various passages in Newgate, till they arrived at -the door of the condemned cells, which comes into the press-yard. The -unhappy criminals, since receiving sentence of death, had been confined -in the lower ward of the prison assigned to capital convicts. - -Thistlewood came out of the condemned cell first; he bowed to the -Sheriffs and gentlemen present; he looked very pale, he cast up his -eyes, and said, “It appears fine.” He displayed uncommon firmness, -and held out his hands for the assistant executioner to tie them. He -observed to the persons near him, that he never felt in better spirits -in the course of his life. He was attired in the same apparel that he -wore during his trial. The composure he exhibited was striking; but -there was nothing like bravado or carelessness. He now advanced to the -block to have his irons knocked off; and, while the turnkey was in the -act, - -Mr. Alderman Wood advanced to Thistlewood, and said, “Thistlewood, I -wish you to give me an answer to two or three questions.” - -_Mr. Sheriff Rothwell_--“Mr. Alderman, I must interfere. I am sure you -have had quite experience enough of magisterial duties to know, that -on a solemn occasion of this kind, you ought not to interfere with a -prisoner on the point of death.” - -_Mr. Alderman Wood_--“You prevented me, Mr. Sheriff, from entering -Newgate yesterday, to obtain the information I am now about to seek. -You have no authority to prevent me from now having it, as the gaol is -this day under the superintendence of Lord Sidmouth; and I must persist -in obtaining answers to my questions, if the prisoner chooses to give -them.” - -_Mr. Sheriff Rothwell_--“I cannot suffer you to disturb the quiet of -this unhappy man’s mind at this awful moment, Mr. Alderman. I must, by -virtue of my office, interfere, and prevent you from doing any thing -which can have a tendency to distract the mind of a man in his awful -situation--one who is indeed dead in law.” - -_Mr. Sheriff Parkins_--“I must insist on the Worthy Alderman’s being -permitted to put any question he pleases, unless the prisoner objects. -I now authorise Alderman Wood to put whatever questions he wishes.” - -_Mr. Sheriff Rothwell_--“Well, I must again object. I think it highly -improper.” - -_Mr. Alderman Wood_--“I have the questions here written down, and I’ll -put them to you. Thistlewood, when did you first become acquainted with -Edwards?” - -_Thistlewood_--“About June last.” - -_Mr. Alderman Wood_--“Where did you become acquainted with Edwards?” - -_Thistlewood_--“At Preston’s.” - -_Mr. Alderman Wood_, who did not appear to have heard the final letter, -said, “At Preston, in Lancashire?” - -_Thistlewood_--“No: at Preston’s, the shoemaker.” - -_Mr. Alderman Wood_--“Did he ever give you any money?” - -_Thistlewood_--“Yes, I had a little from him, a pound-note at a time.” - -The Worthy Alderman wrote down the answers he had received to his -questions. - -Mr. Sheriff Rothwell appeared extremely angry at the course taken -by the Worthy Alderman, while his colleague, Mr. Sheriff Parkins, -expressed his warm approbation of it. - -Tidd next made his appearance; he came out of the cell into the -Press-yard with an air of assumed gaiety. He smiled during the time -he was being pinioned, and continued quite cheerful during the time -his irons were knocking off. The moment his legs were free from their -burden, he ran towards Thistlewood, who had taken a seat on a bench -(placed in the yard for the purpose), and said, “Well, Mr. Thistlewood, -how do you do,” and they shook hands most heartily. Thistlewood said, -“He was never better.” Tidd conversed in the most gay and cheerful -manner with the turnkey, while he was driving the rivets out of his -irons, and composedly assisted the man in taking them off. - -Ings then came out of the cell, and danced as he came down the steps -along the yard. He was dressed in his usual clothes as a butcher, a -rough pepper-and-salt coloured worsted jacket, and a dirty cap. During -the time his hands were being tied he became thoughtful, afterwards -he seemed hurried and in great mental pain; but before his irons were -knocked off he began to laugh and shout, and afterwards took a seat by -the side of his fellow-sufferers. - -Brunt was then brought into the Press-yard; he was perfectly composed, -but looked round eagerly to see his wretched companions. He nodded to -them, and then held out his hands to have them tied. He said nothing -during the time he was being pinioned and having his irons taken off; -but afterwards he addressed Thistlewood, Tidd, and Ings; he told them -to keep up their spirits, and to one of his companions he said, “All -will soon be well.” - -Davidson was then brought out of his cell; he seemed a little affected -at the sight of his companions, but soon regained that composure which -he evinced during the trials. His lips moved; but he did not betray -much anxiety till his irons were knocked off. He then looked wildly at -the Rev. Mr. Cotton, and appeared to be in prayer, very devoutly; the -others declared they were about to die in peace with all mankind, but -that they had all made up their minds on religious matters, and were -determined to die Deists. - -Davidson took the sacrament in the morning at six o’clock, from Mr. -Cotton, and prayed most fervently. He also joined the Rev. Gentleman in -a prayer for the prosperity of his Majesty King George IV., though he -avowed he had not the same feeling for his ministers. A glass of wine -was offered to Thistlewood, who politely refused. Tidd and Brunt took a -glass each. - -The irons of the culprits were then knocked off in succession. -Thistlewood requested Mr. Cotton to speak to him, but for no other -motive than to request he would observe his conduct had been manly, and -to state that he was perfectly happy, and died in peace with God. - -Even to the last moment, the attentions of the Reverend Ordinary -to the four men whom we have pointed out were unavailing: to every -remonstrance he offered, the only answer was, they wanted no assistance -of his, their minds were perfectly made up on religious subjects, and -they believed they should receive mercy at the hands of God. - -When the awful ceremony of pinioning the culprits by the yeoman of -the halter was concluded, they each shook hands, and most fervently -exclaimed, “God bless you.” The Reverend Mr. Cotton then began to read -the burial service, commencing at the words “I am the resurrection and -the life,” _&c._, and, the arrangements being completed, the procession -advanced through the dark passages of the gaol, led by the Sheriffs and -Under-Sheriffs. The Reverend Mr. Cotton moved first. - -Thistlewood followed, with his eyes fixed, as it were, in abstract -thought, and apparently lost to his situation. A vacant and unmeaning -stare pervaded his countenance, which seemed unmoved by the devotions -of the pious Ordinary. - -Tidd walked next, and although somewhat affected by his situation, his -manner was collected, manly, and unaffectedly firm. - -Ings came next, and was laughing without reserve, and used every forced -effort to subdue the better feelings of nature, which might remind him -of his awful situation; his conduct was more like a delirium of fear -than an effect of courage. - -Brunt, in fixed and hardened obduracy of mind, next advanced, and with -a sullen and morose air of indifference surveyed the officers who were -conducting him to his fate. - -The unhappy Davidson came last, with clasped hands and uplifted eyes, -praying most devoutly; and the officers of the gaol closed the mournful -procession. - -On their arrival at the Lodge, from which the Debtors’-door leads -to the scaffold, a moment’s pause took place, while the dreadful -paraphernalia of death were adjusted without. Thistlewood, who stood -first, clasped his lips, and with a frown surveyed, from the door-way -in which he stood, the awful preparations for his fate. - -The Under-Sheriff, at this period stepped into the road from the -Governor’s house, to ascertain how far the preparations had proceeded. -Every thing seemed to be completely arranged. A party of the -Horse-Guards seemed about to pass the barrier beyond which they had -previously been stationed, but they did not persevere, in consequence -of the difficulty of penetrating the crowd. - -The persons who had previously retired from the front of the prison -now (at twenty minutes before eight) returned to their old places on -the top of it. This, with other circumstances just particularized, -announced that the culprits were about to be conducted to the scaffold. - -The re-appearance of the executioner, and the solemn sound of the bell, -removed all doubt on the subject. Every one felt that the awful moment -was at hand; and the assembled thousands stood uncovered in silent, -breathless, expectation. - -Those opposite the prison saw in the next moment the procession from -the interior of it reach the door through which the culprits were to -pass to expiate their crimes with their blood. - -The Ordinary ascended the platform, and at a quarter before eight -Thistlewood made his appearance on the scaffold. His step faultered a -little as he mounted the platform, and his countenance was somewhat -flushed and disordered on being conducted to the extremity of the drop. -His deportment was firm, and he looked round at the multitude with -perfect calmness. He had an orange in his hand. On the cap being placed -on his head, he desired that it might not be put over his eyes. While -the executioner was putting the rope round his neck, a person from the -top of the houses exclaimed, “Good Almighty bless you.” Thistlewood -nodded. The Reverend Mr. Cotton, by whom he was preceded, endeavoured -to obtain his attention; but he shook his head, and said, “No, no.” -He looked round repeatedly, as expecting to recognise some one in the -crowd, and appeared rather disconcerted at observing the distance to -which the populace were removed. - -Some of those to whom the face of Thistlewood was not familiar, -imagined that he gave proofs of the fear of death upon the scaffold, -but in this supposition they were much mistaken. At the moment that he -has been heard uttering his dangerous politics in safety, and declaring -his determination to stand or fall by them, the expression of his -features was the same; and Thistlewood with the rope round his neck was -the same Thistlewood that appeared so conspicuous at Smithfield. - -Mr. Cotton approached him while the executioner was making his awful -arrangements, and spoke to him upon the subject of his thoughts of -hereafter. Thistlewood shook his head, and said he required no earthly -help upon that subject. He then sucked his orange, and, looking down -at the officers who were collected about the scaffold, said, in a firm -voice, “I have but a few moments to live, and I hope the world will be -convinced that I have been sincere in my endeavours, and that I die a -friend to liberty.” - -The figure of the miserable man, which naturally was not good, had -undergone a change for the worse: in consequence of the pressure of -the rope with which his arms were fastened behind, his shoulders were -raised to a degree that closely approached deformity. The executioner -having placed the cap upon his head, and fastened the rope round the -beam, looked towards the Sheriff as a signal that his duties towards -Thistlewood were completed. - -While the executioner was performing his last offices without to this -wretched man, the scene within the Lodge was almost beyond the power of -description. The dreadful obduracy of Brunt and Ings filled with horror -the small assemblage of persons among whom they stood. - -Ings, with a hardihood almost indescribable, sucked an orange, with -which Sheriff Parkins had provided him, as well as all the other -prisoners, and sung, or rather screamed, in a discordant voice, “Oh! -give me death or liberty!” Brunt rejoined, “Aye, to be sure. It is -better to die free, than to live slaves!” - -A gentleman in the Lodge admonished them to consider their approaching -fate, and to recollect the existence of a Deity, into whose supreme -presence a few minutes would usher them. - -Brunt exclaimed, “I know there is a God!” and Ings added, “Yes, to be -sure; and I hope he will be more merciful to us than they are here.” - -Tidd, who had stood in silence, was now summoned to the scaffold. He -shook hands with all but Davidson, who had separated himself from the -rest. - -Ings again seized Tidd’s hand at the moment he was going out, and -exclaimed, with a burst of laughter, “Give us your hand! Good-bye!” - -A tear stood in Tidd’s eye, and his lips involuntarily muttered, “My -wife and----!” - -Ings proceeded--“Come my old cock-o’-wax, keep up your spirits; it all -will be over soon.” - -Tidd immediately squeezed his hand, and ran towards the stairs leading -to the scaffold. In his hurry, his foot caught the bottom step, and he -stumbled. He recovered himself, however, in an instant, and rushed upon -the scaffold, where he was immediately received with three cheers from -the crowd, in which he made a slight effort to join. - -The applause was evidently occasioned by the bold and fearless manner -in which the wretched man advanced to his station. He turned to the -crowd who were upon Snow-hill, and bowed to them. He then looked down -upon the coffins and smiled, and turning round to the people who were -collected in the Old-Bailey towards Ludgate-hill, bowed to them. -Several voices were again heard, and some in the crowd expressed their -admiration of Tidd’s conduct. - -The rope having been put round his neck, he told the executioner that -the knot would be better on the right than on the left side, and that -the pain of dying might be diminished by the change. He then assisted -the executioner, and turned round his head several times for the -purpose of fitting the rope to his neck. He afterwards familiarly -nodded to some one whom he recognised at a window, with an air of -cheerfulness. He also desired that the cap might not be put over his -eyes, but said nothing more. He likewise had an orange in his hand, -which he continued to suck most heartily. He soon became perfectly -calm, and remained so till the last moment of his life. - -In the interim, Davidson, who had not yet come out, leaned with -his back against a dresser in the lodge, and continued with his -hands clasped, praying in the most fervent manner, and calling with -unfeigned and unreserved piety for the intervention of the Redeemer. -Brunt and Ings, however, persevered in the same hardihood that they -had manifested throughout, and continued venting their thoughts in -unreserved ejaculations. - -A humane individual who stood by remonstrated with Brunt again, and -besought him to ask pardon of God. - -Brunt, with a fierce and savage air, surveyed his adviser -contemptuously, and exclaimed, “What have I done? I have done nothing! -What should I ask pardon for?” The stranger rejoined, “So you say, -Brunt; but if you have ever injured any man, or done any thing which -your conscience tells you is wrong, ask pardon of God, penitently -and sincerely, and you will, I have no doubt, obtain mercy.”--Brunt -replied, “I die with a perfectly clear conscience. I have made my peace -with God, and I never injured no man.” The stranger proceeded, “Believe -in the Lord Jesus Christ!” Brunt surveyed his humane adviser again, and -muttered, “My mind is made up.” - -“Well done, Brunt!” exclaimed Ings, and was again proceeding to sing, - - “Oh give me death or liberty,” - -when he was summoned to the scaffold. He turned to Brunt, and, with a -smile on his countenance, shook hands with him, and prepared to go. -While the hatch was opening, he exclaimed, with a loud voice, “Remember -me to King George the IVth; God bless him, and may he have a long -reign.” He now recollected that he had some clothes left behind, which -he requested might be given to his wife. The wretched man had thrown -off the clothes in which he had been tried, and had put on an old -butcher’s jacket, determining, as he said, “that Jack Ketch should -have no coat of his.” - -[Illustration: JAMES INGS. - -THOMAS BRUNT. - -_Wivell Delin^t._ _Cooper Sculp^t._] - -While he stood on the edge of the steps, at the door of the gaol, he -said to Davis, one of the turnkeys, “Well, Mr. Davis, I am going to -find out this great secret,” and then springing upon the scaffold, -exclaimed, “Good-bye! Gentlemen. Here goes the remains of an -unfortunate man.” - -He rushed to the platform, upon which he leaped and bounded in the most -frantic manner. Then turning himself round towards Smithfield, and -facing the very coffin that was soon to receive his mutilated body, -he raised his pinioned hands, in the best way he could, and leaning -forward with savage energy, roared out three distinct cheers to the -people, in a voice of the most frightful and discordant hoarseness. -But these unnatural yells of desperation, which were evidently nothing -but the ravings of a disordered mind, or the ebullitions of an assumed -courage, struck the majority of the vast multitude who heard them with -horror. - -Turning his face towards Ludgate-hill, he bowed, and cried out, “This -is going to be the last remains of James Ings,” and shouted out part -of the song in which the words _Death or Liberty_ are introduced. He -laughed upon looking at the coffins, and said, turning his back to -them, “I’ll turn my back upon death!--Is this the gallows they always -use? Those coffins are for us, I suppose.” - -Tidd, who stood next to him, and had the moment before been in -conversation with Thistlewood, turned about, and said, “Don’t, Ings. -There is no use in all this noise. We can die without making a noise.” -Ings was silent for a few moments; but as the executioner approached -him with the rope, he called out, “Do it well--pull it tight!” - -When the executioner threw the rope round the beam, he said, “Give me a -better fall; the others won’t have fall enough.” When the man put him -on the cap, Ings said, “I have got a cap of my own; put it over this -night-cap, and I’ll thank you.” The executioner proceeded to do so; but -Ings said, “It will do when we are going off: let me see as long as I -can.” He then pushed the cap from his eyes. The others had raised the -caps from their eyes. “Here I go, James Ings!” said he, “and let it be -known that I die an enemy to all tyrants. Ah ha! I see a good many of -my friends are on the houses.” - -Again Tidd turned round to Ings, and, as it appeared, at the suggestion -of Thistlewood, requested that he would not continue the noise. Ings -laughed and remained silent for a few minutes. - -Mr. Cotton approached Tidd and Ings, but they turned away from him. -Ings smiled at his interference, but Tidd turned round to Thistlewood -and spoke a few words, in which he seemed to complain of the -inclination of the Ordinary to break in upon their last moments. - -Thistlewood now said to Tidd, “We shall soon know the last grand -secret.” - -Brunt, who, after the departure of Ings, stood by himself within -the porch of the prison, having no companion of his own principles -to encourage him, (as Davidson stood far away from him,) muttered -something about the injustice of his fate. The persons around him -repeatedly entreated him to alter his religious creed, during the -last few moments left, and to believe in the Saviour of the world. -Still immutable--still hardened in iniquity--he listened not to -the remonstrances of sincere friends, who besought him, for his -wife’s sake, and for the sake of his son, to ask the protection -of the Redeemer for them; but he appeared tired of these friendly -importunities, and wished to ascend the scaffold next. - -Davidson, however, was summoned before him, and with a composed -countenance and a firm step he passed by his former companion in guilt -to his fate, without noticing him. - -Brunt now appeared considerably irritated. “What,” he exclaimed, “am I -to be the last? Why is this? They can have my blood but once, and why -am I to be kept to the last? But I suppose they are afraid I should say -something to the people, because I spoke my mind on the trial. However, -I don’t care.” - -Davidson walked up the platform with a firm and steady step, but with -all that respectful humility becoming the condition to which he had -reduced himself. He bowed to the crowd, and instantly joined Mr. Cotton -in prayer. He seemed inattentive to every thing but the journey he was -about to take, and his lips moved in prayer until he was no longer -able to speak. He made no request to have his eyes uncovered, but was -evidently preparing himself for bidding an eternal adieu to a world of -which he had ceased to be an inhabitant. - -Brunt was the last summoned to the fatal platform, and he rushed -upon it with impetuosity. Some of the people cheered him, which -evidently gratified and pleased him. It brought a sort of grin on his -countenance, which remained till his death. But his aspect “belied -his utterance.” Externally he appeared to have shrunk more from his -fate than any one of his wretched companions; his cheeks had sunk -extremely, giving a degree of ghostly prominence to a forehead, -cheek-bones, and chin, naturally very much protruded, and his colour -was of a livid paleness; but the eyes of the man sent forth from their -deep recesses glances of distressing keenness; his lips were firmly -compressed together; not a tear trickled down his cheeks; there was no -quaking of the members. To use an expressive phrase of his speech on -receiving sentence, “he went through with the business.” “What,” said -he, “soldiers! What do they do here? I see nothing but a military -government will do for this country, unless there are a good many such -as we are. I see a good many of my friends round about.” - -While the rope was being adjusted, he looked towards St. Sepulchre’s -Church, and perceiving, or affecting to perceive, some one with whom -he had been acquainted, he nodded several times, and then made an -inclination of the head towards the coffins, as if in derision of the -awful display. His conduct was marked by the same irrational levity to -the last. When his handkerchief was taken off, the stiffener fell out, -and he kicked it away, saying, “I shan’t want you any more.” - -His last act was to take a pinch of snuff from a paper which he held in -his hand. He stooped to put it to his nose, and this he was only able -to effect by pushing up the night-cap which hung over his face. He also -threw off his shoes. - - -The executioner was now proceeding to adjust the ropes, and to pull the -caps over the faces of the wretched men. A voice from the crowd again -called out, “God bless you, Thistlewood!” Thistlewood looked towards -the place from which it issued, and slightly inclined his head. He then -said a few words in a whisper to Tidd, and awaited his fate in silence. - -Brunt refused altogether to speak with Mr. Cotton upon the subject of -the next world, and declared that he had done all he thought necessary -for the place to which he was going. He appeared disposed to address -the crowd, but they were at too great a distance, and the executioner -was quick at his work. - -The cap was first drawn over the face of Thistlewood, and his cravat -was bound over his eyes. He stooped gently while the man tied it, and -appeared to direct him as to the way in which he wished it done. - -When the executioner came to Ings, the unhappy man said, “Now, old -gentleman, finish me tidily. Tie the handkerchief tight over my eyes. -Pull the rope tighter; it may slip.” - -When the handkerchief was tied over his eyes, he cried out, “I hope, -Mr. Cotton, you will give me a good character!” and commenced swinging -about in his hand an old night-cap in the most careless manner. - -Tidd’s lips were in motion just before he was turned off, as if in -prayer. Davidson was in the most fervent prayer, and seemed to feel his -situation with a becoming spirit. He firmly pressed the hand of the -Rev. Mr. Cotton. - -The executioner having completed the details of his awful duty, by -placing the criminals in a proper situation upon the trap-door, walked -down the ladder, and left Mr. Cotton alone upon the scaffold. The -Reverend Gentleman standing closer to Davidson than to any of the rest, -began to read those awful sentences which have sounded last in the ears -of so many unhappy men. Suddenly the platform fell, and the agonies of -death were exhibited to the view of the crowd in their most terrific -form. - -Thistlewood struggled slightly for a few minutes, but each effort was -more faint than that which preceded; and the body soon turned round -slowly, as if upon the motion of the hand of death. - -Tidd, whose size gave cause to suppose that he would “pass” with little -comparative pain, scarcely moved after the fall. The struggles of Ings -were great. The assistants of the executioner pulled his legs with all -their might; and even then the reluctance of the soul to part from its -native seat was to be observed in the vehement efforts of every part of -the body. Davidson, after three or four heaves, became motionless; but -Brunt suffered extremely, and considerable exertions were made by the -executioners and others to shorten his agonies, by pulling and hanging -upon his legs. However, in the course of five minutes all was still. - - -THE DECAPITATION. - -Exactly half an hour after they had been turned off, the order was -given to cut the bodies down. The executioner immediately ascended the -scaffold, and drew the legs of the sufferers up, and placed the dead -men, who were still suspended, in a sitting position, with their feet -towards Ludgate-hill. This being done, the trap-door was again put -up, and the platform restored to its original state. The executioner -proceeded to cut Thistlewood down; and, with the aid of an assistant, -lifted the body into the first coffin, laying it on the back, and -placing the head over the end of the coffin, so as to bring the neck on -the edge of the block. The rope was then drawn from the neck, and the -cap was removed from the face. - -The last convulsions of expiring life had thrown a purple hue over the -countenance, which gave it a most ghastly and appalling appearance; but -no violent distortion of feature had taken place. An axe was placed on -the scaffold, but this was not used. - -When the rope had been removed, and the coat and waistcoat forced down, -so as to leave the neck exposed, a person wearing a black mask, which -extended to his mouth, over which a coloured handkerchief was tied, -and his hat slouched down, so as to conceal part of the mask, and -attired in a blue jacket and dark-grey trowsers, mounted the scaffold -with a small knife in his hand, similar to what is used by surgeons in -amputation, and, advancing to the coffin, proceeded to sever the head -from the body. - -[Illustration: THE EXECUTION OF THE CATO STREET CONSPIRATORS May 1, -1820.] - -When the crowd perceived the knife applied to the throat of -Thistlewood, they raised a shout, in which exclamations of horror and -of reproach were mingled. The tumult seemed to disconcert the person -in the mask for the moment; but, upon the whole, he performed the -operation with dexterity; and, having handed the head to the assistant -executioner, who waited to receive it, he immediately retired, pursued -by the hootings of the mob. - -The assistant executioner, holding the head by the hair over the -forehead, exhibited it from the side of the scaffold nearest -Newgate-street. A person attended on the scaffold, who dictated to -the executioner what he was to say; and he exclaimed with a loud -voice--“This is the head of Arthur Thistlewood, the traitor!” A -thrilling sensation was produced on the spectators by the display of -this ghastly object, and the hissings and hootings of part of the mob -were vehemently renewed. - -The same ceremony was repeated in front of the scaffold, and on the -side nearest Ludgate-street. The head was then placed at the foot of -the coffin; while the body, before lifted up to bring the neck on the -block, was forced lower down, and, this done, the head was again put in -its proper place, at the upper end of the coffin, which was left open. - -The block was then moved by the hangman, and placed at the head of -the second coffin. The cap and rope were removed from the face and -neck of Tidd. The same livid hue which overspread the countenance of -Thistlewood was perceptible. - -The coat and waistcoat being pulled down, the masked executioner again -came forward. He was received with groans, and cries of “Shoot that ----- murderer;” “Bring out Edwards,” _&c._ He seemed less disconcerted -than at first, and performed the operation with great expedition, and, -having handed the head to the person who had before received that of -Thistlewood, he retired amidst yells and execrations. - -The assistant executioner then advanced to the side of the scaffold, -from which the former head was first exhibited, holding the head -between both hands by the cheeks, the forehead of Tidd being bald, and -exclaiming, “This is the head of Richard Tidd, the traitor.” The same -words were also repeated from the other two sides of the scaffold, and -the head was then deposited with the body in the second coffin. - -The block was now removed to the third coffin, and the body of Ings, -being cut down, was placed in it with the face upwards. The person -in the mask again came forward, severed the head from the body, and -retired amidst the hootings of the crowd. The assistant-executioner -proceeded to exhibit the head, holding it up by the hair in the same -way as he had Thistlewood’s, from the three sides of the scaffold, -exclaiming, “This is the head of James Ings, the traitor.” The head was -then placed in the coffin. - -The block being removed to the fourth coffin, the body of Davidson was -taken down from the gallows, the noose taken from about the neck, and -the cap removed from the face, which remained in death exactly what it -had been while living. The mouth was a little open, but no expression -of agony, or change of colour, could be remarked. The body was placed -in the fourth coffin, and the man in the mask having performed his -part, the head was exhibited in the same way as the last, with the -exclamation, “This is the head of William Davidson, the traitor.” - -Little or no blood had fallen from the other heads, but from this it -fell profusely. The hisses and groans of the crowd were repeated -on this occasion, while the head was deposited in the coffin which -contained the sufferer’s body. - -The executioner and his assistant now proceeded to cut down the last -of the sufferers, Brunt. The block was placed at the head of the fifth -coffin. The blood which had stained the block was wiped off with the -saw-dust, and, the rope being cut, they attempted to lift the body to -the place where the last part of the sentence was to be executed, when -it was found that in putting up the platform part of his clothing had -been shut in with it, and held him so tight, that a considerable effort -was necessary to disengage the remains of the wretched culprit. He was -placed in the fifth coffin. - -His miserable and cadaverous countenance presented but a ghastly -spectacle while he was alive; but dead, its aspect was little less -than terrific; and the dark hair which overhung his forehead came in -frightful contrast with the purple hue produced by the agonies of death. - -The masked executioner, while performing his duty, happened to let the -head fall from his hands on the saw-dust. The howlings and groans of -the spectators were again heard at that moment, and amidst these the -operator retired, having first handed the discoloured “trunkless ball” -to the assistant executioner, who advancing, as in each of the other -cases, first to the side of the scaffold nearest Giltspur-street, then -to the front, and lastly to the side looking towards the Felons’-door, -proclaimed aloud, “This is the head of John Thomas Brunt, the traitor.” -His head was then placed in the coffin, and thus terminated this part -of the awful business of that memorable day. - - -The execution occupied an hour and eight minutes. It was a quarter -before eight when Thistlewood walked up the steps leading to the fatal -platform; and it wanted seven minutes to nine when the head of Brunt -was placed in the coffin. - -From the manner in which the last part of the execution was performed -very little blood was seen on the scaffold. The bodies being placed -almost in a sitting attitude in their coffins, the blood could not flow -copiously from them at the moment the heads were taken off. It was not -till they were laid in a horizontal position that the vital stream -could escape freely from the heart. - -The person who wore the mask, and who performed the ceremony of -decapitation, is said to be the same person who beheaded Despard and -his associates. This, however, may be doubted, as, from the quickness -and spring of his motions, he seemed to be a young man. His mode of -operation showed evidently that he was a surgeon. In performing his -dreadful duty, the edge of the first knife was turned by the vertebræ -of Thistlewood, and two others became necessary to enable him to finish -his heart-appalling task. - -The coffins containing the remains of the sufferers were left on the -scaffold but for a few minutes after the sentence of the law had been -carried into effect. While there they continued open. At nine o’clock -they were conveyed into the prison by the Debtors’-door, and this -dreadful scene being thus ended, the crowd began peaceably to separate. - - -In such an immense assemblage, as might be expected, some accidents -occurred through the dreadful pressure of the crowd. Some women (and -it is painful to record that many women were among the crowd) were -brought out fainting, and a boy was severely hurt by the falling of a -part of the railing in front of St. Sepulchre’s church. The persons -whose weight brought down the railing from the stone base in which it -was planted, were thrown on the shoulders of those beneath them, and -caused great confusion at the moment, but no more serious accidents -occurred than the injury received by the boy above-mentioned. - - -In addition to the military arrangements on this awful occasion, which -we have incidentally mentioned, it was thought necessary to adopt -the following precautionary measures, that should any thing like a -breach of the peace be attempted, it might be crushed in its infancy; -and it is a pleasing part of our duty here to record the prudence -which gave rise to these measures, the very excellent and effectual -manner in which they were carried into execution, and, above all, the -exemplary conduct of the soldiers who were on duty throughout the -morning, although they were at times severely, and indeed unavoidably -pressed upon by the crowd. The Life Guards were incessantly attentive -to prevent their horses from doing any injury, while occasionally -driven out of their position by the momentary agitation of the persons -immediately near them. - -At a very early hour, the neighbourhood of Blackfriars-bridge, being -the place appointed for the rendezvous of a considerable number of -troops, presented a very novel spectacle. At five o’clock in the -morning, six light field-pieces of flying artillery arrived in front -of the livery stables, near Christ Church, escorted by the usual -complement of men. They drew up in the centre of the street, and -remained there until after the execution took place. - -At a still earlier hour, three troops of the Life Guards arrived in the -neighbourhood of Newgate; one troop and a picquet remained near the -scaffold; another picquet was stationed in Ludgate-hill, facing the Old -Bailey; and the remaining troop drew up in Bridge-street. - -The moment the prisoners were about to be brought out to the scaffold, -an officer rode from his station in front of Newgate, communicated -with the picquet on Ludgate-hill, and then rode on to the troop in -Bridge-street, to whom he immediately gave the word of command to -advance. The troop instantly followed the officer, and proceeded -onwards until they joined the picquet on Ludgate-hill, with which they -halted, and formed in a line, still facing the Old Bailey. - -The flying artillery, near Christ Church, also made a movement in -advance just at the same time, and formed a crescent across the road; -the guns pointing towards the bridge. - -The City Light Horse were under arms, in their barracks in -Gray’s-Inn-lane, and a number of troops were stationed at various -depôts, assigned them at convenient intervals throughout the metropolis. - -A little before ten, the multitude having completely dispersed, the -detachments marched off to their respective barracks. - - -DISPOSAL OF THE BODIES. - -On the day of execution the friends of the families of the unfortunate -men who were executed met at a public-house, and after some discussion -upon the subject of raising a subscription for the wives and children -of those who were transported, as well as of those who were hanged, -adopted a resolution to apply through Lord Sidmouth for leave to take -away the bodies of the deceased from Newgate. - -The following petition was accordingly drawn up, in the names of the -widows of the wretched criminals, and forwarded to Lord Sidmouth, to be -by him delivered to his majesty: - -_To His Most Gracious Majesty the King._ - - - “SIRE, - - “The Petition of Susan Thistlewood, Mary Tidd, Mary Brunt, Celia - Ings, and Sarah Davidson, humbly sheweth, That your Petitioners - are the widows of the unfortunate men who this morning suffered - the dreadful sentence of the law at the Old Bailey. - - “Your petitioners most earnestly entreat your Majesty to grant - them one consolation, by restoring to them the mangled remains - of their late unfortunate husbands, that they, your petitioners, - may shed a silent tear over their mutilated remains, ere they are - consigned to the tomb. - - “We are confident that all desire of further vengeance has ceased, - and that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to order the - restoration of the bodies to your humble Petitioners, that they - may have them decently interred; and your Petitioners will, as in - duty bound, for ever pray, _&c._ - - (Signed) - “SUSAN THISTLEWOOD, - “MARY TIDD, - “MARY BRUNT, - “CELIA INGS, - “SARAH DAVIDSON.” - - -The petition was accompanied by a request to his Lordship that the -bodies might be given up to the friends of the deceased, and stating, -that the object was the humane one of raising the means of support for -the wives and children by a public exhibition. - -It is almost unnecessary to state that Lord Sidmouth did not hesitate -to refuse the request, a compliance with which would be attended with -great inconvenience at least. His lordship stated, in the mildest -terms, the impossibility of granting it, contrary as such compliance -would be to established usage. - -At a late hour in the evening, the wives of the executed men were -informed by the keeper of Newgate, that the bodies of their husbands -were buried. - -In the course of the afternoon a channel had been dug alongside of the -subterraneous passage that leads to the cells, and, about seven in -the evening, after the coffins had been filled with quick lime, they -were strongly screwed up, placed in a line with each other, strewed -over with earth, and finally covered with stones, and of course no -trace of their end remains for any future public observation. On this -circumstance being communicated to their unhappy wives, they were -entirely overcome by the poignancy of their feelings. - -On the following morning an individual petition was forwarded to the -Privy-Council on the part of Mrs. Thistlewood, and was presented to -his Majesty, for the body of her husband. A laconic answer was almost -immediately returned, “That Thistlewood was buried.” - - -_Transportation of the respited Traitors, Discharge of the suspected -Persons, &c._ - -VERY early in the morning of Tuesday, the 2d of May, the day following -the execution of their partners in crime, five of the respited -traitors, namely, Wilson, Harrison, Cooper, Strange, and Bradburn, were -removed from Newgate in three post-chaises, and conveyed under a proper -escort to Portsmouth, where they were put on board a convict-ship, -which soon after sailed for New South Wales. - -Gilchrist was still detained in Newgate, but it was expected his -confinement would not be of long duration; the peculiar circumstances -of his case having excited a feeling of mercy towards him. - -On Saturday the 6th of May, the following persons, whose arrests on -suspicion we have previously mentioned, were placed at the bar of the -Old Bailey, previous to the adjournment of the court, _viz._ Thomas -Preston, William Simmons, Abel Hall, Robert George, William Firth, and -William Hazard. The prisoners being addressed by order of the court, -and informed that, as no prosecutors appeared against them, they were -discharged, bowed respectfully, and departed, with the exception of -Preston, who made an attempt to address the Court, but was immediately -silenced. - - -We have now completed, as far as the individuals arrested were -concerned, our narration of the whole of the proceedings relative -to the horrid conspiracy, which at one time threatened such awful -consequences; but as many circumstances connected with the personal -history of the conspirators have been brought to light in the course of -the proceedings, which could not well be interwoven in the history of -their crimes, we have added in an APPENDIX such particulars respecting -the principal actors in this dreadful tragedy, as we have been able to -collect, from a conviction that every circumstance connected with the -lives of the ferocious criminals will be considered as interesting. - -The infamous Spy and instigator, GEORGE EDWARDS, has also been -frequently named as playing a very prominent part in this horrid -drama, and, independent of the disclosures of his criminal conduct, -incidentally made in the course of the judicial proceedings against the -conspirators, the answers given by Thistlewood to the questions put to -him by Mr. Alderman Wood, on the morning of the fatal first of May, -imparted a certain degree of interest to every circumstance connected -with that vile character, and a feeling of indignation, horror, and -disgust, was excited in the public mind relative to this consummate -villain, which had never been equalled but in the sensation caused by -the first discovery of the plot itself. - -Consonant with these feelings were the proceedings instituted by Mr. -Alderman Wood, both in and out of Parliament, for the apprehension and -bringing to trial of this worthless wretch on charges of diverse acts -of high treason alleged to have been committed by him; and although we -stop not to inquire whether the protection from the consequences of his -crimes, experienced by this fellow, be justifiable, or otherwise, we -shall certainly be rendering an acceptable service to society and to -future generations, in tracing this serpent through all his intricate -paths of villany, and cautioning the thoughtless and unsuspecting from -becoming the dupes of similar villains, (if any such exist) in their -intemperate moments of political animosity. - -With this view we have collected all the particulars attainable of the -conduct of this arch-fiend both in public or private, as an appropriate -addition to the lives of his partners in crime, and, perhaps, in some -respects, the victims of his villany. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[2] See Newgate Calendar, Vol. 3. - -[3] See Newgate Calendar, Vol. 2. - - - - -APPENDIX: - -CONTAINING - - _Brief Sketches of the Lives of the Executed Conspirators, with - copies of their Letters; an account of the infamous George - Edwards, the Spy; the efforts made to bring him to justice, and - the Parliamentary Proceedings thereon; with other particulars - relating to the Conspiracy._ - - -ARTHUR THISTLEWOOD. - -In page 70, of the preceding narrative, we have briefly touched on the -history of this ill-fated man, and we now add some further particulars -relating to him. - -Very early in life he manifested idle and unsettled habits, and -remained a burden on his family until the period of his obtaining a -commission in the Militia, soon after which he married a young lady of -property; but even that step, so promising in the outset, was pregnant -with future troubles. Thistlewood had supposed her fortune to be at -her own disposal, but it was in fact so settled, that she received -the interest only during her life, and the principal, at her death, -reverted to her relations. Sixteen months after their marriage, she -died in child-bed, and Thistlewood was left almost without a shilling -of her property. - - * * * * * * * * * * - -In London he formed an acquaintance with a number of young military -officers; was introduced into all the vices and dissipation of the -metropolis, and gave loose to his passion for intrigue and gaming. On -one night he was filched by a notorious black leg, and some of his -companions, at one of the _Hells_, in the neighbourhood of St. James’s, -of upwards of 2,000_l._ His money being nearly all gone, he fled in -despair. Legal proceedings were commenced to recover the amount; but, -owing to some informality in the pleadings, it was not recovered; and, -soon after, those who had pigeoned him left the kingdom. - - * * * * * * * * * * - -In France his evil genius still followed him; on one occasion, having -an improper passport, he was detained by the police, and during his -detention, a circumstance occurred which produced him a long period of -confinement. He had always expressed himself a hater of oppression and -injustice. An Englishman, named Heely, was arrested for being without -a passport, and conveyed to the same prison where Thistlewood was -confined. Upon Thistlewood and Heely receiving orders from Paris for -their liberation, Heely used some insulting language to the officer -who brought him to prison; the officer struck him with a cane, and -Thistlewood knocked the officer down with his clenched fist. - -In consequence of this outrage, they were thrown into close -confinement, and lay there for several weeks before they were able to -obtain their final liberation. - -Thistlewood having obtained a passport, then went to Paris, having -sufficient knowledge of the French language to be able to converse. He -entered the French service, and was present during the perpetration of -numberless atrocities by the French troops. - -Although a man of but middling talent, he had a considerable knowledge -of military tactics; was an excellent swordsman, and always fearless -of death. - -He entered a regiment of French grenadiers, and was at the battle of -Zurich, commanded by General ----. - -After a variety of adventures in France and on different parts of -the Continent, he returned to England, and became possessed of a -considerable estate, by the death of a relation; which he subsequently -sold to a gentleman at Durham for 10,000_l._ - -He felt inclined to settle himself, and courted Miss Wilkinson of -Horncastle. The gentleman to whom he sold his estate, instead of paying -him the money, gave him an annuity bond, agreeing to pay him 850_l._ -per annum for a number of years. In eighteen months this purchaser -became a bankrupt, and Thistlewood was again reduced, not to want or -poverty, but his finances were at a low ebb. - -Thistlewood’s father and brother, both of whom now reside and are most -respectable farmers in the neighbourhood of Horncastle, assisted him -to take a farm; he continued to occupy it till he found he was losing -annually a considerable sum, in consequence of the high rent and taxes, -and farming produce being very low; he then parted with it. He came -with his present wife and son to London, and formed an acquaintance -with the Spenceans. - -The Evanses were his constant companions; he took young Evans to -France, paying all expenses for near twelve months; and since his -return his history is but too well recorded in the annals of crime. - -The son who took an affecting leave of him in prison, is not the -offspring of the first marriage, but a natural child of Thistlewood’s, -whom his second wife (the present widow) took under her care shortly -after her marriage, and to whom she has shown great kindness. By the -widow he had no issue. - -The following lines are said to have been written by him while under -sentence of death in Newgate:-- - - - Oh what a twine of mischief is a Statesman! - Ye furies! whirlwinds! and ye treach’rous rocks! - Ye ministers of death! devouring fires! - Convulsive earthquakes! and plague-tainted air! - Ye are all mild and merciful to him!! - - - -RICHARD TIDD - -Was born at Grantham, in Lincolnshire. His age at the time of his -execution was forty-five. He was apprenticed to Mr. Cante, of Grantham, -but quitted his situation at sixteen years of age. He then went to -Nottingham, where he lived two years and a half; from thence he came -to London, where he resided several years. He thought it prudent to -retreat into Scotland in 1803, and he stopped there for five years. - -This flight was made in consequence of his having voted for Sir Francis -Burdett, at the Middlesex election, when the Honourable Baronet was -opposed by Mr. Mainwaring. Tidd swore that he was a freeholder--the -fact being otherwise, and fled to avoid prosecution for perjury. A -reward of 100_l._ was offered for his apprehension. - -On his return from the north, he went to live at Rochester, and for -nine years worked at his trade of shoemaker in that town. He was -engaged in the conspiracy for which Colonel Despard suffered; but a -temporary absence from town preserved him from sharing the same fate. - -His last stay in town commenced on the 10th of March, 1818. From that -time he attended all Mr. Hunt’s meetings, public and private, and was -present at all the subsequent Radical meetings. He was introduced to -Edwards by Brunt, at his own residence, Hole-in-the-Wall Passage, -Baldwin’s-gardens. Edwards’s assumed violence suited his disposition, -and he eagerly closed with every proposition, however desperate. - -It was a most extraordinary circumstance that he had constantly an -impression on his mind, for the last twenty years, that he was to be -hanged. He frequently expressed to his wife that he should die on the -gallows, who felt distressed at his entertaining such an idea, but he -would still persist that such would be his fate. He was unhappily too -good a prophet, and thus a life of irregularity terminated in the most -ignominious manner. - -Mrs. Tidd is a very decent woman; Tidd has left a brother and one -daughter to deplore his fate. - -Tidd, during the war, enlisted into more than half of the regiments -under the crown, and received the different bounties. It is astonishing -how he escaped detection; he was always in disguise when he enlisted, -and, as soon as he had obtained the bounty, he deserted. When he had -spent the money, he enlisted into another regiment. - -It will be evident from this account, that the statements of his -uniform good character and conduct published at the period of his first -arrest, for the crime of which he was ultimately found guilty on an -impartial trial by a Jury of his countrymen, were put forth by some -zealous friend to produce a favourable impression on the public mind in -his behalf. - - -JAMES INGS - -Was a native of Hampshire. His relations were respectable tradesmen. He -has left a wife and four children. Ings was a butcher at Portsmouth, -and at the time of his marriage had a handsome property, consisting of -several houses, and some money in the funds. - -Trade growing bad at the termination of the war, and his property -having decreased, some of his tenements were sold, and he came up to -London about eighteen months ago, with a little ready money, produced -by the sale of a house, and opened a butcher’s-shop at the west-end -of the town. He could, however, get no business, and in a few months -gave up the shop, and, with a few pounds he had left, he opened a -coffee-shop in Whitechapel. - -Business becoming dull there, he was involved in great distress, and at -last was compelled to pawn his watch to enable him to send his wife and -children down to Portsmouth to her friends, to prevent their starving -in London. - -At the coffee-house in Whitechapel he sold, besides coffee, political -pamphlets, with which he was supplied by Carlile, of Fleet-street. -Having given up the shop, and finding that there was no prospect of -supporting himself and his family with credit, he gave himself up to -despair. He had read the different Deistical publications during the -time he sold political pamphlets, and, from being a churchman, he -became a confirmed Deist. - -He was a most affectionate husband and father; and his desperate -situation, no doubt, was a principal cause of his joining the -Cato-street plot. - -Edwards, Adams, Thistlewood, and Brunt, had frequently visited Ings -during the time he kept the coffee and political-pamphlet shop, -and when he was in more desperate circumstances, he became a fitter -companion for persons engaged in such an atrocious crime as the one for -which he suffered the sentence of the law. - -For some weeks before the Cato-street discovery, Ings was in the utmost -distress, quite pennyless, and the money he was supplied with to -subsist upon was given him by George Edwards. Ings was also supplied -with money by the same person to take an apartment, where arms and -ammunition could be safely placed. He took a room in the house where -Brunt lodged, and thither the greater part of the ammunition and arms -was conveyed by Edwards, Adams, and himself; indeed, it was the depôt -of the conspirators. - - -The following Letters were written by Ings in Newgate, the night before -his execution: - - -TO HIS WIFE. - -“My dear Celia,--I hardly know how to begin, or what to say, for the -laws of tyrants have parted us for ever. My dear, this is the last time -you will ever hear from me. I hope you will perform your duty without -delay, which is for the benefit of yourself and children, which I have -explained to you before. My dear, of the anxiety and regard I have for -you and the children, I know not how to explain myself; but I must die -according to law, and leave you in a land full of corruption, where -justice and liberty has taken their flight from, to other distant -shores. My dear, I have heard men remark that they would not marry a -widow, not without her husband was hanged. Now, my dear, I hope you -will bear in mind that the cause of my being consigned to the scaffold -was a pure motive. - -“I thought I should have rendered my starving fellow-men, women, and -children a service; and my wish is, when you make another choice, that -this question you will put before you tie the fatal knot. My dear, -it is of no use for me to make remarks respecting my children. I am -convinced you will do your duty as far as lies in your power. My dear, -your leaving me but a few hours before I wrote these few lines, I have -nothing more to say. Farewell! farewell, my dear wife and children, for -ever! Give my love to your mother and Elizabeth. I conclude a constant -lover to you and your children, and all friends. I die the same, but an -enemy to all tyrants. - -“JAMES INGS.” - -“PS. My dear wife, give my love to my father and mother, brother -and sisters, and aunt Mary, and beg of them to think nothing of my -unfortunate fate; for I am gone out of a very troublesome world, and I -hope you will let it pass like a summer cloud over the earth.” - -“Newgate, 4 o’clock, Sunday afternoon, -April 30, 1820.” - - -TO HIS DAUGHTERS. - -“To my dear daughters.--My dear little girls, receive my kind love and -affection, once more, for ever; and adhere to these my sincere wishes, -and recollect though in a short time you will hear nothing more of your -father, let me entreat you to be loving, kind, and obedient, to your -poor mother, and strive all in your powers to comfort her, and assist -her whilst you exist in this transitory world, and let your conduct -throughout life be that of virtue, honesty, and industry; and endeavour -to avoid all temptation, and at the same time put your trust in God. I -hope unity, peace, and concord, will remain amongst you all. Farewell! -farewell, my dear children! Your unfortunate father, - -“JAMES INGS.” - -“To Wm. Stone Ings, -and his Sisters.” - - -TO HIS SON. - -“My little dear boy, Wm. Stone Ings, I hope you will live to read these -few lines when the remains of yr. poor father is mouldered to dust. -My dr. boy, I hope you will bear in mind the unfortunate end of your -father, and not place any confidence in any person or persons whatever; -for the deception, the corruption, and the ingenuity in man I am at a -loss to comprehend: it is beyond all calculation. My dear boy, I hope -you will make a bright man in society; and, it appears to me, the road -you ought to pursue is, to be honest, sober, industrious, and upright, -in all your dealings; and to do unto all men as you would they should -do unto you. My dear boy, put your trust in one God; and be cautious -of every shrewd, designing, flattering tongue. My dear boy, be a good, -kind, and obedient child to your poor mother, and comfort her, and be a -loving brother to your sisters. My dear boy, I sincerely hope and trust -you will regard these my last instructions. Yr. loving and unforte. -father, - -“JAMES INGS.” - -“Newgate, Sunday Night, 8 o’clock, -April 30, 1820.” - - -The following petition to the King was written by Ings, the day -previous to his execution, it contains a repetition of some of the -facts urged by him in his defence, but of course produced no effect in -his favour. - - -THE HUMBLE PETITION OF JAMES INGS, TO THE KING. - -I was born near Waltham, in Hampshire, but I have lived ever since I -was about fifteen years of age at Portsea, and every one that knows -me knew no harm of me; and the masters that I have lived with sent me -a character for me to give to the Jury, but the Jury never saw the -character. - -I married a girl that I loved, and she had a little property, and I -continued working till I could get nothing to do, and I went into -business, and it turned out very unfortunately, and I lost a great -deal of money, not through drinking and gambling, for I never went to -a public-house in my life but to smoke my pipe, or for the sake of -company. I can assure your most gracious Majesty, that I never was -tipsey but three times in my life, and that was not through the love of -liquor. - -The times being so very bad at Portsea, and I had nothing to do, me -and my wife made up our minds to come to London: me and my family -left Portsea the beginning of May 1819. I thought when I came to town -I should get a situation, but to my sad disappointment I soon found -all my hopes was blasted. I tried every means I was master of to get -employ for the support my family: I did not know how to act, for it was -not my intention when I came to town to enter into business, I had a -little money by me, for me and my wife mortgaged her property--a house -I mean--to the full value of it, if it was to be sold now. - -I went and took a butcher’s shop in Baker’s-row, Whitechapel-road, and -I carried on business from Midsummer to Michaelmas. When I came to look -over my little stock of money, I found it was very much reduced, and -the summer being so very hot, was very much against me; and after I -had paid my rent, and a few little bills beside, my money was nearly -all gone. - -I left Baker’s-row at Michaelmas, and I took a house in Old -Montague-street, Brick-lane, and I fitted it up for a coffee-house, -and then my money was gone. It did not turn out to my expectation, for -I did not take money enough, if it had been all profit, to keep my -family. I persuaded my wife to return to Portsea with the children: the -reason was, I thought she had better be among her friends without money -than in London. - -I remained in the house a short time after my wife had left me: there -was a man used to come frequently and take a cup of coffee, and he -used to enter into conversation about the Manchester massacre, and -Government, _&c._ I did not make but very little reply, for I took him -to be some officer. - -After I had left my house, I met him in Smithfield-market; he said I -have caught you out, I shall make you stand treat. I am sorry it is -not in my power, for I am very short at present; if I do not get some -work very shortly, I must sell my few things. What have you to sell? -A sofa-bedstead--it is the best piece of furniture I have. I should -like to see it; if I like it I will buy it, and give you as much as -any person will. I took him to my lodging, No. 20, Primrose-street, -Bishopsgate, and shewed him my sofa, but it did not suit him, and he -took me to a friend of his, a broker, to buy my sofa, but it did not -suit him, and we parted early in January. - -I met him in Fleet-market, and he asked me how I did? I told him I was -very low in spirits: come, he says, have a glass of gin--that will rise -your spirits. No, I thank you, I never drink so soon in the morning. -We walked up Fleet-street, and we went and bought the very sword that -was produced in the Court, and I took it to the cutler’s, and I left my -name. - -If I had known at that time what was going to be done, I am sure I -should not have left my name. He took me to the White Hart, and gave me -beef-steaks, _&c._ for my dinner, and I thought he was the best friend -I had, for he used to give me victuals and drink when I was very short; -and this was Edwards that introduced me to the party, which I never -should have known if it had not been for him. - -There have been a great deal more said about me in the Court than is -true, but it is of no use for me to try to contradict what has been -said. I never was at a political meeting in my life not before this -time, and I can assure you it was through Edwards, and the anxiety for -my wife and family, which brought me to this sad unfortunate situation. -I can assure your most high and mighty and gracious Sovereign, that I -have been a true and faithful subject till now, but being in distress, -and hearing the language I did, when irritated, took advantage of my -distressed situation. - -I know not what to say or how to address a King, but I hope your most -gracious Majesty will spare my life--life for the sake of family--for I -was not the inventor of this plot. - -I shall in future, if your most gracious Majesty spare my life, be a -true and faithful subject. - -JAMES INGS. - - -WILLIAM DAVIDSON - -Was born in the year 1786, at Kingston, in Jamaica. His father was Mr. -Attorney-General Davidson, a man of considerable legal knowledge and -talent. He had several children. - -William, his second son, was sent to England when very young, for the -purpose of receiving an education suitable to the rank of his father, -and his own prospects. His mother was a native of the West-Indies, a -woman of colour: she opposed her son being sent to England; but her -husband was resolved: he wished William to be brought up to his own -profession--the law. William was therefore sent to Edinburgh to be -educated. - -Having learned the first rudiments of education, he was sent to the -academy of Dr. ----, where he studied mathematics. Having left school, -he went to his father’s agent, a friend who resided near Liverpool. - -After some time he was apprenticed to a respectable attorney at -Liverpool, at whose office he remained near three years, when he became -tired of confinement. He had for some time felt great inclination to go -to sea, and the captain of a vessel, to whom he disclosed his wishes -upon the subject, promised to take him out as his clerk on his next -voyage. - -Without taking leave of the gentleman to whom he was articled, he -entered on board the merchant vessel, and soon had cause to repent, for -after the vessel had left the port, he was compelled by the captain to -perform duty. - -On the voyage a king’s ship stopped the vessel, and impressed -Davidson and many of the crew. He arrived in England about six months -afterwards, and wrote to his father’s friend a supplicatory letter. -His father’s friend sent for him, and at his own particular desire, -apprenticed him to a cabinet-maker, in Liverpool. - -Davidson was a personable young man, and was upon the point of marriage -to the daughter of a respectable tradesman at Liverpool; but her -friends sent her off, and prevented the match taking place. Davidson -being somewhat disappointed, determined to leave England, and to visit -his relatives at Kingston, in Jamaica. - -He took a passage on board of a West India merchantman, and on his -voyage again experienced the misfortune of being impressed into the -King’s service. He took the first opportunity of running away from the -vessel on its arrival in port, and having obtained some money from his -friends, he got work at his trade as a journeyman. - -About twelve months after, his mother allowed him two guineas per week, -which was paid him regularly through her agent. Davidson was employed -by Mr. Bullock, a cabinet-maker at Litchfield. He was a most excellent -workman, and was able to get three or four guineas a week, being a -man of considerable taste in his profession, and chiefly employed in -fitting up the houses of noblemen and gentlemen in the neighbourhood. - -With his mother’s allowance he was able to live and dress very -genteelly; and the company he kept was highly respectable. By some -accident he met a young lady of the name of Salt, who resided at -Litchfield; she was only sixteen years of age. She imbibed a strong -regard for Davidson, and, unknown to her family, she allowed him to -visit her. Miss Salt had at her own disposal, when of age, the sum of -7,000_l._ She communicated to her mother her passion for Davidson. Her -mother objected to it; but finding that nothing could wean her from her -attachment, she consented to allow Davidson to visit her daughter. - -He frequently paid visits unknown to the young lady’s father: the -latter, however, at length obtained information of these clandestine -interviews, and laid wait for him; and, as he entered the garden late -one evening, he fired a pistol at his head, and the ball it contained -passed through Davidson’s hat. A constable was sent for, and Davidson -was taken before a magistrate, charged with attempting to commit a -robbery; but upon Davidson stating the simple facts of the case, -precisely as it occurred, that he was courting the daughter, with -the privity of Mrs. Salt, though against the desire of Mr. Salt, he -immediately set Davidson at liberty, and committed Mr. Salt to prison -for shooting at him. - -While Mr. Salt was in prison, he sent for Davidson, and promised him -his daughter, if he would not prosecute him. Davidson did not appear -against him, and he was set at liberty. - -Mr. Salt afterwards repented of his promise, and, to evade the pledge -he had given, he told Davidson that he would not object if he would -only wait till she was of age. Davidson communicated to Miss Salt the -wish of her father. She replied, “You know my sentiments towards you -now. I cannot say, if I remain single till I am of age, what they may -be then;” and expressed herself angry that Davidson should be inclined -to agree to her father’s proposal for deferring their union. Davidson -had previously written to Jamaica, to his mother, and informed her of -his intended union, and she had remitted 1200_l._ to a banking house in -London, and placed it at his disposal. - -Miss Salt was sent by her father to see a relative in a distant part -of the country, and before she had been many months there, she married -another suitor. - -Davidson, who had entertained very great affection for the lady, upon -hearing that she had broken her faith with him, went to a chemist’s -shop at Litchfield, and in a fit of despair, purchased some poison, -and took it; he had not swallowed it long before he communicated to -a friend the rash act he had committed, when the latter immediately -procured a powerful antidote, which Davidson took, and which destroyed -the effect of the poison in a great degree, though he was unwell for -a considerable time after. When he recovered, he left the place, and -took a large house near Birmingham. - -With the money his mother had sent him he entered into an extensive way -of business; but being, from the disappointment in his marriage with -Miss Salt, rendered quite unsettled in his mind, he did not attend to -his business, and in a short time the whole of his money was expended. - -Previous to his acquaintance with Miss Salt, he was employed by Lord -Harrowby to fit up his house, and had frequent conversations with the -Noble Lord upon the plan of decorating the interior of the mansion. - -After Davidson’s failure in business, near Birmingham, he came to -London, and was employed as a journeyman by Mr. Cox, a cabinet-maker, -in the Haymarket, to whom he had been strongly recommended, by some -gentlemen forming part of the congregation of a Chapel at Walworth, -which Davidson frequented, and where he also made himself active as -a teacher to the Sunday-school attached to the Chapel. It was during -the period of his service with Mr. Cox, that the circumstance happened -alluded to by Davidson on his trial, of an indelicate attack on -the person of one of the female teachers at the school; but we are -compelled to state, that his account of the affair is directly the -reverse of the truth. The fact was, that he habitually indulged in -attempts of a gross and indelicate nature on the persons, not only -of the teachers, but even of the children of the school; way-laying -them on their return home, particularly in the evening after their -attendance on divine worship, and taking improper liberties with them. -The outward sanctity of the man screened him from suspicion, and the -indelicate nature of his attacks silenced for too long a period the -virtuous and innocent females, who were the objects of his vile -attempts; but at length his conduct became too gross for endurance, -and one of the ladies communicated it to the committee. This led -to enquiry, and the result was the most perfect unmasking of the -hypocrite, who was expelled with contempt and indignation from that -society and religious community, which he had so long disgraced by -making it the means of indulging his brutal propensities. - -After this detection and exposure, his conduct was more narrowly -observed, and his habitual lying, prevarication, and intrigue, became -notorious. Indeed he seemed to delight in evasion, and scarcely ever -spoke the plain truth. - -About four years ago he entered into business for himself at Walworth, -and then married a Mrs. Lane, the widow of a respectable man, who had -left her with four small children; for a short time he appeared to be -doing well. At length trade fell off, and he was obliged to remove to -London. He then took a lodging in Mary-le-bone. - -He had known Harrison (one of the transported conspirators) for several -years previous to his coming to Walworth, and by him he was introduced -to Thistlewood, and by the latter to Edwards, the spy. - -Edwards frequently called upon Davidson at his lodgings during the -getting up of the Cato-street plot, and was, for several weeks before, -his and Thistlewood’s constant companion. Edwards breakfasted with -Davidson on the morning before the Cato-street plot was discovered; and -on the same evening, in the presence of Mrs. Davidson, gave him money -to get a blunderbuss out of pawn. - -On the Sunday night, when Davidson parted, for the last time, with -his distressed wife, he expressed himself very strongly against Lord -Sidmouth. - -After he had kissed her, he said, “If I should betray a weakness when -I come out on the scaffold, I hope the world will not attribute it to -cowardice, but to my intense feelings for you and my dear children. -Farewell, love! pray that God will take mercy on me, and receive my -soul.” Mrs. Davidson then left him. - -This unfortunate woman is left with six children; four by her former -husband, and two fine boys by Davidson, both under four years of age. - - -The following letter was written by Davidson to his wife, enclosing the -notice served upon him by the solicitor for the prosecution, that the -indictment for high treason had been found by the Grand Jury. - - - “My dear Sarah,--According to the promise your entreaties caused - me to make to you concerning matters of counsel, _&c._ - - I have sent you here the order I received last night--an order for - application to either of the several justices therein mentioned, - whereby an order will be granted to the applicant for the free - admission of counsel, solicitors, _&c._ But I would rather, for - my part, use such an order for you and my dear children, in - preference to counsel, _&c._; and would now retain my integrity - of not having any, only as it is the first time you ever ask the - favour of being dictator, and as in such considerations I did - grant you that request, I will not now fall from such a promise, - to one whose sole interest and young family entirely depends - on the result of this trial. Therefore, you can be advised how - you are to act; for my own part, I am careless about it, as I - am determined to maintain my integrity as a man against all - the swarms of false witnesses, and I hope you will never be - persuaded, or suffer the public to be led away with a belief, that - I am fallen from that spirit maintained from my youth up, and - had so long been in possession of the ancient name of Davidson - (Aberdeen’s boast), and is now become feeble. Death’s countenance - is familiar to me. I have had him in view fifteen times, and - surely he cannot now be terrible. Keep up that noble spirit for - the sake of your children, and depend that, even in death, it will - be maintained, by your ever affectionate husband, - - “WM. DAVIDSON.” - - “Mrs. Sarah Davidson, - “12, Elliott-row, Mary-le-bone.” - - -The following is a copy of the letter, which he wrote to Lord Harrowby, -referred to in page 357, it is evidently a rank falsehood, written in -the hope, perhaps, of obtaining a respite: - - - “My Noble Lord,--It is with the greatest pleasure I write to - inform your lordship of my innocence of the charge wherein I am - shortly about to suffer death. My Lord, permit me to inform your - lordship, from the personal knowledge I have of your lordship’s - family, it is impossible I could be guilty of the slightest - intention to harm your lordship in any way. My lord, I have had - the honour of working at your lordship’s seat, in Sandon-hall, - Staffordshire, wherein I worked for Mr. Bullock, of Rugeley, and - would at any time rather lose my life in your defence than to be - an accomplice to harm you, or any other man, be his condition - ever so poor, much more so many illustrious persons, and among - them one I had so great a respect for, from personal knowledge, - as your lordship. I declare now to your lordship, as I hope to - be saved, that Edwards was the man who gave me the money to - redeem the blunderbuss, which Adams carried away to Cato-street; - I gave it to him not knowing of any plot: and, as I related - to the Privy-Council, Mr. Goldworthy met me in John-street, - Portland-road; he gave me a sword to take to Cato-street, and a - bundle, which contained belts. When I found I was entrapped, I - naturally attempted to escape, but never fired. I never had any - pistols in my possession; and, in truth my lord, Mr. Edwards must - know that I am not that man of colour that was in their party, if - he will do me the justice to say so.” - - -JOHN THOMAS BRUNT - -Was born in Union-street, Oxford-street, London. His father was a -tailor: he apprenticed his only son John Thomas, at the age of fourteen -years, to Mr. Brookes, a lady’s shoemaker, in Union-street. He served -Mr. Brookes till he was eighteen years of age, when, his father dying, -his mother purchased the remainder of his time, and his indentures were -given up to her, and he supported his mother for some years by his -labour. - -At the age of twenty-one years he articled himself to learn the -boot-closing; and, in a short time became an excellent workman: A -prize-boot in the shop of a tradesman in the Strand was made by him. -When he was twenty-three years of age he married a respectable young -woman, named Welch. On the 1st of May, 1806, she brought him a boy, -who is now living with his mother. He was fourteen years of age on the -day his unfortunate father suffered the sentence of the law. Brunt was -thirty-eight years of age. - - -The following lines were written by Brunt in the Tower, upon the -Secretary of State sending a letter in answer to one written by the -Major, that the alleged traitors were not to be allowed knives or -forks, and only to be allowed to walk on the leads an hour each day: - - - The Home Department’s _Secretaire_, - His orders they would make you stare; - An hour a day allowed to walk, - But mind you neither wink nor talk! - For these are gifts of human reason, - And you are adepts in high treason: - No bigger rogues on earth there be on, - For so says Edwards the _espione_! - Let them eat and drink and sleep, - But knives and forks pray from them keep, - As they’ll commit assassination-- - The rogues would overturn the nation! - - -At the bottom of the above lines were written the following couplets: - - - In modes of faith let graceless zealots fight, - He can’t be wrong whose life is in the right. - Life’s but a jest, and all things show it, - I thought so once, but now I know it! - - J. T. BRUNT, _Tower of London_. - - -The following verses were written by Brunt, in Newgate, on the -Sunday evening, after taking leave of his wife; they were inclosed -in an envelope, which was addressed to his wife; it contained also a -shilling, the last money he possessed, and he requested his wife to -keep the shilling for his sake as long as she lived: - - - Tho’ in a cell I’m close confin’d, - No fears alarm the noble mind; - Tho’ death itself appears in view, - Daunts not the soul sincerely true! - Let Sidmouth and his base colleagues - Cajole and plot their dark intrigues; - Still each Briton’s last words shall be, - Oh! give me death or liberty! - - J. T. BRUNT, _Newgate, April 30, 1820_. - - - - -_Proceedings relative to_ GEORGE EDWARDS, _the Spy_. - - -On Tuesday, the 2d May, Mr. Alderman Wood rose in his place in the -House of Commons, and said, that “he had a question to bring under the -consideration of the house, which he considered as one of the greatest -importance, and particularly to the house itself. He might be wrong in -the course which he had proposed to himself to pursue; but, if he were, -the Speaker would, no doubt, instruct him what was the proper mode -of bringing the matter forward. He had come to the determination of -treating it as a breach of privilege; and would here very briefly state -what were the facts. - -“Seven persons had applied to him, in his official capacity of -magistrate, for a warrant to take up a man, stated to be then resident -in Fleet-street, whose name was said to be George Edwards. He -immediately went into a private examination of those individuals, with -the assistance of Sir W. Domville. Four of the parties deposed to some -very material facts, some of which, affecting the safety of that house, -he should now mention; but others, which were detailed at great length, -were of too horrible a description for him to repeat. - -“They involved a plot, not merely to effect the destruction of that -house, and the honourable members within it, but of one of the highest -personages in this kingdom, and of his majesty’s ministers also. He -would, however, confine himself to the facts of the case as they -regarded that house. He would read the words of the deposition. - -“Some time in that year deponent saw a man, of the name of Edwards, -going from one public-house to another, inviting persons to unite with -him in the execution of the plots against the government, which he -intended to bring forward. It then went on to state, that one of his -great plots was this:--He said, ‘that he could bring into the House of -Commons six or eight men very readily, and that it was not necessary -that they should come in _clean_.’ By that expression he meant, that -they might easily enter the House with something under their arms; for -they could so come into the lobby and other parts of the House with -books; no objection would be offered to their passing in with books -under their arms. - -“These books were to have been filled with gun-barrels, cut down to the -length of four inches only, which were to be filled with gunpowder, and -plugged up at both ends; and these implements being thrown down in the -middle of the House, upon some occasion of a full attendance, when it -would be in a very crowded state, would explode with great violence, -and cause much destruction. The deposition went on to shew, that -Edwards on one occasion said, ‘Thistlewood is the boy for us; he’s the -one to do our work: he will very soon be out of Horsham-gaol.’ Now the -evidence next showed, that, two days after, Thistlewood did come out -of Horsham-gaol, and he was introduced to this Edwards at the house of -Preston, the cobbler; and that which was the strongest confirmation of -the whole statement, and proved it beyond all doubt, was, that Edwards -did get those very books made for the purpose; and that he procured the -gun-barrels, and had them cut up. - -“At that time, too, he had not money enough to buy a pot of beer. -All at once, however, he got supplied with cash, and was enabled -to purchase several other weapons of defence, and arms, which the -deponents spoke of. - -“Now, this was the general substance of the depositions as they -regarded that house; as to the other parts, which related to the -intended taking off of certain individuals, he had hardly satisfied -himself what might be the best mode of proceeding; or whether, from -the nature of the case, he might be justified in asking the House to -indulge him with a committee of secrecy, in which case it would not be -necessary for him to proceed with his present observations. The other -details, however, which he did not at present feel it his duty to bring -before the House, were of a most terrible description, and unfolded -plots of the most dreadful character. - -“The persons who had made the depositions were respectable persons, -and not at all implicated in the late legal proceedings, as having -been evidence for the crown or for the prisoners. He had had several -other persons with him that same morning, who were all ready to swear -that they knew Edwards to have been engaged in these plots from time -to time. He had been asked by several individuals, how he intended -to proceed in this case; and he could now declare, that his mind was -made up to call that person (Edwards) before the bar of the house. -Whether, however, he should ask for a committee of secrecy, or proceed -in any other way, he was ready to bring this important business before -them, and he thought that he discharged his duty in so doing. He had -not thought it proper to swear those deponents to the truth of their -allegations, because all the acts charged against Edwards were stated -to have occurred either in the county of Middlesex or the city of -Westminster. As he never interfered in such a case, he told the parties -that they must go before a magistrate, either of Westminster or of the -county; or else that they must apply for a warrant to Lord Sidmouth. He -directed them to go to his Lordship; and promised that, upon procuring -the warrant, he would get it immediately backed, so as to make it -operative within the city of London. - -“He thought the thing a matter of such importance that he took the -depositions in charge himself; and ordered the witnesses to attend him -at Lord Sidmouth’s immediately; but it so happened that his Lordship -had left the place a few minutes before his arrival. He left the -depositions with a person whom he had now in his eye, and had received -an answer; but he did not think proper now to give it. - -“The existence of such a man as this Edwards it was almost impossible -to conceive. It was difficult to imagine a man, going about with all -this boldness from public-house to public-house--nay, even from one -private house to another, framing and discoursing of all these plots. -For his own part, however, when he looked at all the facts, he thought -it clear that Edwards had become connected with the conspirators at a -very early period; and he pledged himself, that, if the house should -adopt any question upon the subject, he would bring forward such -evidence as must convict the man. It was only to be apprehended that he -was not, perhaps, in the country, which he might have quitted by this -time; otherwise, no doubt, there were honourable gentlemen who were in -possession of him, so that he might be produced. He, therefore, felt -it his duty, under all the circumstances, before he sat down, to move, -‘That George Edwards be immediately brought to the bar of this house.’” - -Mr. BATHURST objected to the motion, on the ground that an individual -charged with such high crimes as those imputed to Edwards, was an -improper person to be brought to the bar of the House of Commons, -on the charge of a breach of privilege; but stated that there was no -doubt, if the question was brought before the House in a proper shape -it would be entertained. - -Mr. Alderman WOOD in reply said, “that he certainly set out with -intimating that he saw great difficulties in this question, but was, -indeed, quite happy to hear it observed, that if the business were -brought before the House properly, the House would properly entertain -it. He thought it right to state, that he had applied to another -quarter, to get the individual in question prosecuted, but in that -application he had been disappointed. - -“When he first read over the depositions, which were of a nature, he -was sure, to make every man shudder with horror, he thought that not -a moment was to be lost in taking Edwards up, if he could be found; -and, he took it for granted that he could be found; for he was known -to have been in the possession of certain persons for a long time. His -plots were truly diabolical; and from the evidence it could be proved, -beyond contradiction or dispute, ‘that Edwards was the sole plotter and -founder of the whole Cato-street plot.’ At present knowing of no other -way than the motion he had suggested by which the man might be brought -to justice, he should leave the matter in the hands of the House.” - -A short debate on the question then ensued, but it appearing that the -charge could not regularly be entertained by the House as a breach of -privilege, Mr. Alderman Wood was induced to withdraw the motion for the -present. - -On the 9th of May the worthy Alderman, having newly-modelled his -motion, so as to move for a committee of secrecy to examine the -depositions in his possession, again called the attention of the House -to the subject. He commenced by stating that “in bringing forward the -motion, he had no object in view but the furtherance of justice, no -end to attain but the elucidation of certain extraordinary facts. He -had not willingly embarked in this business, which he wished to have -been taken up by his Majesty’s ministers. He had done all he could to -induce the Secretary of State for the Home Department[4] to bring to -trial and to punishment the individual whose name was so intimately -connected with the late conspiracy. He had done so as a magistrate. - -“In consequence of information which he had received, he deemed it -necessary to lay before the Secretary of State all the documents he -could collect on the subject of Edward’s proceedings; and he produced -a number of persons who were ready to swear to the matters contained -in their depositions. He farther added, in his correspondence with -the Secretary of State, that he was then enabled to bring forward a -considerable body of evidence in support of what had previously been -alleged. He had attentively looked over a vast number of depositions, -which appeared to him to be of great importance. He had brought down -about thirty of them; and he craved the indulgence of the house while -he read over the whole of this evidence, preparatory to his moving for -a secret committee. His only wish was that a secret committee should be -appointed; and if the House at once agreed to it, he should be quite -contented with that result. - -“If he could show that Edwards was the person who directed that -plot--if he could show that he was going about for two years -endeavouring to effect it--if he could prove that it was Edwards who -purchased the swords and the arms of all kinds--if he could prove, by -good evidence, that it was he who made the instruments of destruction -which were produced on the trial, and others which might now be -produced--he thought it would be quite impossible for the House to -refuse his motion. He could substantiate all this by evidence--by -the evidence of persons whose characters could not be impeached. He -could bring forward witnesses, who had lived four, five, and six -years with their employers, from whom they had received the best of -characters. They stated, that Edwards had called on them at different -times, and had endeavoured to seduce them: that he had drawn them into -public-houses--that he had made purchases of arms--and that he had sent -arms to their houses, they not knowing from whom those arms came, until -subsequent evidence made them acquainted with the fact. - -“He had traced this man during a period of five years, although his -motion was confined to two. Some years ago he was living at Windsor, -and some favour was shown to him by persons about the Castle. He was -employed as a modeller in plaster-of-Paris[5]. Sometimes he was in -deep adversity, at other times his circumstances were better. At one -period he was walking about the streets selling his busts, without -shoes or stockings; and all at once he became comparatively rich. To -account for this, he stated that he was the relation of a German count, -from whom he had received some money; in obtaining which, he said, he -was assisted by Lord Castlereagh. This circumstance was sufficient to -excite suspicion in any rational mind. - -“He would also prove that Edwards had been long connected with the -police-officers. This was a point which certainly must be considered -as very important. He pledged himself to show that Edwards was in -connexion with a police-officer who was the intimate friend of Castles, -and by whom Castles was employed to entice individuals to assist in -the liberation of French officers, those individuals being immediately -afterwards seized, for the purpose of procuring the reward. If he -traced deeds of this description to Edwards, he contended that the -committee ought to be granted. All this, doubtless, would be denied; -but he was prepared to prove it, and was determined to do his duty. He -had sought out the history of this man, as, on a former occasion, he -investigated and exposed the conduct of three individuals who stood in -a similar situation, and who, for the purpose of receiving the reward, -were inciting men to the commission of crimes. - -“When, at last, he brought the villany of this atrocious traitor (he -could not denominate him a man) before the House--when he traced him, -forming his plots--meeting individuals at an appointed place, for the -purpose of carrying his schemes into execution--telling them, if they -were surprised, to proceed to Lord Harrowby’s--employing himself in -making those arms which were produced on the trial--and, above all, -when he proved that Edwards had brought Thistlewood to the lodging at -Davis’s house--that he had hired that lodging for him--that he did -not cause his apprehension the night of the discovery, but that he -caused his arrest the next morning, having waited until the _Gazette_, -offering a reward of 1,000_l._, was published;--when he proved all -this, could they refuse a full and fair enquiry? He could incontestibly -show, that Edwards told the persons engaged in the conspiracy, in -case they were disturbed, to follow him to Grosvenor-square; that he -accompanied a part of them on their way towards Cato-street to Holborn; -that he quarrelled with one of the persons who declined going further; -that when the discovery was made, he informed Mrs. Thistlewood where -her husband was; that he went the next morning to Harris’s, and desired -him to keep Thistlewood all day, and that he would be removed at night; -and finally, that he brought the officers to seize him. - -“He could further show that Edwards had taken lodgings, under the -assumed name of Walls, in Pimlico. He referred the owner of the house -to a porter, at Buckingham-gate, for his character, who told him, -‘This is Mr. Walls, of Windsor.’ He remained at these lodgings for a -considerable time with a police-officer. - -“He would now proceed to the depositions: - -“A person named Pickard[6], a weaver, working for his father, deposed -that he had casually met with Edwards at a public-house. Edwards called -him by name, though he did not recollect having seen him before. -Edwards told him “It was time the b--y thieves _was_ destroyed. A -number of persons, say six (he continued), might get admission into -the gallery of the House of Commons, provided with tin cases, painted -to represent books, and filled with pistol-barrels. One of these, -provided with hemp, as a fuse, might be thrown into the House, when the -members were engaged in debate.” Deponent farther said, that Edwards -gave him a small steel instrument, to fix to a walking-stick. He also -stated that Edwards was constantly going after him. - -“Another individual, William Coudry, stated, that he attended several -meetings when Edwards was present, and was informed by him, on one -occasion, that a cabinet dinner was to be given at Lord Westmoreland’s, -at which Lord Castlereagh would be present. Edwards said, ‘the b----y -Irish butcher must be made away with.’ Coudry stated also that he had -often seen Edwards afterwards preparing destructive instruments. - -“A person named Seymour stated, that he knew Edwards four or five -years, having met him some time ago, and he proposed that deponent -should go to a meeting in Smithfield. He replied to Edwards, that he -would not go, for that he was not inclined to join in those bad pranks. -Edwards afterwards told this man that the meeting had not turned out -to their expectation. This was a man of considerable respectability. -Another man had seen Edwards at a coffee-house, in June, and was told -by him that the only means was, to destroy his majesty’s ministers, -by throwing hand-grenades into their carriages. Another individual -was called on by Edwards on the 19th of August, three days after the -dispersion of the meeting. Edwards stated to him, that Manchester was -on fire, that the New Bailey was taken, and that Hunt was killed, and -added, ‘Come out immediately, all are ready; we have nothing to do but -rallying our forces.’ Edwards came again at eight in the evening, and -said something so wicked, that the man would have nothing more to do -with him. - -“Edwards called on another man at his mechanical business, and asked if -the men were all reformers. After coming several times he saw a sword -hung up in the place, and said he would be very much obliged to him for -it. The individual gave it. Edwards said, ‘you have more?’ He replied -that he had not. Edwards said such swords were very cheap, and they -could get them as cheap as the government. The man gave him no more, -but soon afterwards a bundle was brought to him containing twenty-four -swords and some pikes, and Edwards carried away a number of them under -his coat, and sent for others. He said to this individual, ‘Pray come -and see what we are about.’ He went, and saw Edwards in a flannel -jacket, surrounded with combustibles; he saw him making cartridges and -hand-grenades, and arranging all the implements of destruction. The -man, who had formerly been at sea, would stay no longer. - -“A man of the name of Chambers[7] was visited by Edwards, and was -desired to permit him to leave there some arms. Edwards said that -all was ready. He offered money to two Irishmen who came in, and -brought them to a public-house, where he treated them with some drink. -Mary Barker, daughter of one of the unfortunate men, stated that the -hand-grenades and other things found in her father’s (Tidd’s) house, -were entirely brought in the night before by Edwards.[8] - -“Another individual--he was not desired by any of those persons to -conceal their names, and if any member wished for the names he was -ready to give them,--the individual to whom he alluded knew Edwards; he -had known William Edwards, brother of this Edwards, connected with the -police, and had worked with him at the palace at Windsor. This man was -conducted by Edwards to Cato-street, but when he saw the preparations -there, he immediately ran away. Edwards presented his sword to prevent -another from going away from Cato-street. To another person Edwards -said, ‘Now is the time to destroy his majesty’s ministers, if the -country is not to be ruined.’ The man replied, ‘Such a thing might do -very well for a foreigner; it would not do for an Englishman.’ Edwards -then got Thistlewood to come along with him to this man. Thistlewood -had sold an estate to a friend of the man’s, and was therefore known -to him. But the man said to them, ‘I’ll hear no more of that.’ - -“Another man was applied to by Edwards, on the 19th of January, and -was told by him that the destruction of ministers, either in their -carriages or at cabinet dinners, was determined on. He would not weary -the house by detailing all the practices of this infernal person. One -very long and very interesting paper in this matter, which explained -the whole from beginning to end, was written by one of the unfortunate -individuals who had been seduced--it might therefore be said that it -was deserving of little credit. Another person stated Edwards to have -been patronized at Windsor, and that he knew him to be a spy. Another -person, who had been on the waggon at the Smithfield meeting, stated, -that Edwards gave a hint to a person who was about to speak of what he -should say--gave him a pint of beer--told him to speak out, and among -other things suggested, that they were ready with fire-balls. It was a -very extraordinary disclosure, and never had there been a thing devised -so well. In the whole proceedings not one instance was found of one -person seduced, seducing another. A was not found to have seduced B; -but in all cases Edwards was the seducer. - -“Of some of the papers he was not prepared to give any account, as they -had come into his hands only since he came into the house; but he had -stated the facts brought forward by such persons as were sufficient -to convict Edwards. He should hear, perhaps, that those persons were -themselves guilty of misprision of treason; he was prepared to hear -that, and to say something in reply. But that did not at all lessen the -guilt of the individual who was seducing others to acts of treason. -Edwards had gone on with these practices, and supplied others with -money. He could prove money to have passed from Edwards to many of the -deluded persons. It was remarkable that Edwards was near the spot when -Thistlewood was taken in Harris’s house. Whether he had received the -1,000_l._ or not, he did not know. If he had, he could now live without -labour, at least without such labour as he might otherwise be dependent -on. - -“This was established by the testimony of a very respectable man, -who kept a school in St. George’s, Hanover-square, with respect to -whose conduct in this business the trustees had held a meeting, and -found nothing to blame. This gentleman (Mr. Fowler) was applied to -by Edwards under the name of Wards, for lodgings, and Mr. Wake, who -kept Buckingham-gate, said to Mr. Fowler that he was a respectable -person. After he had been six weeks there, he said to Mr. Fowler, if -Mr. Sheriff Parkins or Mr. Sheriff Rothwell should call for him, his -name was Edwards. Mr. Fowler exclaimed, ‘Good God! have I got a spy -in my house all this time?’ There had been no subscription to provide -any money, except indeed a trifle for one of the persons implicated, -who had been in the debtors’ prison, but it was very small. There had -been, therefore no money provided among them that could account for -Edwards’ mode of living and acting.” The worthy alderman concluded -by moving, ‘That a secret committee be appointed to examine evidence -touching the criminal conduct of George Edwards for the last two years, -and particularly touching his connexion with the conspiracy detected in -Cato-street.’ - -The motion was seconded by Sir Robert Wilson, and a warm and animated -debate, between most of the leading members of the house ensued, in -which the principle of employing spies was strongly censured and -condemned by some members, and approved of and supported by others, -as a justifiable measure of state policy. The question was, however, -ultimately negatived. - -The exertions of Mr. Alderman Wood in the House of Commons having been -rendered nugatory by the rejection of this motion, recourse was had -to the ordinary means of justice, and on Monday the 22d of May, the -Grand Jury for the County of Middlesex found a true bill against GEORGE -EDWARDS, for High Treason, and among the witnesses examined by the -Grand Jury in support of the charge were, Mrs. Thistlewood, Mrs. Brunt, -and Julian Thistlewood, (the son). Mr. Harmer was authorized to offer a -reward for the apprehension of Edwards, and the following advertisement -immediately appeared in the newspapers: - -_High Treason.--One Hundred Guineas Reward._ - - - A True Bill of indictment having been found by the Middlesex - Grand Jury against GEORGE EDWARDS for HIGH TREASON, whoever - will apprehend and lodge the said George Edwards in any of his - Majesty’s Gaols, shall, on application to Mr. James Harmer, of - Hatton-garden, London, receive the above reward. - - The said George Edwards is by trade a modeller; he is about 5 feet - 3 inches high, thin and pale faced, with an aquiline nose, grey - eyes, and light brown hair; he has lately gone by the name of - Wards, and is supposed to be about to leave this country for New - Brunswick under that assumed name. - - -The retreat of Edwards, however, has never been discovered, and the -general expectation is that a free pardon will be granted to him for -all acts of treason committed previous to a certain time, by which he -will be secured against the consequences of the bill found against him. - -The witness Hiden, and the accomplices Monument and Adams, who became -evidence for the crown, are also detained in confinement, but will -probably be hereafter released by a general pardon. - - -FINIS. - - -London:- Printed by W. CLOWES, Northumberland-court. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[4] The following are copies of letters which passed between Lord -Sidmouth and Mr. Alderman Wood, on the subject: - -_From Lord Sidmouth to Mr. Alderman Wood._ - -Whitehall, April 26, 1820. - -Sir,--I have to thank you for the statements of Mary Barker, Thomas -Chambers, William Tunbridge, and George Pickard, which you left, in my -absence, in the hands of Mr. Clive. - -You are probably aware, from the list of witnesses which has been -delivered to the prisoners now on their trial, that George Edwards, who -is alluded to in those statements, is named in that list, and is liable -to be called as a witness for the Crown; and there does not appear to -me any sufficient ground for instituting any proceedings against him. - -I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, -Mr. Alderman Wood, _&c. &c._ SIDMOUTH. - -_To the Right Honourable Viscount Sidmouth._ - -My Lord,--Having brought a question respecting George Edwards before -the House last evening, it is my intention to renew that question in a -different form. I have received considerable information, besides those -documents I left at your Lordship’s office, confirming the infamous -conduct of Edwards. I have, therefore, to request your Lordship will -prevent Edwards from leaving the country, as I have been this day -informed he is preparing to leave England for America. - -I have the honour to be, my Lord, your most obedient servant, -May 3, 1820. M. WOOD. - -_From Lord Sidmouth to Mr. Alderman Wood._ - -Whitehall, May 3, 1820. - -Sir,--I have received your letter of this date, in which you request me -to prevent George Edwards from leaving this country; and, in reply, I -have to acquaint you, that I know of no ground which could justify me -in issuing a warrant against Edwards, that being the only mode by which -I could comply with your request. - -I have the honour to be, Sir, -Your most obedient humble servant, -Mr. Alderman Wood. SIDMOUTH. - -_To the Right Honourable Viscount Sidmouth._ - -My Lord,--I am honoured with your Lordship’s answer to my letter of -yesterday, respecting George Edwards, wherein you state, that “you -know of no ground which could justify you in issuing a warrant against -him.” I consider that those depositions which I left at your Lordship’s -office, contain such charges as would fully justify your Lordship in -apprehending George Edwards. Perhaps your Lordship’s objections are, -that they are not sworn; if so, I beg to inform you that the parties -were in attendance at your Lordship’s office, to give evidence, and -were ready to be sworn to their statements, and are now ready, at an -hour’s notice, to attend your Lordship. I have also other evidence to -produce. - -I remain, your Lordship’s most obedient humble servant, -7, South Audley-street, May 4, 1820. M. WOOD. - -_From Lord Sidmouth to Mr. Alderman Wood._ - -Whitehall, May 4, 1820. - -Sir,--I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day’s -date, in which I see no ground for altering the opinion communicated to -you in my former letters. - -I have the honour to be, Sir, -Your most obedient humble servant, -SIDMOUTH. - -[5] The following account of a professional intercourse with Edwards, -who strove hard to convert it into a political connection, has been -published by Mr. Carlile. - -“On my entering the house at 55, Fleet-street, I became the neighbour -of Edwards, who previously held the little shop which bears the No. 55½ -as being part of 56. Edwards was no sooner aware that I had taken 55, -than he strenuously applied himself to become a tenant or lodger of -mine, before I had the least idea of letting any part of the house. I -had a strong dislike to his appearance, and particularly the party whom -he stated himself to be connected with, which were the Spenceans, and -consequently gave him no hopes that I should receive him as lodger. - - * * * * * * * * * * - -He was in the habit of coming into the shop to purchase my pamphlets, -and I soon conceived the notion of having a figure of Paine modelled; -he expressed himself quite anxious for the job, and observed, that -from his admiration of the principles of Paine, he would be satisfied -with a small price for it. On my wishing to fix him to a price, he -proposed five pounds, which would just cover the expense he should -be at, without including his time or abilities: this was agreed on -immediately, and he was to proceed forthwith: this happened in the -latter part of February, or beginning of March. - -“A few days after Mr. Edwards expressed a wish to have the money before -hand, and observed, that it was usual with modellers. I hesitated, -refused, and offered him one pound, which he accepted. A head, or bust, -was soon ready, and I gave him three guineas further, for the copyright -of it, but I could get him no further with the figure, (although I -had gone to the expense of the pedestal and other requisites for it,) -until the fall of the year, the whole of which time he appeared to be -in a state of abject poverty,--was obliged to give up his shop, and -was never to be found at home. I urged him, by continual messages, to -proceed with the figure, and, in the month of September, I got him to -finish it.” - - * * * * * * * * * * - -Edwards was paid for his figure before it was finished and set up, and -altogether considerably in addition to the first agreement. - -“From this time he stuck very close to me, on one pretence and the -other; followed me twice to Blackheath, for the purpose of modelling -my likeness on his own account, which he completed in the King’s Bench -Prison, without any apparent object of making any thing of it. He -pleaded great poverty, and twice solicited the loan of money from me, -after the figure of Paine was finished and paid for; I as often refused -him, because his whole conduct had convinced me that he was both -dishonest and ill-disposed. I had never the smallest idea that he was a -spy, and as I know him to be in the habit of running after Thistlewood -and his party, I often asked him what project they had in view, as a -matter of joke. - -“It was Edwards who informed me that the person who visited me in the -King’s Bench Prison, in company with Davidson, was a spy, and that it -was he who conveyed all the information to Lord Sidmouth and the Lord -Mayor. Edwards was the fourth person who entered the room while they -were there, and it struck me forcibly that there was a strange coolness -and distance between the three who had frequently met together before. -I had never for a moment suspected Edwards to be any thing further than -an idle, dissolute character.” - -[6] Our limits will not admit the insertion of all the depositions read -by the worthy Alderman in support of his motion; we, however, present -our readers with copies of two of them, to shew the course pursued by -the infamous Edwards in entrapping his destined victims, which was -nearly the same in all cases.--The following is Pickard’s deposition: - -“George Pickard, 15, Hare-Street, Bethnal Green, says, I know Edwards. -I first saw him before the first Smithfield Meeting. I never much -associated with him, I considered him so much of a blackguard. I knew -his brother also, who was secretary to the Spencean Society. I met him -some time about July, at the White Lyon in Wych Street; there were two -or three others there. He knew me, better than I did him. He asked -me how I did, and said, ‘What a pity it is, Pickard, that we can’t -destroy these b---- vermin.’ A trifling conversation took place; at -last, ‘I’ll tell you what it is,’ said he, ‘any body can get into the -House of Commons with an order, nor does it require that they should go -clean. Suppose we have an iron case made in the shape of a book (for -any person is allowed to carry in a book,) and have some old gun or -pistol barrels, which may be got cheap, cut into pieces about three or -four inches long: let them be plugged up at each end with lead, and the -centre filled with powder, and a touch-hole made; half a dozen of cases -may be made full of them, for a similar number of men to take into the -House. One man might have a bottle of phosphorous, and a lighted match -might be taken with a piece of a rope, without giving any alarm to -the persons present, and applied to the fuse, which would communicate -with the contents of the cases--they should be thrown when the House -was full, from the gallery. The opportunity should be taken when some -important business was going forward. ‘What b----y destruction it would -make,’ said he, seemingly quite pleased, and laughing at the idea. -He next said, that Thistlewood would soon be out, and he was the boy -for doing business. When he comes, we will set all things to rights. -After some further talk, he drew out a grenade, saying, ‘What do you -think of this?’ ‘What do you call it?’ said I; ‘Oh, you are a d----d -fool, you know nothing;’ and then he told me it was a hand-grenade. He -asked me if I would make one of thirty or forty men for some desperate -purpose, which he did not explain; but such things he added, should -not be entered into without having a guard against the b----y police. -Upon which he drew forth a curious instrument from his waistcoat -pocket, and said, it might be put into a common walking cane by having -a hole bored in the bottom, and be instantly fit for use. I told him -I must know him better before I would have any thing to do with him. -He replied, that Thistlewood knew him well, and that that would be a -sufficient recommendation. I met Edwards and Thistlewood previous to -the Cato-Street business, on the Saturday. Thistlewood asked me various -questions respecting business, and after shaking hands he bid me good -day. Then Edwards turned quite round, and after looking for some -minutes, held his hand out to shake hands. I do not recollect the first -few sentences that passed, but on parting he said, ‘You b---- Pickard, -you must fight before long.’ On the following Monday two persons called -at my lodgings, when I was absent, and inquired for me. One of them -answered the description of Edwards. They left no message, but called -again on Tuesday, but I was away; I never heard of him since then. -Previous to the last time of my seeing Edwards I went to the Scotch -Arms, in Round-Court, Strand, and saw Adams and Edwards there. They -both talked about destroying the Ministers, and invited me to go to a -meeting, and Adams gave me a grenade, and Edwards gave me a small pike. -I told Whadman of the circumstance; he advised me to have nothing to -do with the business. Adams and Edwards called at my lodgings the day -before the Cato-street business, but I had left.” - -[7] Chamber’s deposition, is as follows:-- - -“I, Thomas Chambers, say, that I am a bootmaker, residing at 3, -Heathcock Court, Strand, and have been in the employment of Mr. ----, -shoemaker, Tavistock-street, for seven years, and still continue -to work for him; that about five months ago I became acquainted -with George Edwards, by meeting him by accident at the White Lion, -Wych-street; that some time after he called upon me, at which I was -much surprised, not knowing much of him; he at the same time talked -about politics in a strange violent manner; he came to me again soon -after, and held the same sort of language, saying, ‘It was nonsense -talking, people must arm themselves.’ On Christmas Eve he again called -on me, with several persons, among whom were two Irishmen, who were -drunk, and whom I had never seen before. Edwards at this time had with -him an old cavalry sword which he kept under his coat, and also a -sword stick in his hand. He said to the Irishmen, ‘would not you wish -to have Castlereagh’s head to carry about on a pole, for the good he -has done your country.’ One of the Irishmen said, ‘He,’ meaning Lord -Castlereagh, ‘is a big rogue;’ on which Edwards said, ‘Here is what -will cut off his b--y head.’ One of the Irishmen said he would not -enter into any thing until he was sworn. Edwards then asked me for -a Bible to swear the man: I said, I will have no swearing here, and -being at work, and not liking their language and noise, I bid them to -leave my house, and they went away. Edwards called on me again about a -week after, much against my wish, and held forth, in violent language -about the government, and said, ‘that after the tyrants (meaning -ministers) were cut off, Hunt and Cobbett must go to pot.’ Finding I -did not like their language, he went away. About a fortnight before -the Cato-street business, Edwards called on me, and said to me, ‘the -tyrants must fall,’ and added, ‘all must come together armed, and you -must come with your sword and pistol, as I suppose you have got them.’ -I told him I had nothing of the kind: he then said that I should not -want for them. Some short time after this he came to my lodgings quite -down in spirits, and said he could not find any one to have courage to -join, and he had a great mind to cut his throat. A short time after -this Edwards came again with two men, and in good spirits, and said, -‘I suppose you will go with us, you know what I mean;’ I answered, I -do not; he said, ‘you are not such a fool, as not to know there is -something on foot, we mean to destroy ministers.’ I answered, that I -would not be in such a Despard’s business. He then clapped his hand on -the wall of the house, and said, ‘this is all lath and plaster, and -you shan’t be safe, we’ll blow you out of your bed.’ I did not see -Edwards after this till Monday, the 21st of February, when he came, in -company with a very tall man, who had a cast in his eye, and Edwards -had a large bag with him, which he requested me to allow him to leave -in my room. I asked him what it contained, he replied, ‘Oh! only a -few pistols, and such like.’ I instantly bid him take them away, that -I would have nothing to do with such things in my place. He urged me -very much to permit the bag to remain, but I would not. I again told -him I would on no account have any thing to do with such things, and -immediately made him take the bag away, assisted by the persons who -came with him. Since then I have seen nothing of Edwards.” - -[8] See Mary Barker’s evidence on the Trials, pages 191, 277, 315. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN AUTHENTIC HISTORY OF THE -CATO-STREET CONSPIRACY *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/67447-0.zip b/old/67447-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e1b3c1f..0000000 --- a/old/67447-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/67447-h.zip b/old/67447-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index cd8ed90..0000000 --- a/old/67447-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/67447-h/67447-h.htm b/old/67447-h/67447-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index bcfdc26..0000000 --- a/old/67447-h/67447-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,15014 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of An Authentic History of the Cato-Street Conspiracy, by George Theodore Wilkinson. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - - p { margin-top: .75em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .75em; - } - - p.bold {text-align: center; font-weight: bold;} - p.bold2 {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 150%;} - - h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; - } - h1 span, h2 span { display: block; text-align: center; } - #id1 { font-size: smaller } - - - hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; - } - - hr.smler { - width: 5%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 47.5%; - margin-right: 47.5%; - clear: both; - } - - body{margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; - } - - table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; text-align: right;} - - .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - text-indent: 0px; - } /* page numbers */ - - .center {text-align: center;} - .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - .mynote { background-color: #DDE; color: black; padding: .5em; margin-left: 20%; - margin-right: 20%; } /* colored box for notes at beginning of file */ - .space-above {margin-top: 3em;} - .right {text-align: right;} - .left {text-align: left;} - .s3 {display: inline; margin-left: 3em;} - .s6 {display: inline; margin-left: 6em;} - - .poem {display: inline-block; text-align: left;} - .poem br {display: none;} - .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} - .poem div {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - .poem div.i1 {margin-left: 1em;} - - </style> - </head> -<body> -<div lang='en' xml:lang='en'> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of <span lang='' xml:lang=''>An Authentic History of the Cato-Street Conspiracy</span>, by George Theodore Wilkinson</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: <span lang='' xml:lang=''>An Authentic History of the Cato-Street Conspiracy</span></p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: George Theodore Wilkinson</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: February 20, 2022 [eBook #67447]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: deaurider, Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK <span lang='' xml:lang=''>AN AUTHENTIC HISTORY OF THE CATO-STREET CONSPIRACY</span> ***</div> - -<div class="mynote"><p class="center">Transcriber’s Note:<br /><br /> -Obvious typographic errors have been corrected.<br /></p></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/front.jpg" alt="front" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i000.jpg" alt="Arthur Thistlewood" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p> - -<h1>AN AUTHENTIC HISTORY</h1> - -<p class="bold">OF THE</p> - -<p class="bold2">CATO-STREET CONSPIRACY;</p> - -<p class="bold">WITH THE</p> - -<p class="bold2">TRIALS</p> - -<p class="bold">AT LARGE<br /><i>OF THE CONSPIRATORS</i>,</p> - -<p class="bold">FOR</p> - -<p class="bold2">High Treason and Murder;</p> - -<p class="bold">A DESCRIPTION OF THEIR</p> - -<p class="bold">WEAPONS AND COMBUSTIBLE MACHINES,</p> - -<p class="bold">AND</p> - -<p class="bold">EVERY PARTICULAR CONNECTED WITH THE RISE, PROGRESS,<br /> -DISCOVERY, AND TERMINATION OF THE HORRID PLOT.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="bold"><i>With Portraits of all the Conspirators, taken during their Trials, by<br /> -Permission, and other Engravings.</i></p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/illo.jpg" alt="Illustration" /></div> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="bold"><span class="smcap">By</span> GEORGE THEODORE WILKINSON, <span class="smcap">Esq.</span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Editor of the New Newgate Calendar Improved.</span></p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="bold">LONDON:</p> - -<p class="bold">PRINTED FOR THOMAS KELLY, 17, PATERNOSTER-ROW,<br /> -<i>And sold by all Booksellers in the United Kingdom</i>.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> - -<h2>PREFACE.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>To those, who are accustomed to look with an observant eye upon the -causes which lead to the fall and destruction of nations, the present -epoch offers materials for their most weighty consideration. They have -seen their country involved in one of the most destructive and arduous -contests ever recorded in its annals; they have seen the combined -force of the civilized world directed against its very existence; they -have witnessed its unexampled and glorious struggle; the loyalty and -patriotism of the people, and finally they have beheld it, rising at -the close of the contest, not subdued nor conquered, but towering with -renovated fame and lustre, and scattering to their loathsome dens the -dark demons of anarchy and ruin; they beheld the industrious artisan -returning to the shuttle—the laborious peasant to the plough—the -war-worn soldier was seated at his native hearth telling the story -of his battles, and the weather-beaten sailor, in the fulness of -his pride, was glorying in the wounds obtained in the defence of -his country. Peace gave to the nation its blessings, and round the -consecrated altars of our fathers knelt the children of this favoured -land in grateful prayer to that God, who had gone<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span> forth with them -in the day of battle; and who, in the wreck of surrounding kingdoms, -had vouchsafed to spread over this his protecting hand. But, in the -midst of these cheering prospects, the pestilential air of Atheism and -Infidelity was raging abroad like the blasting heat of the Simoon in -the desert, and throwing its sickening hue over the beautiful forms -of Religion and Virtue. Men, if such an exalted name can be given -them, who have openly thrown off all submission—all reverence—all -duty and love to their God; who, in the most blasphemous manner, -had reviled and denied their divine Redeemer, considered themselves -enfranchised from every moral and religious duty, from allegiance to -their earthly Sovereign and obedience to the laws of the country. In -the latter they beheld an irksome, and disagreeable restraint upon the -exercise of their degenerate passions, they tore themselves away from -the great human Society, despised its relations and its duties, and in -their midnight assemblies traitorously plotted the massacre of some -of the most exalted individuals of the country. In themselves they -united the dreadful characters of traitor, incendiary, and murderer. -Apostates from their religion, a spirit of horrible infidelity hardened -their hearts against all the tender feelings of humanity and virtue, -blinded their understandings to the dictates of truth, and rendered -them capable of the vilest crimes. But the eye of Providence watched -over their victims in the dark recesses where their hellish plots were -engendered; the Omnipresent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span> Being marked their actions, and, at the -very moment of their expected accomplishment, dragged them forth to the -execration and vengeance of their injured country.</p> - -<p>We live in times teeming with events of such uncommon magnitude, -that they seem to laugh to scorn all that we used to call important -in our former history. Let us not deceive ourselves. It is no petty -danger that threatens us; we are not anxious about some dubious point -of honour, nor are we contending for any secondary interest; but for -the very body and substance of our Island: not for the foliage, nor -even the branches, but for the trunk of the British Oak; that Oak so -different in all respects from the Tree of Liberty, intended to be -reared in the Country by certain pretended Patriots; that Oak beneath -which a grateful and a happy people had so long sheltered; and under -which the distressed of other countries have often found a refuge, when -driven to seek protection from the stormy blasts in their own less -happy land.</p> - -<p>But to what are the temporal evils which now afflict the country to be -traced? Undoubtedly to apostacy in religion, and to the alarming growth -of infidelity and deism. Conspirators never found an asylum in the -habitations of Christians. The roll of turbulent revolters that History -has recorded and transmitted to us, as the assertors of the <i>Rights of -Men</i>, exhibits not one disciple of the meek and lowly Jesus. The true -believer in the doctrines of Christ feels himself, in the view of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span> the -picture exhibited of the real Christian, grounded still stronger upon -the sure foundation of his faith upon the solid rock of this heavenly -dispensation. His soul catches new fire from the host of examples which -Christian History records: he shudders at the attempts which are made -proud and factious men to withdraw subjects from their allegiance, to -plunge them into the horrors of anarchy and civil war; he trembles with -astonishment and indignation, when men rejoice over the mangled remains -of Princes and of statesmen, and over the bloody corpses of Sovereigns -butchered by the hands of their own rebellious subjects. It is to the -progress of irreligion and the decay of morals, that the increase of -crime which now stigmatises the country, is to be attributed. It is to -the fatal neglect of their religious duties, and to the renunciation -of the blessings which Christianity offers them, that the miserable -men, whose dreadful acts are recorded in the following pages, have been -doomed to expiate their crimes on the scaffold. Religion does not leave -the interests of mankind within the contracted circle of his social -duties: its influence is extended in its protection to the utmost -possible degree. The Christian is not only obliged by his profession to -be a good man, but also to be a good citizen. He must be obedient to -the governing powers under which he is born and placed. No subtilty of -reasoning, nor any perversion of language or texts of Scripture will -countenance him in acts of rebellion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span> against his lawful Sovereign. -Whenever, indeed, the standard of rebellion is unfortunately lifted up -against our Prince, it is the duty of the Christian to be active in his -allegiance, and to defend the Government to which he belongs, with all -possible energy.</p> - -<p>It has, however, pleased an Almighty Providence to protect the Rulers -of this Country from the diabolical machinations of a set of lawless -wretches who sought to erect their own interest on murder, rapine, -and treason. Their names are transmitted to posterity, branded with -the most horrible crimes that disfigure human nature; their lives are -forfeited to the injured Laws of their Country: and, although they may -have attempted to console themselves with the vain belief that the -punishment for their deeds ends in this world, the dread reality has -now flashed upon them that there is also another world in which the -hardened and unrepentant sinner will meet his everlasting doom.</p> - -<p>To the Atheist and the Infidel let the blood of these men speak with -the most solemn admonition. The time is fast approaching when the veil -of earthly things will be removed from their sight; when the cobweb -texture of their fancied theories will be torn asunder; and truth, with -its radiant light, burst upon them. Then let them pause, ere it be too -late: a dreadful example has been set before them of the effect of -irreligion and immorality. If the Atheist bear the holy name of father, -let him ponder well ere he resign<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span> his soul to everlasting perdition: -let him, as his babes cling around him, picture to himself the horrors -of that grave on which no morning breaks; and the excruciating horrors -of that death-bed which is not blessed with the hope of a future state. -Let him, in his dispassionate moments, visit the grave of the murderer -Thistlewood; let him there reflect upon the end of a life of infidelity -and irreligion; and then may that Almighty Being, who looks with a -benignant eye upon the weaknesses of his creatures, guard him from the -error of his ways, and teach him that real and substantial happiness on -earth is only to be found in <span class="smcap">Religion</span>, <span class="smcap">Virtue</span>, and -<span class="smcap">Morality</span>.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_aiii" id="Page_aiii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> - -<h2>ADDRESS.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>Among all the wild, wicked, and visionary schemes of which we have seen -the rise and fall, in this age of infidelity and disaffection, none -can be compared with that of which we are about to give the frightful -history, for extravagance in its origin, ferocity in its details, or -fiend-like triumph in its anticipated consummation. It is an event -which must for ever blot with disgrace the fair page of British -history, and it exhibits an awful and humiliating view of the state -of degradation to which the human mind may be brought, when once it -has cast off the fear of God, as inculcated in the divine precepts of -Christianity.</p> - -<p>The present work professes to be an authentic and digested history -of the rise, progress, discovery, and termination of the atrocious -Cato-street Conspiracy; interspersed with so much of the personal -history of the individuals concerned, as may be necessary to illustrate -the principle which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_aiv" id="Page_aiv">[Pg iv]</a></span> it is the main object of this work to inculcate, -namely, that to the abandonment of the duties of our holy religion -alone, is it to be attributed that we have men among us wicked enough -to conceive, and others so weak as to assist in, such preposterous and -atrocious schemes.</p> - -<p>The first part contains the history of the plot; its detection; the -murder of Smithers, the peace-officer, in the execution of his duty; -particulars of the subsequent arrests; all the proceedings before the -Police Magistrates, and the Privy Council; and a full and accurate -description of the horrid weapons of destruction, and infernal -combustible machines, intended to be used by this detestable gang of -assassins.</p> - -<p>The second part contains, at great length, the <span class="smcap">Trials</span> of -all the executed conspirators, and the disposal of the other persons -arrested, with a variety of additional particulars relative to the -plot. The accounts of the execution, and decapitation, which are given -with great correctness and fidelity, will be found interesting and -affecting, and the <span class="smcap">Appendix</span> contains sketches of the lives -and conduct of the executed criminals, together with a copious history -of the proceedings relative to that base and infamous individual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_av" id="Page_av">[Pg v]</a></span> -<span class="smcap">George Edwards</span>, the Spy and instigator to Treason.</p> - -<p>The work is confidently submitted to the public, in the earnest -hope that it may be found so serious a comment on the intentions -and ultimate views of sanguinary and designing men,—who traverse -the country, intruding themselves into all classes of society, with -specious plans of reform in their mouths, but, in reality, with -revolution, massacre, and plunder in their hearts,—that every honest -man, and every Christian, may be induced to shun their councils as he -would a pestilence, and to adopt for his motto and rule of conduct the -truly-British sentiment of our forefathers,</p> - -<p class="center">“FEAR GOD AND HONOUR THE KING.”</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_avi" id="Page_avi">[Pg vi]</a></span></p> - -<h2>TO THE BINDER.</h2> - -<p class="center">Place this quarter sheet, (a) containing <span class="smcap">Address</span>, <i>&c.</i> -<br />immediately between the Title and the Preface, and insert<br />the -<span class="smcap">Plates</span> in the following order, viz.:</p> - -<table summary="TO THE BINDER"> - <tr> - <td class="left">Portrait of Thistlewood to face Title-page.</td> - <td></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">View of the Premises in Cato-Street</td> - <td>10</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Portrait of Adams</td> - <td>109</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">—— Hyden</td> - <td>109</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">—— Monument</td> - <td>167</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">—— Tidd</td> - <td>325</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">—— Davidson</td> - <td>339</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">—— Ings</td> - <td>378</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">—— Brunt</td> - <td>378</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">The Execution</td> - <td>385</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> - -<h2>HISTORY</h2> - -<p class="bold">OF THE</p> - -<p class="bold2">Cato-Street Conspiracy,</p> - -<p class="bold"><i>&c. &c.</i></p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>On the morning of Thursday the 24th of February 1820, the metropolis -was thrown into the greatest consternation and alarm, by the -intelligence, that, in the course of the preceding evening, a most -atrocious plot to overturn the government of the country, had been -discovered, but which, by the prompt measures directed by the privy -council, who remained sitting the greatest part of night, had been -happily destroyed by the arrest and dispersion of the conspirators. -Before day-light the following proclamation was placarded in all the -leading places in and about London:—</p> - -<blockquote><p class="center">LONDON GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY,</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Thursday, February 24, 1820</i>.</p> - -<p>Whereas <i>Arthur Thistlewood</i> stands charged with high treason, -and also with the wilful murder of Richard Smithers, a reward of -<i>One Thousand Pounds</i> is hereby offered to any person or persons -who shall discover and apprehend, or cause to be discovered or -apprehended, the said Arthur Thistlewood, to be paid by the -lords commissioners of his majesty’s treasury; upon his being -apprehended and lodged in any of his Majesty’s gaols. And all -persons are hereby cautioned upon their allegiance not to receive -or harbour the said Arthur Thistlewood, as any person offending -herein will be thereby guilty of high treason.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Sidmouth.</span></p> - -<p>The above-named Arthur Thistlewood is about forty-eight years of -age, five feet ten inches high, has a sallow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> complexion, long -visage, dark hair, (a little grey), dark hazel eyes and arched -eye-brows, a wide mouth and a good set of teeth, has a scar -under his right jaw, is slender made, and has the appearance of -a military man; was born in Lincolnshire, and apprenticed to an -apothecary at Newark; usually wears a blue long coat and blue -pantaloons, and has been a lieutenant in the militia.</p></blockquote> - -<p>The particular part of the plan of the traitorous conspirators, which -had been frustrated by their arrest the previous evening, was the -following; and its atrocity fully justified the alarming impression -which the first rumours had created.</p> - -<p>It had been ascertained by the gang, that the greater part of his -majesty’s ministers were to dine together at the Earl of Harrowby’s, -and this was considered as a favourable opportunity for effecting -their entire extermination: Thistlewood was to have knocked at Lord -Harrowby’s door, with a letter, purporting to be a despatch, or with -a red box, such as is used in all the public offices, desiring it to -be delivered immediately to the cabinet ministers at dinner, without -delay. The servant, it was supposed, would immediately proceed with -the despatch, while Thistlewood, with another of the conspirators, -entered the hall as if to wait. They were immediately to open the -street-door, others were to come in with hand-grenades, which were to -be thrown into the house; and, in the confusion produced by them, all -the rest of the conspirators were to rush into the dining-room, where -the ministers were at dinner, and the work of assassination was to have -been instantly begun.</p> - -<p>The sensations thus excited in the public mind, were by no means -allayed, when, in the course of the day, the details of the horrible -transaction began to develope themselves; every one felt a breathless -anxiety to probe to the bottom the secret workings of so detestable a -conspiracy, confidence between man and man became weakened, and that -social intercourse<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> which constitutes the peculiar charm of society in -this happy country, seemed to be placed at the mercy of the midnight -assassin; the only hope left to the upright and the loyal portion of -the community was, that the discovery would finally terminate in the -beneficial result of purging society of some of the foulest members -that apparently ever moved in it.</p> - -<p>For some time previous to the day on which the arrests took place, it -had been known to his Majesty’s government, that an attempt at the -assassination of his Majesty’s ministers was meditating, and that -Arthur Thistlewood was at the bottom of it. On Tuesday, the 22d of -February, certain advice was received, that the attempt was to be made -on Wednesday night, at the Earl of Harrowby’s, in Grosvenor-square. It -is supposed that the Earl of Harrowby’s was fixed upon, because, being -nearer the outlet from London than the residence of any other of the -cabinet ministers (Lord Westmoreland’s excepted, who lives in the same -square,) escape out of town, after the attempt had been made, would -have been more easy. Be this as it may, the conspirators, as soon as -they had ascertained that the cabinet dinner was to be held there, lost -no time in arranging their dreadful and diabolical project.</p> - -<p>The place chosen to arrange finally their proceedings, to collect their -force, and to arm themselves, was near the Edgeware-road. John-street -is a short distance on the road, and intersected by another street, -called Cato-street.</p> - -<p>Cato-street is rather an obscure street, and inhabited by persons in -an humble class of life; it runs from John-street into Queen-street, -and is parallel with Newnham-street. It is open at one end for the -admission of carriages, but is closed by posts at the other. The -premises occupied by the conspirators consisted of a three-stall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> -stable, with a loft above, in a very dilapidated condition. They -are the property of General Watson, and have been recently in the -possession of an old servant of his, who had turned cow-keeper. From -this man they had been engaged by some of the diabolical crew whose -machinations have been so happily discovered. The people in Cato-street -were utterly ignorant that the stable was let until Wednesday, when -several persons were seen to go in and out, and carefully to lock the -door after them. Some of these individuals carried sacks, and parcels -of various descriptions.</p> - -<p>For two or three hours previous to the entrance of the stable, the -police-officers were on the spot, making their observations, but still -no suspicion was excited of the real object of their attack; and so -well was the plan of surprise laid, that, until the discharge of -fire-arms was heard, every thing remained perfectly quiet.</p> - -<p>Thus accurately informed of the intentions of the conspirators, -warrants were issued to apprehend them while they were assembled. These -warrants were put into the hands of the police-officers, under the able -direction of Richard Birnie, Esq., the chief magistrate of Bow-street. -A detachment of the Coldstream Guards from Portman-street barracks, -were also ordered to accompany the police-officers. They proceeded to -the place of meeting in Cato-street, the police-officers proceeding -first. The conspirators had taken the precaution to place a sentinel -below.</p> - -<p>The military consisted of the picket-guard of the 2d Coldstream -Regiment, which was stationed in Portman-street barracks. It consisted -of thirty men, including a sergeant and corporal, and commanded by -Captain Frederick Fitzclarence, who happened to be on duty at the -time. They were called out about a quarter to eight o’clock; each -man provided with twenty rounds of ball<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> cartridge. The detachment -immediately proceeded in the direction of the Edgware-road. The men -were not acquainted with the business on which they were called out. -They supposed a fire had taken place, and that they had been sent for -to protect the property. On their arrival within about sixty yards -of the house in Cato-street, John-street, the place of the meeting, -they were halted for a few minutes, during which they were ordered by -Captain Fitzclarence to fix bayonets and shoulder arms. They were also -enjoined to observe the strictest silence. The detachment then marched -on, but had not proceeded more than a few yards when they heard the -noise of fire-arms. They were then ordered to advance in double quick -time, and instantly came in junction with the civil officers, who had -arrived previously on the ground, and were engaged with the party in -the house.</p> - -<p>The only approach to this pandemonium was by a narrow ladder. Ruthven, -one of the principal Bow-street officers, led the way, and he was -followed by Ellis, Smithers, Surman, and others of the patrol. On the -door being opened, about twenty-seven or thirty men were seen within, -all armed in some way or other; and some of them engaged either in -charging fire-arms, or in girding themselves in belts similar to -those worn by the military, while others were in close and earnest -deliberation. There were tables about the room, on which lay a number -of cutlasses, bayonets, pistols, sword-belts, pistol-balls in great -quantities, ball-cartridges, <i>&c.</i></p> - -<p>As the officers entered the room, the conspirators all started up, when -Ruthven, who had been furnished with a warrant from the magistrates, -exclaimed—“We are peace-officers! Lay down your arms!” In a moment -all was confusion. The notorious Arthur Thistlewood, opposed himself -to the officers, armed with a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>cut-and-thrust sword of unusual length. -Ruthven attempted to secure the door, and Ellis, who had followed him -into the room, advanced towards the man, and, presenting his pistol, -exclaimed—“Drop your sword, or I’ll fire instantly!” Thistlewood -brandished his sword with increased violence, when Smithers, the other -patrol, rushed forward to seize him; and on the instant the ruffian -stabbed him to the heart. Poor Smithers fell into the arms of his -brother-officer, Ellis, exclaiming—“Oh, God! I am——” and in the next -instant was a corpse.</p> - -<p>Whilst this deed was doing, the lights were extinguished, and a -desperate struggle ensued, in which many of the officers were severely -wounded. Surman, one of the patrol, received a musket-ball on the -temple, but fortunately it only glanced along the side of his head, -tearing up the scalp in its way. The conspirators kept up an incessant -fire; whilst it was evident to the officers that many of them were -escaping by some back way. Mr. Birnie exposed himself every where, -and encouraged the officers to do their duty, whilst the balls were -whizzing round his head. At this moment Captain Fitzclarence (a young -officer well known for his gallantry and gentlemanly conduct) arrived -at the head of the detachment of the Coldstream Guards. They surrounded -the building, and Captain Fitzclarence, with Sergeant Legge and three -files of grenadiers entered the stable, where the first object that -presented itself to their sight, was one of the party running out of -the stable, apparently with intention to make his escape. He was seized -by one of the soldiers, when the ruffian instantly approached the -gallant captain, and presented a pistol at his breast; but, as he was -in the act of pulling the trigger, Sergeant Legge rushed forward, and, -whilst attempting to put aside the destructive weapon, received the -fire upon his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> arm. Fortunately for this brave man, the ball glanced -along his arm, tearing the sleeve of his jacket, from the wrist to the -elbow, and only slightly wounding him.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i010.jpg" alt="Exteriorand Interior views" /></div> - -<p>A black man was the next that was started from his place of -concealment; he was armed with a cutlass. He also aimed a blow at -Captain Fitzclarence, but was seized and secured by one of the -soldiers, James Basey, without any injury to the latter but a slight -cut on the finger. Then addressing himself to his friends in the house, -he exclaimed, “Fight on while you have a drop of blood in you—you may -as well die now as at another time.”</p> - -<p>The detachment was then ordered to rush forward which they did, headed -by their captain, who darted into a stall, and seized by the collar a -fellow who was standing in it, and who grappled with him with one hand, -while he attempted to fire a pistol at him with the other, which did -not go off, the powder flashing in the pan. The miscreant still holding -firmly by the coat, the captain called out to his men to disengage -him. Two of them, James Revel and James Basey, immediately seized him, -and he surrendered himself, saying, “Do not kill me, and I’ll tell -you all.” This scene took place in the stable on the ground-floor. -It was a three-stalled stable, with a hay-loft over it, with which -it communicated by a ladder placed at one end. The detachment led by -Captain Fitzclarence then mounted the ladder and into the loft, now -filled with smoke, and only illuminated by the occasional flashes of -the fire-arms of the conspirators.</p> - -<p>In the confusion naturally occasioned by the contest, Thistlewood -contrived to make his escape, almost unobserved, and the constables -had by this time retired for the purpose of surrounding the house, and -intercepting the flight of any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> others of the gang. On entering the -loft, the military came in contact with the dead body of the murdered -Smithers, (the constable), and a ruffian lying at his side all covered -with the blood of the dead man. The fellow rose, and did not appear to -have sustained any hurt or injury. Addressing himself to the soldiers, -he said, “I hope they will make a difference between the innocent and -the guilty.” Three others were next taken together; they were huddled -in a corner among some shavings. One of them jumping out said, “I -resign myself; there is no harm; I was brought in here innocent this -afternoon.”</p> - -<p>These four were all of them found by the soldiers in the room, making, -with the man taken below in the stall, and the two outside, seven -prisoners. The constables had previously taken two, one of whom made -his escape down the street, but was pursued and re-taken. The moment he -was caught he fired a pistol, which he had concealed on his person: it -went off, but did no injury.</p> - -<p>Muddock, one of the soldiers, when he entered the loft, in the midst -of darkness, ran against something which he at the moment conceived -to be a part of the building. He was, however, soon undeceived, by a -wretch snapping a pistol at him, which happily missed fire. Failing in -this detestable purpose, the miscreant threw himself on the ground, -exclaiming, “<i>Use me honourably</i>,” and the gallant soldier contented -himself with making him prisoner. When this was mentioned to Captain -Fitzclarence, he asked Muddock why he had not stuck his opponent; the -reply of the brave fellow was, “Why, your honour, I had him by the -heels, and I took his pistol from him, and I wanted no more.” The -pistol was loaded nearly to the muzzle.</p> - -<p>It is impossible to give a minute detail of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> desperate conflict -which took place, or the numerous instances of personal daring -manifested by the peace-officers and the military, thus brought into -sudden contact with a band of assassins in their obscure den, and in -utter darkness. Unfortunately, this darkness favoured the escape of -many of the wretches, and the dreadful skirmish ended in the capture of -only nine of them. The military, on searching the loft, found a great -quantity of pistols, blunderbusses, swords, and pikes, about sixteen -inches long, made to screw into a handle. They also found a great many -common files, sharpened to a point at the ends, and made to be used as -pikes: they also found a large quantity of ammunition, consisting of -ball-cartridges, powder-flasks, slugs wrapt up in paper, and a sack -full of hand-grenades. The military, accompanied by the constables, -then withdrew, and proceeded to Bow-street-office with their prisoners.</p> - -<p>The soldiers were laden with the arms and ammunition which they found -in the stable; and having delivered their prisoners and booty, four of -them were examined briefly by the Magistrates, <i>viz.</i>, James Revel, -James Basey, William Curtis, and John Muddock. They identified the -prisoners who were then standing at the bar, as the persons whom they -had taken in the stable. The fire-arms and ammunition were then shown -to them, which they also identified. Captain Fitzclarence, with his -detachment, then marched back to Portman-barracks, to which also they -conveyed the arms and ammunition taken, and deposited them in the -Captain’s room.</p> - -<p>Shortly after the arrival of the cavalcade at the police-office, in -Bow-street, Mr. Birnie, the Magistrate, arrived, and having taken -his seat at the bench, the prisoners were placed at the bar in the -following order:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>James Ings, a butcher,<br /> -James Wilson, a tailor,<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>Richard Bradburn, a carpenter,<br /> -James Gilchrist, a shoemaker,<br /> -Charles Cooper, a bootmaker,<br /> -Richard Tidd, a bootmaker,<br /> -John Monument, a shoemaker,<br /> -John Shaw, a carpenter, and<br /> -William Davidson, a cabinet-maker.</p></blockquote> - -<p>Davidson is a man of colour, and a worthy coadjutor of Messrs. Watson, -Thistlewood, and Co., upon many occasions. At the meeting in Finsbury -market-place, a few months ago, this fellow was one of the principal -speakers, and advised the persons assembled to go armed to all public -meetings; and was also the bearer of the black flag, with a death’s -head, in the mob which attempted to excite a tumult in Covent-garden, -during the election. When Ellis, the officer, was putting the handcuffs -on him, he amused himself by vociferating passages from the popular air -of “Scots wha ha’e wi’ Wallace bled,” and frequently exclaiming, “B—st -and d—n the eyes of all those who would not die for liberty.”</p> - -<p>Ings is a fierce ruffian, a short stout man, apparently between 30 -and 40, but of most determined aspect. His hands were covered with -blood; and as he stood at the bar, manacled to one of his wretched -confederates, his large fiery eyes glared round upon the spectators -with an expression truly horrible. The rest had nothing extraordinary -in their appearance. They were for the most part men of short stature, -mean exterior, and unmarked physiognomy.</p> - -<p>The office was crowded with soldiers and officers, bringing in -arms and ammunition of various kinds, which had been taken on the -premises; muskets, carabines, broad-swords, pistols, blunderbusses, -belts, and cartouch-boxes, ball cartridges, gunpowder, (found loose -in the pockets of the prisoners), haversacks, and a large bundle of -singularly-constructed stilettoes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> These latter were about 18 inches -long, and triangular in form: two of the sides being concave, and the -other flat; the lower extremity having been flattened, and then wrung -round spirally, so as to make a firm grip, and ending in a screw, as if -to fit into the top of a staff. Several staves indeed were produced, -fitted at one end with a screwed socket; and no doubt they were -intended to receive this formidable weapon.</p> - -<p>The depositions of a number of officers, most of them wounded, -and several of the soldiers, having been taken, their evidence -substantiating the foregoing narrative, the prisoners were asked -whether they wished to say any thing? Cooper, and Davidson the -black, were the only ones who replied, and they merely appealed to -the officers and soldiers to say, whether they had not instantly -surrendered themselves. Ellis, the patrol, who received the murdered -body of his comrade Smithers in his arms, replied, that Davidson -had made the most resistance. At the moment when the lights were -extinguished, he had rushed out of the place, armed with a carbine, and -wearing white cross-belts. Ellis pursued him a considerable distance -along John-street; and, having caught him, they fell together, and in -the deadly struggle which ensued, Davidson discharged his carbine, but -without effect, and Ellis succeeded in securing him.</p> - -<p>Captain Fitzclarence had seized and secured one or two of the prisoners -with his own hands, and he was not only much bruised, but his uniform -was almost torn to pieces.</p> - -<p class="space-above">We will here shortly digress, for the purpose of stating the immediate -circumstances which led to the frustration of the sanguinary plot, and -the arrest of its fiend-like authors.</p> - -<p>It had been for some time well known to government, that Thistlewood, -forgetful of his <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>narrow escape on the former occasion of an indictment -for High Treason<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1">[1]</a>, and, as it were, unconscious of the blessings -of that constitution, which in the equal and upright administration -of justice to all, gives to the accused party the advantage of the -conscientious doubts of the jury, and which beneficent feature in the -trial by a British Jury had alone saved him from condign punishment, -had never ceased to pursue his disloyal and traitorous designs, but -had still continued in darkness and obscurity, to hatch new plots, -as preposterous as diabolical, and to entrap new agents, as weak as -they were wicked, and as certain of being ultimately involved in the -same sacrifice to public justice, as he himself seemed devoted to by a -besotted perseverance in his horrid principles.</p> - -<p>Conscious, however, as were the ministers that some dreadful scheme was -perfecting, and that a tremendous blow was about to be struck, they -were ignorant of the time or nature of the intended movement, until the -very day destined for its consummation, when a communication was made -to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, by Lord Harrowby, -who stated that he had that morning been stopped by a man, when riding -in St James’s-park, who delivered to him a letter, the contents of -which were, that a gang of assassins were to assassinate his Lordship -and the rest of the cabinet ministers, when assembled at his house on -the evening of that day at a cabinet dinner. His Lordship, although -he did not know the man, listened to his representation, in addition -to the contents of the letter, and afterwards consulted his brother -ministers upon the subject; and they immediately determined to postpone -the cabinet dinner.</p> - -<p>The discovery, indeed, of the infamous wretches<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> and their intended -diabolical act is next to a miracle, and is only to be attributed -to the determination and perseverance of the man who made the -communication to the earl of Harrowby: he called at his lordship’s -house, in Grosvenor-square, on Wednesday morning, (the 23d), between -eleven and twelve o’clock, and inquired of the porter if the noble -earl was at home? The porter replied in the negative. The man appeared -very anxious to see his lordship, but the porter did not give him any -hopes, as he refused to tell his business; the man, however, urged -the necessity of seeing his lordship, without loss of time; and at -length he observed, that if he did not see him, the porter would -not be sitting in his chair in the hall to-morrow. This observation -astonished the porter, and induced him to believe that the man really -had something of a serious and alarming nature to communicate to the -noble earl: he then told him that his lordship was riding on horseback -in the park, directed him to that part in which he was most likely to -find him, and described his groom and the livery he wore, <i>&c.</i> The -man hastened to the Park, and discovered the groom, as described by -the porter, hailed him, and asked him if the gentleman before was the -earl of Harrowby? The groom replied in the affirmative. The man then -told him, that he wanted and must speak with his lordship. The groom -informed his noble master, who immediately stopped his horse. The -man then presented a letter to him, which the earl opened and read. -The man having informed him that he had a deal more to communicate, -his lordship dismounted, and walked and talked with the man for some -time; and the result of their interview was the communication to the -secretary of state, of which we have just spoken.</p> - -<p>Precautions were immediately taken at the secretary of state’s office, -for the discovery and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>apprehension of the villains. The first -intimation that was given of the affair at the office in Bow-street -was at past seven o’clock, when it was made known that a number of -officers, constables, and patrol, would be wanted. Ellis, who is a -conductor of a party of patrol, was ordered to leave his division, and -repair to the office with the men under his direction. The expedition -upon which they were to be sent was kept a secret till they started, -which was between half-past eight o’clock and nine. The place of -rendezvous of the assassins was in Cato-street, John-street, in the -Edgware-road, where the neighbours had become alarmed by a number of -strange men assembling in a stable, and a loft over it, after dark; -sacks being hung up on the inside of the windows to prevent detection.</p> - -<p>In the course of the day inquiries had been made, and the result was, -that some desperate act was expected to take place. The ministers’ -servants were armed with pistols, and two officers or constables -appointed to each residence. The Earl of Harrowby and Viscount -Castlereagh dined with the Earl of Liverpool; and at nine o’clock -they went to the secretary of state’s office for the home department, -at which time all the cabinet ministers assembled. Mr. Birnie, the -magistrate, was directed by Viscount Sidmouth to be in Cato-street, -and in readiness to act in case of emergency. A party of the guards, -under the command of Captain Fitzclarence, was ordered to march to -Cato-street, to assist the police, if necessary. Unfortunately, -however, they were not clearly directed, or they did not understand -where the place was, as they were at the contrary end of the street -when the assassins commenced their murderous attack upon the officers, -and it was only by the discharge of pistols that they found out where -the building was. When the police-officers arrived, they found two -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>sentinels at the door, armed with guns and swords. These opposed -their admittance without the pass-word. The officers, however, soon -overpowered and secured them. They then gave an alarm, and the officers -heard by the noise in the loft that several persons were up stairs. -They ascended to the loft by a ladder which the conspirators themselves -had used; when the contest, which we have already described, ending in -the arrest of most of the conspirators, took place.</p> - -<p class="space-above">The same sources of information which led to the detection of -the conspiracy enabled the magistrates to trace the hiding-place -of Thistlewood. Instead of returning to his own lodgings in -Stanhope-street, Clare-market, it was discovered that he had proceeded -to an obscure house, No. 8, White-street, Little Moorfields. Thither, -at nine o’clock on Thursday morning, the 24th of February, Lavender, -Bishop, Ruthven, Salmon, and six of the patrol, were despatched. On -arriving at the house, three of the latter were placed at the front, -and three at the back door, to prevent escape. Bishop observed a room -on the ground-floor, the door of which he tried to open, but found it -locked. He called to a woman in the opposite apartment, whose name -is Harris, to fetch him the key. She hesitated, but at last brought -it. He then opened the door softly. The light was partially excluded, -from the shutters being shut; but he perceived a bed in the corner, -and advanced. At that instant a head was gently raised from under the -blankets, and the countenance of Thistlewood was presented to his -view. Bishop drew a pistol, and presenting it at him, exclaimed, “Mr. -Thistlewood, I am a Bow-street officer; you are my prisoner:” and then, -“to make assurance doubly sure,” he threw himself upon him. Thistlewood -said, he would make no resistance. Lavender, Ruthven,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> and Salmon, -were then called, and the prisoner was permitted to rise. He had his -breeches and stockings on, and seemed much agitated. On being dressed, -he was handcuffed; in his pockets were found some ball-cartridges -and flints, the black girdle, or belt, which he was seen to wear in -Cato-street, and a sort of military silk sash.</p> - -<p>A hackney-coach was then sent for, and he was conveyed to Bow-street. -In his way thither he was asked by Bishop, what he meant to do with the -ball-cartridges; he declined answering any questions. He was followed -by a crowd of persons, who repeatedly cried out, “Hang the villain! -hang the assassin!” and used other exclamations of a similar nature.</p> - -<p>When he arrived at Bow-street, he was first taken into the public -office, but subsequently into a private room, where he was heard, -unguardedly, to say, that “he knew he had killed one man, and he only -hoped it was Stafford;” meaning Mr. Stafford, the chief clerk of the -office, to whose unremitting exertions in the detection of public -delinquents too much praise cannot be given.</p> - -<p>Mr. Birnie, having taken a short examination of the prisoner, sent -him to Whitehall to be examined by the Privy-Council. Here the crowd -was as great as that which had been collected in Bow-street. Persons -of the highest rank came pouring into the Home Office, to learn the -particulars of what had transpired.</p> - -<p>The arrest of Thistlewood was heard with infinite satisfaction; he was -placed in a room on the ground-floor, and a vast number of persons -were admitted in their turn to see him. His appearance was most -forbidding. His countenance, at all times unfavourable, seemed now to -have acquired an additional degree of malignity. His dark eye turned -upon the spectators as they came in, as if he expected to see some of -his <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>companions in guilt, who he had heard were to be brought thither. -He drank some porter that was handed to him, and occasionally asked -questions, principally as to the names of the persons who came to look -at him. Then he asked “to what gaol he should be sent?—he hoped not to -Horsham.” (This was the place in which he was confined, in consequence -of his conviction for sending a challenge to Lord Sidmouth.)</p> - -<p>At two o’clock he was conducted before the Privy-Council. He was -still handcuffed, but mounted the stairs with alacrity. On entering -the council-chamber he was placed at the foot of the table. He was -then addressed by the Lord Chancellor, who informed him that he stood -charged with the twofold crime of treason and murder; and asked him -whether he had anything to say for himself? He answered, that “he -should decline saying any thing on that occasion.”</p> - -<p>No persons were suffered to have access except those on business to the -public offices at Whitehall, nor was any individual allowed to hold -communication with the prisoner. About a dozen soldiers were in the -hall and adjoining lodge; they formed a part of the military escort -that accompanied the police-officers to the spot where Thistlewood -and his companions were first discovered. The soldiers had with them -the different articles and weapons found upon the party when taken, -among which were two small pistols, one of them loaded, and a bundle -of files, similar to those used in small brasswork. The points of such -files are always sharp, and the part of the file which goes into the -handle is necessarily pointed, to penetrate the hole made in the wood -for its reception; some of the files appeared, however, to have had the -handle-points brightened, and the ends made more fine, as if by being -whetted upon a stone. There were also in the hall two or three bags,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> -containing three bayonets and some ammunition, made up in both small -and large cartridges. The soldiers who had seized those articles were -examined before the Privy-Council. After his examination, Thistlewood -was taken back to the room in which he had been previously placed; his -commitment to Coldbath-fields was made out, and he was conveyed to that -prison under the care of six officers. There was a partial shouting and -groaning, as the carriage in which he was placed drove off.</p> - -<p>The appearance of Thistlewood at this time was wretched in the extreme. -When in custody with Watson, Preston, and Hooper, on the charge for -high treason, he was a stout, active, cheerful-looking man, with -something of a fearless and determined cast of features. His deportment -at that time was free and unembarassed, with much of the air of a -sea-faring man. Within the six months previous to the present arrest, -his appearance had, in every respect, undergone a total change; he -had been seen constantly in the streets, dressed in a shabby manner; -his countenance squalid and emaciated, and his whole dress and the -expression of his features, denoting a man who was reduced to a state -of extreme indigence. He was generally observed walking or running -through the streets with eager impetuosity, and his shoes and an old -surtout coat, which he generally wore, bearing all the marks of the -poverty and distressed circumstances of the wearer.</p> - -<p>When before the Privy-Council, his dress was an old black coat and -waistcoat, which were thread-bare, corduroy breeches very much worn, -and old worsted stockings. His general appearance indicated great -distress; his limbs were slender, and his countenance squalid and -somewhat dejected. There was nothing of agitation in his manner. He sat -with his eyes chiefly fixed on the ground, except when he occasionally -raised<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> them to survey Members of the Privy-Council, as they passed -through the hall on their way to the Council-room.</p> - -<p>The following Privy-Councillors were present at his examination:—The -Duke of Wellington, the Earls of Harrowby, Liverpool, and Westmoreland, -Lords Sidmouth, Castlereagh, and Melville, the Chancellor of the -Exchequer, Mr. Canning, Mr. Wellesley Pole, Sir William Scott, the -Chief Baron of Scotland, the ex-Attorney-general, (Sir S. Shepherd), -Mr. Bragge Bathurst, and other members of the cabinet.</p> - -<p>It is impossible to describe the anxiety and horror which pervaded the -countenances of thousands of persons who went to view the scene of -action the day after the arrest. Through the whole of the day, and till -very late in the evening, several persons of the highest consideration -in the country visited the place. A man no way authorized, took -possession of the place, and imposed on the public by demanding a -shilling from each person for admission.</p> - -<p>The alarm in the neighbourhood, on hearing the report of fire-arms, and -the noise of contest on premises which they considered untenanted, may -be more easily conceived than described. It was heightened by every -circumstance of terror that the imagination could form to itself. -The house was surrounded with soldiers and police-officers—fighting -was heard within—officers were obscurely seen scaling a ladder and -entering the scene of battle, while their fate and the cause of the -combat were entirely unknown. Some of the persons belonging to the -public-house adjoining, after running to the spot, fled in dismay when -they heard the balls whistling about their ears.</p> - -<p>Several of the inhabitants of Cato-street had observed, since the -preceding Monday, strange-looking men coming about the empty premises. -On the morning of Wednesday, (the day of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> arrest) they saw -Davidson, the man of colour, and three others, watching at different -ends of the street, while some of their associates were heard nailing -up the windows within the loft. Before dusk Davidson again made his -appearance, with a sack on his back, which the neighbours at the time -supposed to contain carpenters’ tools for repairing or new-modelling -the interior of the building, but which had in fact conveyed the arms -with which they were to equip themselves for their daring enterprise. -After the arsenal was formed, the band arrived; and the people in the -public-house were surprised, if not alarmed, to see upwards of twenty -persons, entire strangers to the place, hovering about their premises, -and at last entering the den. Still they had no suspicion of what was -going forward, and no presentiment of what was in a short time to -occur. The police soon arrived, and the murderous struggle took place -which we have already described.</p> - -<p>The body of Smithers, who was murdered, was removed to the Horse and -Groom public-house, opposite. He must have died instantly, and without -convulsion. He received only one wound, about an inch below his right -breast, and about an inch in width. His body was exposed in a room on -the first floor of the public-house, above-mentioned, in the dress -in which he was killed. His breast and neck were covered with blood, -but his countenance was as placid, and his features as composed, as -if their expression had been arrested, and life extinguished, during -a tranquil sleep. On his death being mentioned to Lord Sidmouth, his -Lordship expressed great regret at the event, and sympathy for his -surviving widow; saying, with great humanity, that, as he could not, -restore to her her husband, he would take care that she should not want -his assistance in a pecuniary point of view. The unfortunate man’s -sister, from Putney,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> was one of the first to view the dead body of her -brother, and deeply affected the spectators with the poignancy of her -sorrow.</p> - -<p>The sword with which the murder of Smithers was perpetrated is of -foreign manufacture, and nearly a foot longer than those which we are -ordinarily in the habit of seeing.</p> - -<p>A lady, of the name of Northmore, who lives in a street immediately -adjoining that in which the conspirators assembled, found a <i>sabre</i> in -her yard, which had been thrown away by one of the gang, in his flight. -This also is a weapon of foreign manufacture, and, from its appearance, -had evidently been ground within a day or two. It was perfectly sharp -on both sides, and, in addition to its brass hilt, there was attached -to it a handkerchief, so disposed as to afford a sort of guard for the -arm. Mrs. Northmore, on finding the weapon, sent for a friend, who -advised her to transmit it to Bow-street. This was accordingly done; -and, extraordinary to relate, it was recognised by an active member of -that establishment as exactly representing one of two sabres, of which -a description had been given at the office, and which were known to -have been lately taken to a cutler, for the purpose of grinding.</p> - -<p>The hand-grenades found in the loft, and produced in the examination, -are about the size of a large orange, made of cast-iron, filled with -combustibles; they have a round hole, in which is placed a fuse, -which, on being set fire to, is thrown by the hand, and when it -falls it explodes: the splinters caused by the explosion spread in -all directions, and one of them has been known to kill ten or twelve -persons. It was intended to explode these horrible instruments at the -Earl of Harrowby’s house.</p> - -<p>After the committal of Thistlewood by the Privy-Council, the whole of -the prisoners underwent an examination, likewise by the Privy-Council; -and on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> their being re-committed, one of them proposed to become king’s -evidence, which offer was accepted.</p> - -<p>During the attendance of Mr. Birnie upon the Privy-Council on -Thistlewood’s examination, the officers arrived at Bow-street, with all -the persons found in the house where Thistlewood had been apprehended, -and Mr. <span class="smcap">J. E. Conant</span>, the magistrate, proceeded with their -examination; they consisted of the landlady of the house, Mrs. Hill, a -lodger, and Lewis Casper, a man who did not lodge in it.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Harris</span>, the landlady, stated, that her husband -worked at the letter-foundry of Messrs. Caslon and Catherwood, in -Chiswell-street, Moorfields. On Wednesday, the 23d of February, she -had a bill in her window to let her lodgings, when in the morning, -between ten and eleven o’clock, Thistlewood came into her house, and -inquired about the lodging: she told him it was only half a bed with -her nephew. Thistlewood agreed for the half bed, for which he was to -pay two shillings and sixpence a week, and was to take possession of -it that night. She at first said, that she had a slight knowledge -of Thistlewood, but denied it afterwards. It was supposed she was -concealing him, as he was locked up in the room. This she explained, -by saying the door flew open, and she could not keep it shut without -locking it. She said Thistlewood arrived at her house between ten and -eleven o’clock on Wednesday night: he observed that he was late; she -replied he was late, and she had almost given him up. He then went to -bed. Her street-door standing open only by a latch, the officers had -entered and searched the upper part before she knew they were there, -when they asked her to unlock the door where Thistlewood was in bed, -which she instantly did. She did not know Lewis Casper had been in her -house till she found him in the coach with her when they were brought -away. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Lewis Casper</span> stated himself to be a watch-finisher, residing -in Union-street, Bishopsgate, and accounted for his being in the house -by saying he was with Mrs. Hill, the lodger, who washed for him, and he -appointed his little boy to call for a key there.</p> - -<p>This man was detained till it was ascertained if he was the man he -represented himself to be. Mrs. Harris and Mrs. Hill were discharged -for the present.</p> - -<p>In the course of Thursday, the 24th of February, the following persons -were arrested as concerned in the conspiracy:—</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Brunt</span>, who was to have been second in command to Thistlewood. -He was a shoemaker; an excellent workman, and earned between forty and -fifty shillings a week. He was taken in bed. He had previously provided -himself with a sword and a brace of pistols, in case of need, but he -did not make use of them on this occasion. He was apprehended at his -lodgings in Fox-court, Gray’s-inn-lane; in his room a vast quantity of -hand-grenades, and other combustibles, were found. These were charged -with powder, pieces of old iron, and other materials, calculated upon -explosion to produce the most horrible consequences. A great number of -pike-blades, or stilettoes, such as were discovered in Cato-street, and -a number of fire-arms, were likewise found. The whole of these were -taken to Bow-street. He was afterwards sent to Whitehall, and then -committed to Coldbath-fields.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Firth</span>, the person by whom the stable was let to Harris. He -admitted that he has attended some of the Radical meetings, but denied -any knowledge of the conspiracy.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Cooper</span>, a shoemaker, living in Garden-court, -Baldwin’s-gardens: he was apprehended in the middle of the day.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Simmons</span>, a footman, living with a respectable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> family in -Seymour-street. He underwent an examination before the secretary of -state for the home department, and another before the magistrates at -Bow-street, was ultimately committed to Tothill-fields’ prison.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tadd</span>, a shoemaker, of whom the following account was given -at the period of his arrest. He is a man of the age of 49, and lived -with his wife and family in a small and miserable dwelling situated -in the Hole-in-the-Wall-passage, leading from Baldwin’s-gardens to -Torrington-street. His family consists of one daughter, and two orphan -children, whom he had taken under his care. Tadd has been esteemed -among his neighbours, and by those who have employed him in his trade, -as an industrious sober man, and an excellent workman. He has earned -by his own hands forty shillings a week, and very often even a greater -sum. During the whole course of his life, he was never known to neglect -his work, or become inebriated; but within the last week he had been -in a drunken state, and his family had been at a loss to account for -the extraordinary change in his conduct. On Wednesday night, three men -came to Tadd while in such a state of drunkenness as scarcely to be -able to keep his legs, and forced him away, notwithstanding the earnest -entreaties and remonstrances of his wife and family. Nothing was said -by the men who took him away, as to their object, either to the wife -or any one in the house; and during the whole night, and the greater -part of the next day, they were in total ignorance of the circumstances -since disclosed, and were at a loss to account for the absence of -Tadd. In the morning (Thursday), between seven and eight o’clock, two -men came to the house, laden with a box of a considerable size, and, -putting it down on the floor, said, “they would call in a few minutes -for it.” The men refused to answer the interrogatories put to them as -to their object in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> leaving the box, and only repeated, that, they -would call in a short time, and take it away. Very soon afterwards, -two more men came with a large bundle of sticks, some of them of the -thickness of a man’s wrist. These were left in a similar manner, and -the men also refused to answer any questions, saying only, that they -would call again for them in a few minutes. Ten minutes had not elapsed -before two police-officers entered the house, and seized the box and -sticks. When opened, the box was discovered to contain a great number -of pike-heads, sharpened ready for use. The sticks were also seized, -and carried away by the officers. It would appear, from this statement, -that Tadd was taken by the three men whom we have described to the -stable in Cato-street, where he was subsequently apprehended, and -carried to Bow-street, together with several others.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Robert Adams</span>, living in a miserable hovel in Brooks’-market, -Holborn, and working as a shoemaker. He some time since was a private -in the Royal Horse-guards, in which regiment he served for five years. -He very much resembles Thistlewood in his person, but has a cast in his -left eye.</p> - -<p>In addition to these arrests, several warrants were issued, among which -was one against a native of France.</p> - -<p>The lodgings of Thistlewood, and of all the others who were taken into -custody, were searched, and several important papers, and quantities of -arms, were discovered and seized. Among those found in Thistlewood’s -apartment was a copy of the bill furnished to Dr. <span class="smcap">Watson</span> -by Mr. Ottley, owner of the Crown and Anchor Tavern, in the Strand, -for the expenses of the dinner given to Hunt, on his return from -Manchester. Judging from his former connexions, it may be considered as -fortunate for the Doctor that he was not able to liquidate this debt, -being at the time of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> arrests an inmate of Whitecross-street prison -on account of this bill, and thus saved from the temptation of joining -his former associates.</p> - -<p>It is a singular fact, that when Thistlewood was arrested, he had not a -farthing of money in his possession. The same observation may be made -with respect to his comrades, all of whom were in the most wretched -state of poverty.</p> - -<p class="space-above">We will here suspend for a time the particulars of the proceedings -against the Conspirators, for the purpose of recording the proceedings -of the <span class="smcap">Coroner’s Inquest</span> on the body of <span class="smcap">Richard -Smithers</span>, the unfortunate Bow-street officer, who was murdered, -as before stated, when in the execution of his duty, in Cato-street. -The inquest was held on Friday the 25th February, at the Horse and -Groom public-house, John-street, Edgeware-road, which is situated but -a few yards from the spot where the atrocious deed was perpetrated. In -the course of the day great numbers of persons visited the miserable -building which the Conspirators had selected as the scene of their -deliberations, and one universal feeling of horror and detestation -against Thistlewood and his infamous associates appeared to actuate the -multitude.</p> - -<p>The Coroner for the county of Middlesex, <span class="smcap">Thomas Stirling</span>, -Esq., having arrived, and proclamation having been made by the beadle -of the parish of St. Mary-le-bone, that the Jury summoned should -proceed to inquire “when, how, and by what means, Richard Smithers came -by his death,” the Jury were sworn.</p> - -<p>The foreman of the jury observed to the coroner, that he and his -fellow-jurors wished to inspect the body in the presence of the -surgeon, in order that he might be ready to answer any question that -might arise on the moment. This suggestion was complied with; and on -the return of the jury from viewing the body, </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Fisher</span>, the surgeon, was sworn, and deposed as follows:—I -am surgeon to the Police establishment in Bow-street. I was called upon -for the first time, this day, to examine the body of the deceased. I -found an external wound under the right breast. It was two inches in -length, and half an inch broad. I opened the body to ascertain the -depth and direction of the wound, and I discovered that some sharp -instrument had penetrated between the fifth and sixth ribs, wounded -the outward surface of the right lobe of the liver, passed through the -diaphragm into the chest, lacerated the pericardium, penetrated the -right ventricle of the heart, wounded the left lobe of the lungs, and -struck against the ribs on the left side. The wound I supposed to be -about twelve inches in length. The blood flowed from the heart, and -occasioned immediate death. The opening in the pericardium was larger -than that presented by the external wound, which was always the case -with wounds of this description. The weapon was prevented from passing -entirely through the body by the ribs on the left side. It must have -been a very sharp instrument, both pointed and cutting, to make such -a wound. The membranes, which were cut asunder, could only have been -severed by an exceedingly sharp instrument. That death was inevitable -after such a wound, the heart having been cut open, and the blood -effused into the cavity of the chest.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">George Thomas Ruthven</span> being sworn, said, I am an officer -belonging to the public-office in Bow-street. On Wednesday evening -last, at half-past eight o’clock, I was in this house. I received an -order from Mr. Birnie, who is a Justice of the Peace for the county of -Middlesex, to go to a shed or stable in Cato-street, in consequence of -a number of men being assembled there for treasonable purposes. There -was a warrant issued by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> Mr. Baker, a magistrate of Marlborough-street. -On entering the house, I observed in the lower place a man with a -cutlass at his side, and a musket on his shoulder. The door by which -I entered from the street was not fast; there were persons going in -and out; the man with the musket seemed as if he was guarding the -staircase; there was only one man on guard. Ellis, Smithers, the -deceased, and several others, went in with me. I don’t know how they -came in. They were of course ordered. They were all constables, in -number about a dozen. I was the first person that entered. Mr. Birnie, -the magistrate, was not there at that time; he was at hand in the -street, giving orders. The man who stood at the door as sentinel was -walking about. I did not stop to see what he did particularly, but -immediately called out to some of the party who followed to secure him. -I am not aware that they did secure him, for I immediately went up -the stairs. I believe that man was taken; but I am not aware that he -was apprehended then; I believe he was caught afterwards. I ascended -by a sort of step-ladder staircase. The stairs were so narrow, that -the officers were obliged to go one by one. When I got up to the top -of the ladder, I observed a sort of table or carpenter’s bench, and a -number of arms on it. Thistlewood was on the right-hand side of the -table. I know Thistlewood very well. I have followed him for days and -nights together. I think about twenty-four or twenty-five persons -were assembled. There were different sorts of arms on the table: a -variety of pistols and swords. They looked as if they were sorted out. -They were handing about as if they were giving or distributing them -to each other. Arthur Thistlewood was one. I am quite certain that -he was present: I have followed him for days together. He stood by -the side of the table handing arms about. He had on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> a sort of a long -brown coat, I think. I knew him as well as I knew my father; quite -as well. I could not be mistaken. I have no doubt whatever as to the -identity of Thistlewood. As soon as I thought that three or four of -the party were up, I said aloud, “We are officers, seize their arms.” -I did this to warn the people who we were. As soon as I said this, -they each took up what they could from the table, and retired to the -farther part of the room. Thistlewood, being near a door that leads -into a little closet over the coach-house, retired into that room. -He was not further from the door of the little room than I am from -that gentleman who is writing there (pointing to a gentleman who sat -writing within about four feet of witness). There were others in that -little room; how they got in there I cannot tell. I suppose there were -five or six, or four or five persons in it. The whole party appeared -at that time to be armed. Thistlewood, as he retired, had a sword in -his hand, which he moved in a menacing way to keep the officers off. -He was not striking with it, but moving his arm round as if to make -a stab. The sword appeared bright. As we approached, he retired; and -Smithers, who was within a pace of me to the right, stepped forward -with his staff. Thistlewood immediately stabbed him, and he fell on me. -A pistol was then fired; I know not by whom. I saw the swords of the -party directed against the candles, which were immediately put out. -Thistlewood stabbed the deceased in the right side as he approached. He -did not come out of the little room to do it. He was within the little -room, and thrust forward his arm to strike the blow. I saw the sword -he carried; it was bright, and glittered. I did not see the hilt. It -was a long blade, three feet and a half or four feet long. It appeared -straight; but he waved it in such a way, that my eyes might have -deceived me as to its shape. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> - -<p>When Smithers fell, he fell upon me, being stabbed on the right side, -and I standing a little to his left. I could not at the moment tell -whether he appeared to be much injured. In falling, he said, “Oh, Lord! -Oh, my God! I am done!” I believe these were his words, or something of -that sort.</p> - -<p>I don’t know whether Thistlewood drew the weapon out of his body; for -instantaneously a pistol was fired, and the lights were put out. I -have been enabled to recognise three of the persons who were in the -room, besides Thistlewood, I think, since. They are Shaw Strange; he -has another name; a man named Blackburn, and James Wilson. There was -another man who stood at the door, and fired at a sergeant; his name is -Tidd: I don’t know his christian name. The sergeant at whom he fired is -present. Tidd first attempted to fire a pistol at Captain Fitzclarence. -I seized his arm, and he pulled me down on him. I called on the -sergeant to take the pistol from him, and he fired at the sergeant and -tore his clothes. I am sure that Blackburn, Wilson, Shaw Strange, and -Tidd, were present. There were also two other persons taken, who had -been in this house (the Horse and Groom) in the course of the evening. -I did not recognise them in the room; but I know they were apprehended, -and, I believe, admitted that they had been there. They left a stick -behind them in the Horse and Groom; the end of it was evidently cut for -the purpose of holding a weapon.</p> - -<p>It was like a broom-stick, with a hole cut in the top. The persons -that I allude to have admitted that they were in the room at the time -the officers entered; but I do not know it. One of them was taken by -Captain Fitzclarence; I have seen him here before. These two persons -came in to drink a pint of porter, and left the stick behind them in a -mistake. One of them came back, and asked for a little walking-stick. -The boy, who thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> it a queer sort of a stick, had taken it -up-stairs, but returned it to the person who called for it. That stick -was at the public-office. These persons called at the Horse and Groom -an hour before the officers proceeded to the loft. Nothing took place -before the party fired, except my exclaiming, “We are officers—take -their arms.” When Smithers fell, a pistol was fired, and the lights -were put out. I cannot say by whom the pistol was fired. The moment -Smithers fell, somebody in the room where Thistlewood was, cried -out—“Kill the b——rs; throw them down stairs!” I also cried, “Aye, -kill them,” that they might mistake me for a friend. There were nine -persons taken that night. I was not present at the apprehension of all -of them. While I was securing two of them the rest were brought in. -After I had secured Tidd, Wilson, and Blackburn, I proceeded to secure -the others; they were then conveyed to Bow-street, and afterwards to -the House of Correction.</p> - -<p>Several of the party escaped; nine only being taken, and the number in -the room appearing to me to be about twenty-five.</p> - -<p>When the prisoners were secured by the soldiers, I went up into the -loft, and saw Smithers lying on his face; this was twenty minutes or -half an hour after the entrance had been made. There were hand-grenades -and arms lying about the room. I had no time before to pay attention -to Smithers. A man below stairs endeavoured to escape from the door; -he had a pistol in his hand. I called out, “Secure that man!” When -I did so, he lifted his arm, and attempted to fire the pistol at -Captain Fitzclarence; I caught hold of him, and the sergeant coming -up, I desired him to take the pistol. The man fired, and struck the -sergeant’s coat with a bullet.</p> - -<p>I believe only four of us got up. The party in the room fired directly -at the staircase, thinking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> we were coming up in numbers. If they had -not done so, they would have killed me, for I stood at one side of it.</p> - -<p>There was somebody below who I expected would take care of the -sentinel; but, in the confusion, he was handed from one to another, -and thus escaped for a few minutes. It was quite dark, and I could not -see the party escaping. There were, I think, twenty shots fired at us. -It appeared to me as if some shots were fired from the window into the -street to create alarm. The whole civil power present on the occasion -was not more than twelve or fourteen men. I do not know the man who -was acting as sentinel; I believe his name is Davidson. He is a man of -colour. I had not time to notice him particularly. I believe he was the -man who was walking at the foot of the stairs, with a cutlass by his -side, and a musket on his shoulder. I believe there was one light in -the lower part of the building where he was. Some one, however, cried -out, “They are up-stairs,” and we heard the clashing of arms. I cannot -identify the man who was below stairs, I cannot swear to him. There was -another officer shot on the left side of the head; he was dangerously -wounded; his name is Surman. Another officer, of the name of Westcott, -had two or three shots through his hat. One of the bullets struck him -on the finger, but did not hurt him materially. I was not wounded at -all. At the time I did not know friend from foe. Immediately when -the party cried out, “Kill the b——s,” I also said, “Kill them,” in -order to deceive them. I had a brace of pistols; one of them flashed -in the pan. The lights being out, I was afterwards afraid to fire, -lest I might kill one of my comrades. There was a latch to the door -which led into the street, and I found no difficulty in getting in. I -secured a considerable quantity of arms; amongst the rest there was a -large grenade, and several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> hand-grenades. The large one consisted of -a tin canister, with a plate at top, strengthened by several pieces of -iron, and bound round with a quantity of tarred rope. I got eight of -the hand-grenades; they were about the size of my doubled fist. I also -found in the room two swords, and some ball-cartridges, which are in my -possession.</p> - -<p>The large grenade weighs fourteen or fifteen pounds. It is a canister -strongly bound with tarred rope. It is not circular. A number of -pistols, swords, cartridges, and bullets, were also found in the room.</p> - -<p>No person but Thistlewood offered violence before the candles were -put out. There were likewise found in the room about three dozen of -weapons, which resembled a sort of bayonet. The bottom part had not -a socket like a bayonet, but a screw to fasten into a stick. I found -also a dozen of sticks, formed for the purpose of being fitted to those -bayonets.</p> - -<p>The bayonets appeared to be newly made. They are very rough, and not -at all brightened or polished. The balls I picked up in the room were -not fired from pistols. If they had, they would have been flattened; I -desired the men to pick the arms up, and each man to keep safely what -he found: in consequence, some were in the possession of one man, and -some in that of another; two or three muskets were either found in the -room, or else taken from some of the persons who had been apprehended.</p> - -<p>The party had no notice but what I gave that we were officers.</p> - -<p>The deposition of this witness having been read over to, and signed by, -him,</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">James Ellis</span> was next called.—Having been sworn, he stated, -I live at No. 22, Paradise-row, Palmer’s-village, St. Margaret’s, -Westminster, and am an officer belonging to the Bow-street patrol.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> I -am also a constable. On Wednesday night last, about half-past seven -o’clock, Mr. Stafford, the chief clerk at Bow-street, directed me -to take Richard Smithers, John Surman, and William Gibbs, and to -proceed in a coach with them to John-street, Edgeware-road, as fast -as possible, there to meet Mr. Birnie, who would give us further -orders. We did so; and when we arrived at the spot, we found Mr. Birnie -waiting. He inquired whether we had seen any thing of the military. -We told him we had not. He said he expected them every minute. In -about twenty minutes Mr. Birnie called us together. Some inquiries -were made, but I don’t know of whom, as to what number were likely to -be in the room to which we were going, and whether Arthur Thistlewood -was to be there. Mr. Birnie gave me a warrant, signed by Mr. Baker, -of Marlborough-street, to apprehend Arthur Thistlewood and thirteen -other persons named in it. I have not the warrant; I have given it to -Mr. Baker. On our being called together, and Mr. Birnie being given to -understand that Thistlewood and others were in the room, he asked how -many there might be present, and was informed that there was about a -dozen. He then inquired how many there were of us. We told him about a -dozen also. He said he had been disappointed in the soldiers, who had -perhaps missed their way, and were half an hour too late, and that we -must proceed to apprehend the parties. We said we would do the best we -could. Smithers observed, if there were forty of them we would secure -them. Mr. Birnie then directed me to call Ruthven, another officer, -out of the Horse and Groom, and we were sent forward to the house, the -military not having come in time. Ruthven opened the door and went -in; it was a kind of stable where the meeting was held. Ruthven went -in first, I followed him. When I entered the stable I observed a man -with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> belts on, a musket or fusil on his arm, and a sword at his side. -I believe he held the musket in the position which soldiers do, when on -duty. He was walking backward and forward. Ruthven desired some person -to take charge of him. I took him by the collar, turned him half round, -and gave him to some other person, observing at the same time that he -was a man of colour. At that moment Ruthven was at the foot of the -ladder, up which he went. I followed as closely as I possibly could, -and was immediately followed by Smithers. Before I got up the ladder, I -heard a clattering of swords. I heard Ruthven say at that moment, “We -are officers, seize their arms,” or “lay down your arms,” I cannot tell -which. Upon gaining the top of the ladder, Ruthven turned a little to -the left, to go round a table or carpenter’s bench. I observed a number -of men falling back to the other end of the room. They were apparently -all armed. I also saw three or four men backing into the little room -on the right. They were all armed with swords or cutlasses. A tall -man immediately brandished a sword at me: his foot was advanced in a -fencing attitude, as if he meant to stab. I held up my staff in my left -hand, and presented a pistol at him with my right; I held up my staff -that he might see it, to shew him what I was. The light was then as -good as it is here: it was very lightsome: I desired the man to desist, -or I certainly would fire. I did not fire then, I did afterwards. I -did not know who the tall man was that threatened me at the time, but -I have seen him since, and I know it was Thistlewood. There were some -persons in the further room to the right. There was another closet -near to the ladder, which was not discovered nor opened for half an -hour afterwards. No one was found there. Smithers rushed past, and -endeavoured to get into the little room. I saw the tall man draw his -hand back, and make a thrust<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> of a sword at him, which I saw strike him -on the breast.</p> - -<p>It was the same tall man, Thistlewood, who had flourished his sword -at me. The manner in which he did it made me fix my eyes on him, so -as to mark the kind of countenance he had. Smithers, on being struck, -immediately threw up his hands, fell towards me, and exclaimed, “Oh! -my God!” I instantly fired at the man who killed Smithers, but I -missed him. Smithers fell against me at the time, so as to drive me to -the head of the stairs. A rush was then made by the party, and I was -knocked down from the top to the bottom of the ladder. The moment I -fired, the candles were all put out with the swords.</p> - -<p>I think there were four or five and twenty persons present. There were -four or five in the small room. The time was so short that very little -observation could be made. I ran to the door, when two or three shots -were fired in the stable below, where I was. I don’t know by whom they -were fired. It was in the dark, and I could not discover friend from -foe. I do not know that any officer fired except myself. I have not -heard of such a thing. When I arrived at the door, I heard a cry of -“Stop him,” and instantly saw a man running at the other side of the -street; I pursued, and took him in the street, about twenty yards from -the door. When laying hold of him, he made a cut at me with a long -sword. This was the man of colour. I received a cut, a very slight one, -in the leg. I think it was when his arm, in striking at me, swung round -my neck, that the sword, which was a very long one, hit my leg. The -man’s name is Davidson. I believe him to be the same man who kept the -door, but I will not positively swear to that. I took him to a shop at -the corner, and seized his fusil, which was that of a light-horseman, -but perhaps rather heavier. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> - -<p>I have seen Thistlewood, and I believe him to be the man that struck -Smithers. I did not know him at the time. I saw him for six or seven -seconds, or more, when he brandished his sword at me, until he went -towards the little room. On seeing that, Smithers rushed forward, and -the moment he got near the door, I saw him struck. I was sure that he -was killed. It was a stab—a thrust—he received. The sword was long, -very bright, and triflingly turned at the end. It seemed sharp on both -sides. He brandished it at me. The whole space of this time was not -more than ten or twelve seconds. I saw the man with his sword, before -I got to the top of the ladder. As soon as Davidson was secured, I -returned to the place, and I then found the military had come. I left -Davidson in a shop, with two of our people to take care of him. The -prisoners were all disarmed, and I proceeded to tie them together. I -was only a few minutes gone when I took Davidson. I stayed as little -time as I possibly could.</p> - -<p>As soon as I had tied the prisoners I went to Smithers; he was lying -on his face. I turned him up, and I believe he breathed faintly. I -afterwards found a pistol, a bayonet, a quantity of ball cartridges, -and several bullets. Many other weapons were found by the officers.</p> - -<p>I am most positive of the identity of Thistlewood. I feel no hesitation -on the subject.</p> - -<p>[Here the witness handed some of the bullets which he had taken to the -Jury.]</p> - -<p>Witness continued.—I was entering the centre of the room when Smithers -passed me. I had my eyes fixed on Thistlewood, when he was brandishing -his sword. I am able to recognize him, though I could not recognise any -of the others. I saw him for eight or ten seconds, but I cannot speak -to his dress: it was a dark dress, but I cannot speak to it distinctly. -I heard yesterday, that Thistlewood was the person who struck the -blow,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> but that did not affect my opinion. I would have sworn to him, -if it had not been mentioned. There were several persons wounded. An -officer named Biggs was wounded. The place where the business occurred -is not ten yards from this. It is the first stable down the yard, and -is, I think, on the north side of the street. When I fell down the -ladder, I fell on some of the officers who were coming up. I should -have been shot if I had not so fallen. There were several shots fired -in the stable. I had a cutlass by my side, but could not use it. The -flashes were numerous below, but I could not see who or what they were -who fired. In the confusion Davidson escaped, but I afterwards took -him. When I came back there were several persons in custody. There were -many shots fired from the window.</p> - -<p>We officers carry cutlasses, but they could be of no use against the -length of the swords which the party made use of.</p> - -<p>I cannot state the specific words of the warrant. It was given to me -in the street by Mr. Birnie, and has been placed in the hands of Mr. -Baker, the magistrate.</p> - -<p>The Coroner inquired of Pyall, the beadle, whether he had the warrant -in his possession, and was answered in the negative.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Witness</span>.—The warrant was in my possession; it authorized -us to apprehend Arthur Thistlewood and thirteen other persons named in -it, for unlawfully assembling together, but for what specific purpose -I cannot say, and to bring them before the sitting magistrate, to be -dealt with according to law.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Pyall</span>, the beadle, was despatched to Mr. Baker for the -warrant, and the deposition of Ellis having been read over to him, he -signed it.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">William Westcott</span> next underwent an examination to the -following effect:—I live at No. 10, Simmons-street, Sloane-square, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>Westminster, and am one of the assistant patrol of Bow-street.—On -Wednesday night last, I was sent to the stable in Cato-street, by order -of Mr. Birnie. I accompanied Ruthven, Ellis, Smithers, and others to -the spot. Ruthven went first, and I followed Smithers. I was behind -him in the stable. The moment Ruthven, Ellis, and Smithers had gone -up the ladder leading to the loft, I seized a man in the stable below -dressed like a butcher. His name I believe was Ings.—When I entered, -he rushed out against me: and finding resistance, put his hand to his -belt, as if to pull something out of it. I immediately knocked him down -by hitting him on the right eye. He was dressed in a long coat beneath -his jacket, and had an apron over the whole. This happened before the -first pistol was fired, and I was in the act of handcuffing him when -I heard a fresh pistol fired in the loft. I had not quite succeeded -before Thistlewood came down the ladder, and as he was upon the steps -fired a pistol; whether levelled at me or not I cannot say. Seeing me -so busily engaged in securing the butcher, he levelled another shot at -my head, and at the same time made several cuts at me with a sabre. The -pistol went off, and the shot penetrated my hat. I knocked him down -with the stick I had in my hand, but he rose and succeeded in making -his escape. While I was engaged with Thistlewood, Ings contrived to -make his escape also; when Thistlewood was gone, I found that I was -wounded in the hand, and that some shot had gone through the flap of my -coat. In the mean time both Thistlewood and Ings succeeded in getting -away. I pursued Thistlewood, but in vain, and after having followed him -through several streets, I returned to the stable. I then went into the -loft, and saw the deceased lying dead on the floor. There were several -persons present, and the prisoners had been subdued. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Jury asked the witness whether Thistlewood was the first who came -down the steps?—There was a complete rush, and I did not particularly -observe whether he did or not. Did he come down before the officer -Smithers fell?—I did not see the officer fall. You went with the -whole body of the officers?—Yes, I did. There were only three -officers, I understand, in the loft?—I believe no more. Where were -the others?—They were upon the scout. Then I understand that after -the three officers mentioned had gone up, Thistlewood came down, and -prevented others from ascending the steps? Yes; and he fired down the -steps to prevent the ascent of others.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Charles Moy.</span>—I live at No. 11, London court, Mary-le-bone, -and am a watchman. On Wednesday night, about half-past eight, I -apprehended Ings, while Brooks was in pursuit of him. He fired at -Brooks; but I cannot say what fire-arms he used, as he threw it down -before I reached him. Brooks cried out, Stop thief! and I immediately -apprehended him. The ball went through the coat and waistcoat of -Brooks, and grazed the top of his shoulder. I took Ings down to -Mary-le-bone watch-house, assisted by Brooks and another officer. I -searched him, and found seven or eight bullets in his pockets, some -gunpowder in a tin flasket, and a haversack. He had a kind of belt on -each side for pistols.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sergeant Legge</span>, of the 2d battalion of Coldstream Guards, was -next examined.—On Wednesday evening last I was called up about eight -o’clock, and received orders to march to John-street, Edgware-road. -I was then quartered in Portman-street barracks. A picket, usually -employed on occasions when the military is required in aid of the civil -power, was ordered out. It was commanded by Captain Fitzclarence. -Upon arriving at John-street, we were unable to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>ascertain the spot -whither we ought to proceed, and the captain advanced to ascertain what -we were to do. When he returned, he ordered the picket to advance at -double quick time. Upon reaching the stable in Cato-street, I observed -a man standing with a pistol in his hand. He presented it at Captain -Fitzclarence, and I knocked it aside with my pike. I then seized the -muzzle-end of the pistol with my hand, and a scuffle ensued between -the man and myself about the pistol. I kept firm hold of it till it -went off, and the ball passing by my arm, tore the cloth off my sleeve. -(Witness here exhibited the sleeve of his coat, which appeared to be -very much torn.) In wrestling with the prisoner, I held my face down -to the lock of the pistol, and as it went off the ball grazed my right -eyebrow. As soon as the pistol was discharged, the prisoner let go his -hold. I secured him, and delivered him over to the police. I believe -the prisoner’s name is Tidd. After this skirmish I followed my officer -and part of the picket up the steps into the loft. The greater part -of the picket had reached the loft before I was disengaged from the -prisoner. When I had reached the loft I discovered a table in the -centre of it, nearly covered with pistols, blunderbusses, ammunition, -and other arms of various descriptions. Three men had then surrendered; -I think their names were Monument, Cooper, and Gilchrist. I do not -recollect what police-officers were present at the time. Upon looking -on the floor, I saw the deceased lying dead at my feet. His body was -examined by the picket, and I perceived the wound on his right breast. -I was ordered back to the barracks for a reinforcement, and when I -returned, the whole of the prisoners taken that moment were collected -into the loft. Upon the arrival of the reinforcement, the prisoners -were conveyed to Bow-street.</p> - -<p>Here one of the jury observed, that the inquest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> had proceeded far -enough to ascertain the acts of Thistlewood. The Coroner replied, that -those who were aiding and abetting in the murder were equally guilty as -the principal; and it would be necessary to ascertain who they were, -and what they did.</p> - -<p>Here the examination was interrupted by the arrival of a messenger, -with a letter from Mr. Baker, the magistrate, to the Coroner. It was -read aloud, and was to the following effect:—</p> - -<p>“I beg to inform you, that I granted a warrant on Wednesday the 23d -instant, for the apprehension of Arthur Thistlewood, and several -others, on a charge of felony, and that I afterwards received from Mr. -Ellis an order to lay it before the Privy-Council on the examination -of the prisoners when in custody. It has not yet been returned to me, -nor do I think that I shall be able to obtain it at the present moment. -Perhaps it would be better to adjourn the inquest for the present, -and I will endeavour to get it for you to-morrow, or send you the -information, on which it was issued.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">William Sarmon.</span>—I live in Edgeware-road, and am a tailor by -trade. On Wednesday night, about eight o’clock, I was passing through -Cato-street, and when opposite to the stable I heard Westcott say that -Smithers had been stabbed. In two or three minutes afterwards two men -rushed out of the stable. One of the two cut me with a sabre on the -hat. He was a tall man dressed in a dark coat. He struck at me twice, -and hit my thigh, but fortunately did not wound me. I was so frightened -at the moment, that I could not tell which way he ran, and I did not -stop to look. There were many people in the street at the time. I do -not know the appearance of Thistlewood. I only observed that the man -who struck me was of a pale complexion, and wore a dark long coat. -The other man who <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>accompanied him out of the stable did not attempt -to strike me. They both passed behind me on the right hand, I think, -through the gateway towards John-street. I heard several shots within -the building, while I was standing opposite the stable. That night I -wore a loose coat, and by that means I was not wounded. I saw Westcott -go into the stable, and I knew him well. I had seen him many times -before.</p> - -<p>Here the examination of the witnesses terminated, and the Coroner -expressed a wish to receive some information respecting the christian -names of those who had been described as having been apprehended in -the stable. He thought there was no distinction between the case of -Thistlewood and the other prisoners; they all entertained the same -mischievous design, and shewed their purpose but too plainly, in being -so well furnished with fire-arms, hand-grenades, <i>&c.</i> He wished to -know whether the gentlemen of the Jury were satisfied with the evidence -already received.</p> - -<p>A juryman said, he wished to put a question to Ruthven, the officer, -before the verdict was pronounced; but Mr. Pyall, the summoning -officer, stated, that Ruthven had gone away, notwithstanding his -particular request that he should remain.</p> - -<p>The Coroner wished to know whether any of the Jury required an -adjournment of the inquest; if they did, he would willingly attend to -their request. The Jury unanimously declared that they were satisfied; -and the Coroner, in a formal manner, asked, “Is Arthur Thistlewood -guilty or not guilty of murder?”</p> - -<p><i>Foreman.</i>—Guilty.</p> - -<p><i>Coroner.</i>—Is William Davidson guilty of murder or manslaughter?</p> - -<p><i>Foreman.</i>—<i>Guilty of murder.</i></p> - -<p>One of the Jury wished to ask a question, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> he thought of some -importance, before the verdict was pronounced upon all the prisoners. -He wished to know whether those who might have met for a different -purpose were equally guilty of the murder with Thistlewood?</p> - -<p>The Coroner replied, that there could be no doubt that they were -implicated in the murder as much as Thistlewood himself, for whatever -illegal purpose they might have met. They had impeded the officer in -the execution of his duty, and one of them had killed him.</p> - -<p>A <i>Juryman</i>.—If any of the prisoners had been put in the same -situation as Thistlewood, they would probably have acted in the same -manner.</p> - -<p><i>Another Juryman.</i>—But are those who surrendered themselves equally -guilty?</p> - -<p><i>Coroner.</i>—There can be no doubt of it. They were all assembled for -one common purpose, and the act of one is the act of the whole. It -is clearly murder in them all. If a man intends to do a mischief to -another, and, instead of killing him, happens to kill a second, it is -equally murder, as if he had killed the man he intended.</p> - -<p>A <i>Juryman</i>.—Another doubt arises in my mind. Had not these men a -right to defend themselves, after the pistol had been fired by the -officer Ellis?</p> - -<p><i>Coroner.</i>—Certainly not; there cannot be a doubt upon it.</p> - -<p>The jury, by their foreman, then pronounced a verdict of “<i>Guilty of -Murder</i>” against the following prisoners: James Ings; Charles Cooper; -Richard Tidd; John Monument; John Charles Strange; Richard Blackburn; -James Wilson; James Gilchrist; and others unknown.</p> - -<p>In the course of the day, the afflicted parents of the deceased visited -the body, and showed much feeling upon the occasion. The old couple -were so decrepit as scarcely to be able to get up stairs. Smithers was -a stout, good-looking man, about thirty-three years of age. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> - -<p>In addition to the wound that was the immediate cause of the death of -Smithers, it was found that a pistol bullet had penetrated his shoulder -nearly six inches. It was extracted by Bennett, and was found to have -been cast from pewter. A second sabre wound was also found under his -blade-bone. In what manner these wounds were inflicted, there are no -means of knowing, but it is supposed they occurred after his fall.</p> - -<p>On Thursday afternoon, the 2d of March, at four o’clock, his remains -were removed from his lodgings in Carteret-street, in the Broadway, -Westminster, and buried in the church-yard of St. Margaret’s, -Westminster, amidst a great concourse of sympathizing spectators. It -was too trying a task for his widow to undertake to follow him to the -grave, and she was prevailed on not to attempt it. The deceased’s -father and brothers followed as principal mourners. They were succeeded -by some private friends, and a numerous assemblage of officers and -others belonging to Bow-street office; Mr. John Lavender, belonging to -Queen-square police-office, to which the deceased formerly belonged; -Mr. Armstrong and his son, both officers belonging to the police-office -in Worship-street; making in the whole 67 persons; thus showing the -last mark of respect to a departed officer, who had fallen a sacrifice -by the hands of a ferocious assassin.</p> - -<p>The procession passed through the following streets; the windows of -each house were filled with spectators of both sexes;—Tothill-street, -Dartmouth-street, Great and Little Queen-streets, Great George-street, -and through the grand opening leading to St. Margaret’s church. The -rush from the crowd to gain admittance into the latter place was -astonishing; but no accident occurred. The service was performed by -the Rev. Mr. Rodber. The church-yard was filled with an immense crowd -of persons of all descriptions, among<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> which were numerous soldiers -belonging to the Guards. A general regret and pity seemed to pervade -the whole of this vast assemblage at the melancholy fate of this -unfortunate man. The procession then returned through Tothill-street to -Carteret-street, when the officers returned to the undertaker’s. The -whole of this funeral was conducted in the most decorous manner; and -several magistrates were amongst the spectators.</p> - -<p class="space-above">On Sunday, the 27th of February, at one o’clock, the Cabinet Council -assembled at the secretary of state’s office for the home department, -to proceed with the investigation of the charges against the assassins. -Their lordships were assisted by the law officers.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Robert Adams</span>, late a private of the Royal Horse-Guards, and -who had become king’s evidence, was examined before their lordships, -which occupied their time till half-past two o’clock, which was then -too late an hour to proceed with the examination of <span class="smcap">Abel Hall</span>, -a tailor, who had been apprehended on Saturday morning by Lavender, -Bishop, and Salmon, the officers, in Seward-street, Chiswell-street.</p> - -<p>A quantity of ball-cartridges, a musket, and a cavalry sword, which -they found concealed in a ruinous shed at the back of a small house -near the Regent’s park, were this day produced. The woman occupying -the house was also brought up, but after a short examination she -was discharged. It did not appear that she had any knowledge of -these things being on her premises. These articles appear to have -been deposited in the place where they were found by some of the -conspirators in their retreat.</p> - -<p>On Monday, the 28th of February, the Privy-Council again met, and on -this day a proclamation was placarded in different parts of London, -offering a reward of 200<i>l.</i> for the apprehension of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> <span class="smcap">John -Palin</span>, <i>alias</i> <span class="smcap">Peeling</span>, who had been charged with high -treason. He was described as being a child’s chair-maker, and as having -been formerly a corporal in the East London Militia, and about forty -years of age.</p> - -<p>Private information was the same evening given to Lavender and -Bishop, that Palin, for whose apprehension the reward of 200<i>l.</i> -had been offered, was concealed in a house in the neighbourhood of -Battle-bridge. They proceeded immediately with their informer to the -spot described, but found that there was no ground for the suspicion -which had arisen. Though the officers did not find Palin, they found -three men and a woman of somewhat suspicious appearance. One man was in -bed, and said he was unwell. The patrol suspecting him to be one of the -Cato-street gang of assassins, and that he was in bed in consequence -of the bruises he had received, made him get up, when he was found to -have all his clothes on except his shoes. They stripped him, but he -had no bruises. The other two men were melting lead in a frying-pan. -One of the men lived at that place, the others in Monmouth-street -and Brownlow-street. They were all three brought to the office, and -underwent an examination before Mr. Birnie, when there being no charge -against them, and they not being known, they were discharged. It is -supposed that Palin might have taken the alarm, and escaped at the back -of the house while the officers were knocking at the door.</p> - -<p>The notorious <span class="smcap">Preston</span>, the cobbling politician, of Spa-fields’ -memory, was also this day arrested on suspicion of being concerned in -the plot, under a warrant issued by R. Birnie, Esq. It appears that -the lodgings of this man were searched a few days before, but nothing -of a suspicious nature was found. On those occasions he facetiously -said—“his armory could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> not boast of a swan-shot, nor his port-folio -of a scrap of paper of the slightest political interest.” Circumstances -afterwards transpired which led to his arrest upon a charge of high -treason. He was found industriously engaged in mending a shoe, with his -family about him. He was surprised at this new visit, but submitted -to his fate with cheerfulness, not unaccompanied by an apparent sense -of his own importance. His daughters were highly indignant at this -intrusion on their domestic privacy. The officers conducted their -prisoner to Bow-street office, from whence he was sent to the Marquis -of Anglesea public-house opposite. He was placed under the care of -Lack, one of the patrol. He called for “a pipe and pot,” and, seating -himself before the fire, seemed perfectly happy. He laughingly said to -a gentleman who went to see him, that he thought “the farce would not -be complete till he was taken.” He had previously denied all knowledge -of the late conspiracy. After being shortly examined before Mr. -Birnie, he was sent to Covent-garden watch-house, where he remained in -confinement during that night. On the following morning he was removed -from that place of confinement to the secretary of state’s office for -the home department, where, at twelve o’clock, the Lords of the Council -assembled, consisting of the Cabinet Ministers, the Marquis of Camden, -Mr. Peel, Sir William Scott, Sir John Nicholls, Mr. Sturges Bourne, -together with the Attorney and Solicitor-Generals, and other law -officers.</p> - -<p>Mr. Buller, one of the principal clerks of the council, attended to -take the minutes of the proceedings. When Preston was taken in before -the Lords of the Council he behaved with his usual boldness and low -insolence to most of their lordships personally. He called upon them -with the most ludicrously impudent arrogance, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> asked what they -meant by sending for him to disturb his peace of mind, and to disturb -the economy of his family, alluding to his three daughters binding -shoes, and himself making them.</p> - -<p>The examination of this impudent fellow lasted about half an hour, -after which he was committed to Tothillfields-bridewell in the custody -of two of the Bow-street officers. When he returned from the Council -Chamber he was almost breathless, and gasped out to those about -him—“Bless me, how I perspire! but I always do when I have any thing -like a subject to speak upon.” Whilst his commitment was making out, he -requested to be <i>assisted</i> with a little porter. Some porter was given -to him, and whilst he was drinking it Lord Castlereagh passed through -the hall, when Preston observed, “Aye, there he goes! His lordship will -remember what I have said to him as long as he lives. I have talked -more treason, as they call it, to-day, than ever I did in my whole life -before.” The porter seemed to inspire him, and he was proceeding with -more remarks, when the officers received his commitment, and he was led -to the coach which was to convey him to prison. A number of gentlemen -were assembled in the hall; and, as he passed through the midst of -them, he bowed and smiled on all sides, repeatedly saying, “God bless -you all.”</p> - -<p>In the course of the day an application was made at the police-office, -Bow-street, by one of Preston’s daughters, to be allowed to see her -father, and to deliver him some clean linen; she was referred by the -magistrate to Lord Sidmouth, and accordingly wrote the following -letter to his Lordship, which she carried to the office of the Home -Department, and delivered it to one of the messengers, while she waited -in the hall for an answer:—</p> - -<p>“My Lord,—I entreat your Lordship to allow an agonized daughter to -have an interview with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> her father, who was dragged from home, and -his family, consisting of three daughters besides myself, totally -unprotected, on a charge of which he is completely innocent, and of -which he has no knowledge whatever. My father’s house was searched four -times successively on four different days, and nothing was found that -could at all criminate him in the late dreadful proceedings.</p> - -<p>“I have called at Bow-street for the purpose of giving my father some -linen, and also to know if he could be held to bail, and have been -referred to your Lordship. I am now waiting in the lobby of the Home -Department Office with the linen to give to my father; and I hope your -Lordship will grant me an interview with him.</p> - -<p class="center">“I am, my Lord,</p> - -<p class="right">Your Lordship’s obedient humble servant, <br /> -<span class="smcap">Ann Preston</span>.”</p> - -<p>“<i>17, Princes-street, Drury-lane, Feb. 29.</i><br /> -<i>To Lord Viscount Sidmouth</i>, &c. &c.”</p> - -<p>After being absent some time, the messenger who carried the letter -to his Lordship returned, and told her she must call again on the -following day for an answer. She then inquired where her father -was, and was informed that he had been examined that day before the -Privy-Council, and had been committed. She then left the office in -tears.</p> - -<p>The next morning she waited at the office of the Home Department, -as she had been directed, for an answer to her application. She saw -Mr. Hobhouse, and was told by him, that she could not see her father -till after the following Friday; and, if she would call again on the -Saturday, she would probably have an order to see him. She waited in -the lobby until her father was brought out, after his examination -before the Privy-Council, and he looked very anxiously at her; but -they were not allowed to speak to each other. She had a bundle of -linen; and, when her father was conveyed to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> Tothill-fields prison, she -followed him, and gave the linen to the governor.</p> - -<p>About this time <span class="smcap">Waddington</span>, the fellow who had been brought -into some notoriety, by his arrest for being the bearer of a placard, -the object of which was to create an unlawful assembly on Kennington -Common, appeared before Mr. Hicks, the sitting magistrate at -Bow-street, and with ridiculous effrontery, stated that the reason -of his calling was to say that the officers had seized his books and -papers, which they were very welcome to do, as he had nothing in his -possession that he was ashamed of, or that could lead to any charge. -His landlady, who was present when his place was searched for books and -papers, told him that the officers had left a message, desiring him -to attend at the office, as he was wanted there; and he consequently -attended.</p> - -<p>Mr. Hicks, the magistrate, professed himself unacquainted with the -affair; but desired that inquiries should be made, and it turned out -that some of the police-officers had searched his lodgings, and had -seized his books and papers; but they denied having left any message -for his appearance at the office, and there was no doubt but that it -was a mistake of his landlady in relating to him what had passed.</p> - -<p>The magistrate informed him that he had no charge against him. -Waddington withdrew from the office, after telling the magistrate that -he might always be found when wanted.</p> - -<p>We are happy, however, to announce that this man has since relinquished -politics, and taken up the more quiet occupation of porter to a -tallow-chandler. From his former enthusiasm in <i>the cause</i>, however, -it was supposed possible that he might have afforded shelter to some -of his quondam friends, and accordingly the officers were directed -to search his lodgings. They found no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> trace of radicalism, except a -whole-length portrait of himself, blowing a horn, carrying a large -bundle of twopenny trash under his arm, and in his hat a paper, -inscribed “Order, order! Public Meeting in Smithfield on Wednesday -next.” Underneath was written “Samuel Waddington, printer and publisher -to the Radical Union.”</p> - -<p>Having had occasion to introduce the names of these men, who have -lately forced themselves on the notice of the Public by their absurd, -but highly mischievous, interference in politics, it may not be -thought altogether irrelevant if we introduce a description of the -<i>Radical Committee Room, at the White Lion, Wych-street</i>, this being -the rendezvous, or place of meeting, where these self-elected Radical -Committees held their nightly meetings.</p> - -<p>The White Lion was a public-house, but has very properly been deprived -of its license by the Magistrates. It is situated a short distance from -Newcastle-street, towards the New Inn; the entrance to it from the -street is up a dark narrow passage, about thirty yards long. In the -tap-room, over the embers of an expiring fire, sat a set of suspicious, -ill-looking fellows, huddled close together; whilst at a small deal -table to the right sat Mr. ——, with a book and some papers and -printed bills before him; from the obscurity of the place, having no -light but what proceeded from a candle placed before Mr. ——, or from -that in the bar, a stranger coming in would not be able to recognise -any of the faces on seeing them afterwards elsewhere. On the right -hand, on entering the house, is a small parlour; here of an evening -a select committee assembled, and no others were admitted. This was -the room in which the most private transactions were carried on; Mr. -Thistlewood or Dr. Watson always came out into the passage to speak -to any person who called there on business.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> In a very large room up -stairs, and which is occasionally used as a school-room, upwards of a -hundred ill-looking persons have assembled of an evening; in it the -open committee and loose members of the society met; it had ranges of -forms all round and across the room, and had hardly ever more than two -or three candles to illuminate it. Here their processions, <i>&c.</i>, were -arranged; their flags, <i>&c.</i>, kept; whilst the more private business -was carried on below in the parlour.</p> - -<p class="space-above">We now resume our narrative of the proceedings previous to the final -commitment of the prisoners for trial.</p> - -<p>On Thursday, March 2d, the Lords of the Council met by appointment -at the Secretary of State’s office for the Home Department, at -twelve o’clock in the forenoon, to deliberate on the charges against -the prisoners, and to determine on the best and most proper mode -of proceeding against them without interrogating the prisoners or -examining any witnesses. The meeting was attended by the Cabinet -Ministers, the Marquis Camden, Viscount Palmerston, Mr. C. P. -Yorke, the chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer in Scotland, the -Hon. R. Ryder, Sir John Nicholl, Mr. R. Peel, Mr. W. Huskisson, the -Master of the Rolls, and Mr. S. Bourne. There were also present the -Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General, and Mr. Baker, the magistrate -belonging to the police-office in Marlborough-street, who signed -the warrant for entering the premises in Cato-street, and for the -apprehension of the gang. Their lordships continued in deliberation -till near half-past two o’clock.</p> - -<p>In consequence of some mistake in the transmission of an order, a -number of the prisoners were brought up from Coldbath-fields prison, to -the Secretary of State’s office; but as their <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>lordships had determined -not to enter into any examination of the prisoners themselves on this -day, they were sent back under an escort, a few minutes after their -arrival.</p> - -<p>The next day another meeting of the lords of the council took place, -which was attended by the same persons as that on the previous day, -with the addition of Mr. Sheriff Rothwell, Sir William Curtis, and -other public characters.</p> - -<p>Soon after eleven o’clock in the morning, Lavender, Salmon, and -other officers, arrived in three coaches at Coldbath-fields prison, -with orders from the Secretary of State, to bring the conspirators -to Whitehall, for examination before the Privy Council. Mr. Adkins, -the governor of the prison, immediately delivered over the following -prisoners into the care of the officers, <i>viz.</i>, Thistlewood, Monument, -Wilson, Davidson, Tidd, Gilchrist, Ings, Bradburn, Shaw, Cooper, and -Brunt. They were immediately conveyed in the coaches provided for their -reception to Whitehall. The prisoners were all handcuffed to each other.</p> - -<p>About the time that this detachment reached Whitehall, Mr. Nodder, the -Keeper of Tothill-fields prison, arrived at the same place in a coach, -with Preston, Simmonds, Harrison, Hall, and Firth, the keeper of the -loft in Cato-street.</p> - -<p>The whole of the prisoners, on their arrival at Whitehall, were placed -in the first apartment. Those from the House of Correction were placed -in a line, handcuffed together, on the bench immediately facing the -entrance, and the Tothill-fields’ prisoners were seated on a bench at -the right-hand side of the room.</p> - -<p>The appearance of the whole was wretched in the extreme, and one or -two of them seemed mere boys. Thistlewood appeared quite downcast, -his features every day undergoing an alteration for the worse; his -complexion had become quite jaundiced, and his general appearance -nerveless<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> and emaciated; he wore the old brown surtout in which he -had been seen of late in the streets, and kept his eyes occasionally -gazing with indifference upon the strangers who thronged the room, -but mostly fixed on the ground. Davidson, the man of colour, seemed -perfectly at his ease, and talked cheerfully to the prisoner who sat -next him. Preston was not only quite composed, but enjoying a constant -smile of self-complacency at the inquisitiveness with which strangers -as they passed asked “Which is Preston?” “Which is Thistlewood?” -Preston seemed in his usual good spirits, and had not a little of the -appearance of having exhilarated them in the course of the morning by -a jolly draught. While the prisoners were in this room, a considerable -number of gentlemen were permitted to pass through the room, but none -to converse with them. The police-officers were stationed at the end of -each seat.</p> - -<p>The Council being assembled, they were examined singly before their -lordships.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Arthur Thistlewood</span> was the first who was called in. The -officers immediately unlocked the handcuff of the prisoner, and -conducted him to the Council-chamber. He went up stairs with great -alacrity, and being introduced, he was placed at the end of the table, -with an officer on each side of him. The Lord Chancellor presided, -and informed the prisoner that he was about to be committed upon the -double charge of high treason and murder. He made no reply; but looked -round at the assembled ministers with a malignant scowl. This was all -that passed, and he was immediately re-conducted to his companions: he -smiled as he came back, and returned to his former seat. In a short -time, as if in contempt of the authority by which he was coerced, he -put on his hat, and assuming a look of defiance, remained in that state -for the remainder of the day. All the other prisoners were subsequently -taken<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> up in the same manner. Monument and Simmonds were the last, and -these did not return for nearly half an hour. It appears that they, at -this time, endeavoured to make their peace by a disclosure of what they -knew.</p> - -<p>The soldiers engaged in the affair were then called in, and desired -to look at the men whom they thought they could recognise. Sergeant -Legge and nine privates were present. They soon came forth, and said -they had no doubt as to the identity of the men they had assisted in -securing. All the arms and ammunition taken from the prisoners, and in -Cato-street, were deposited in an adjoining room under a guard.</p> - -<p>When <span class="smcap">Ings</span> returned from the Council-chamber, he resumed his -seat with great sullenness; and as soon as the officers had replaced -his handcuffs, he and Thistlewood entered into conversation with great -eagerness. Thistlewood spoke almost in a whisper; but Ings was more -loud; and, at the close of their conference, he ejaculated, as if -talking to himself, but loud enough to be heard by all in the room—“It -is want of food which has brought us here. Death—death would be a -pleasure to me—I would sooner be hanged this instant, than turned into -the street there; for I should not know where to get a bit of bread for -my family; and if I had fifty necks, I’d rather have them all broken, -one after the other, than see my children starve!”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Preston</span> continued very talkative and lofty. He seemed bursting -with impatience to go before the Council; raising himself from his -chair every time the door opened, in hope of being the next called; -then sinking back into his seat with vexation and disappointment, and -exclaiming, “Oh! how I long to go up! My <i>genus</i> is so great just now, -I don’t think there is any man alive has so great a <i>genus</i> as mine is -at this moment.” Then he would pore upon the ground for a minute or -two in deep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> cogitation; and at length break out into the following -soliloquy:—“If it is the will of the Author of the World that I should -perish in the cause of freedom—his will, and not mine, be done! It -would be quite a triumph to me!—Quite a triumph to me!”—at the same -time throwing his arms about in a manner which savoured strongly of -insanity. It was not, however, his fate to be called before the council -at all at this time; though, when Thistlewood and some others expressed -regret that they had not applied to have their families admitted to see -them—he desired them very pompously to make themselves quite easy upon -that head, for he would take care to mention it in his speech to their -Lordships.</p> - -<p>Immediately after the prisoners had all been called in, an express was -sent off to Captain J. H. Elrington, fort-major of the Tower of London, -directing him to prepare for the immediate reception of ten state -prisoners.</p> - -<p>The whole of the examinations having been brought to a conclusion, -the council proceeded to deliberate upon the course which was to be -adopted with respect to each individual case. They remained thus -engaged for nearly two hours. During this interval the crowd in front -of the office greatly increased, and the most anxious entreaties were -made to be permitted to see the conspirators. These were in most cases -ineffectual. Only a few noblemen were permitted to enter, including -lord Westmoreland, lord Stair, and some others.</p> - -<p>The prisoners being themselves pretty well apprized of the charges -which were to be preferred against them, became less equivocal in -their behaviour. Wilson, Davidson, and Tidd, who were linked together, -were most daring. They laughed in derision at the persons who came to -view them, and seemed to be little affected by the situation in which -they were placed. Brunt,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> in imitation of his captain, put on his -hat, and thus assumed the character which has been assigned him, of -being second in command. At half past four Mr. Day, the clerk of the -papers, was sent for by Mr. Hobhouse, the under secretary of state, who -communicated to him the orders of the council.</p> - -<p>On Mr. Day’s return, he stated to Sir Nathaniel Conant and Mr. Baker, -who were remaining in his office, that eight of the prisoners were to -be forthwith committed to the Tower. He then produced the list, and -called over the names of the persons to whom he alluded. These were:</p> - -<table summary="prisoners"> - <tr> - <td class="left">Thistlewood, </td> - <td class="left">| </td> - <td class="left">Wilson,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Monument,</td> - <td class="left">| </td> - <td class="left">Harrison,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Brunt,</td> - <td class="left">| </td> - <td class="left">Davidson,</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">Ings,</td> - <td class="left">| </td> - <td class="left">Tidd.</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>The men came forth as they were called, and were handcuffed two and -two. A short time now elapsed while the warrant to the constable of -the Tower was preparing, and until messengers were despatched to -obtain carriages, and require the presence of an escort of the Life -Guards. This period was occupied by the prisoners in a sort of confused -conversation. Harrison and Thistlewood at once threw off all reserve, -and shook hands. The others began to speak freely. Davidson said he -should like about a pound of beef-steak and a pot of porter, and -his companions agreed that it would be no bad finish to their day’s -amusements. Thistlewood said aloud, “I hear the Spaniards are getting -on famously!” Wilson answered, “Are they—a cursed good job!” “Aye,” -replied Thistlewood, “They’ll all have it in their turn; they may -scrag a few of us, but there is more going on than they are aware of.” -Harrison laughed, and exclaimed, “Aye, time will show all things.”</p> - -<p>A bustle outside now announced the approach of the Horse Guards, who -drew up in a double<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> column in front of the office, under the command -of Captain Mayne. A hackney coach then drove up to the door, into -which Thistlewood and Brunt were put, accompanied by Mr. Ruff, one of -the king’s messengers, to whom the warrant was delivered, and by two -police-officers. The coach then drew off to a short distance, preceded -and followed by four of the Life Guards. A second carriage then came -up, into which Davidson and Ings were put; they were likewise guarded -by two officers. Ings, as he mounted the coach, exclaimed, “Hurra, -boys!” in expectation, no doubt, of having a cheer from the crowd -that was assembled. In this, however, he was disappointed; not a word -escaped from the lips of the by-standers at all in unison with the -principles of the conspirators—on the contrary, they seemed to be -viewed with feelings of strong disgust.</p> - -<p>Wilson and Tidd were placed in the third hackney coach: they went out -laughing; but, previous to their departure, they turned round, and, in -common with all those who had been confined in Cold Bath Fields prison, -begged to return their grateful thanks to Mr. Adkins, the governor, -and to his assistants, for the humane and kind treatment which they -had received while under their care: they also were guarded by two -police-officers. The last who went out were Harrison and Monument. The -latter, whose diminutive size made him appear somewhat ludicrous when -placed beside his gigantic companion, was greatly depressed. These men -were in like manner guarded by two of the Bow-street patrol. The whole -four carriages being now in readiness, and a constable having mounted -each box, the cavalcade set off, completely surrounded by the Horse -Guards.</p> - -<p>They proceeded over Westminster-bridge, and from thence by the -Westminster-road, through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> the Borough, and over London-bridge, -up Fish-street-hill, down Fenchurch-street, the Minories, across -Trinity-square to the Tower gate; and although followed all the way by -an immense throng, not one expression of commiseration was heard to -escape.</p> - -<p>Ings’s conduct was most daring: he continued to exclaim against His -Majesty’s Ministers with the most undisguised abuse, using language of -the most revolting nature. He either knew, or affected to know, many -persons in the crowd, to whom he nodded, and some of whom gave him a -significant shake of the head in return.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood made no observation: he seemed to be looking anxiously from -the coach window, as if to see if there were any persons passing whom -he could recognise.</p> - -<p>Brunt looked extremely gloomy, but did not say any thing.</p> - -<p>Davidson did not seem at all affected by his situation, and continued -in good humour.</p> - -<p>Wilson and Tidd laughed, and looked out of the coach windows with -apparent indifference; and little Monument seemed to have sunk into a -state of despair: he said he supposed he was not long for this world.</p> - -<p>On reaching the upper gate of the Tower, leading to the armoury, it was -found shut; but, on a regular summons being made, it was opened without -hesitation, and the prisoners and their guards admitted. Notice had -been sent off to the Tower, in the early part of the day, to prepare -rooms for the prisoners, but still it was with some difficulty that -secure apartments could be got in readiness; at last the necessary -accommodations were obtained, and the prisoners were left under the -care of the yeomen of the guard.</p> - -<p>The warrant upon which they were received by the constable of the -Tower, was to the following effect:— </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> - -<p>“You are hereby required to receive into your custody, Arthur -Thistlewood [then followed the names of the other prisoners] who stand -charged with high treason, and them safely to keep till discharged -by due course of law, for which this shall be your sufficient -authority.”—Then followed the names of the privy-council, commencing -with the Lord Chancellor, Earl Westmoreland, <i>&c.</i></p> - -<p>This warrant was written on a sheet of foolscap paper, with a black -border, and bore the official seal. It was accompanied by a private -note to the constable, containing instructions as to the manner in -which the prisoners were to be treated.</p> - -<p>They were accordingly received by Captain Elrington, the major of the -Tower, who, after some difficulty, from the shortness of the notice -which he had received, succeeded in finding them secure apartments.</p> - -<p>Each prisoner was placed in a separate apartment; two warders armed in -the usual way, with cutlasses and halberds, were placed in each room; -and at each door was stationed a sentinel armed, to whose care was -intrusted the key of the room, with strict orders not to permit more -than one warder to be absent at a time, and that only for occasional -purposes.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood was placed in the prison known by the name of the Bloody -Tower.</p> - -<p>Davidson was in the prison over the waterworks.</p> - -<p>Ings in a different room of the same prison.</p> - -<p>Monument in the prison at the back of the Horse-armory.</p> - -<p>Brunt and Harrison occupied separate apartments in the prison over the -Stone-kitchen.</p> - -<p>Tidd was secured in the Seven-gun Battery prison, and Wilson in the -prison over the parade.</p> - -<p>The prisoners were permitted to have, by the indulgence of the law, -what is called state <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>allowance, for their daily maintenance, which, -to such wretched poverty as theirs, must have made even their awful -situation, as compared with their confinement in Coldbath-fields, a -change for the better.</p> - -<p>The number of warders sufficient to do the ordinary duty of the Tower -is ten; but, as soon as the command for preparing the prisons reached -the proper quarter, directions were given to increase the number of -warders to sixty.</p> - -<p>The iron gate at the east end of the Tower was closed on the arrival of -the prisoners as usual upon such occasions.</p> - -<p>Immediately after the departure of the delinquents charged with the -crime of high treason, from the Secretary of State’s office, Mr. -Adkins, the Keeper of the House of Correction, in Coldbath-fields, -was informed that six of the remaining prisoners were to be consigned -to his custody, namely—Bradburn, Strange, Firth, Gilchrist, Hall, -and Cooper. These men were then brought out, and escorted to -Coldbath-fields prison, under circumstances precisely similar to -those which had attended those who had gone to the Tower. They were -accompanied by Mr. Silvester, a King’s Messenger, to whom the warrant -for their commitment, similar to the one addressed to the Constable of -the Tower, was intrusted, and several officers of the police, and by an -escort of the Life-Guards.</p> - -<p>Mr. Adkins, the Governor of the House of Correction, was asked if he -had got the Coroner’s warrant for the commitment of the men pronounced -by the Coroner’s Jury to have been guilty of the wilful murder of -Smithers? He answered in the negative. No such warrant had been -transmitted to him by Mr. Stirling. A messenger was then despatched to -the coroner, who had omitted to make out the warrant, and he waited -while it was prepared in the usual form. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> - -<p>Simmonds, the footman, and Preston, were remanded to the custody of -Mr. Nodder, the governor of Tothill-fields prison, and were taken -there in a hackney-coach; and thus ended the final examination of the -conspirators by the Privy-Council.</p> - -<p class="space-above">In addition to the gang taken at Cato-street, and the subsequent -arrests which we have already recorded, a young man, named <span class="smcap">Robert -George</span>, was apprehended, who was with good reason, suspected of -being one of that gang, and whose discovery and apprehension arose out -of the following extraordinary circumstances:</p> - -<p>At the time the coroner’s inquest was sitting on the body of the -murdered Smithers, Perry, the conductor of the patrol, who was then -in attendance, was called out by two soldiers, who informed him, that -on that day they had been informed by a boy, that he had discovered a -depository of fire-arms and deadly weapons in an extraordinary way, -by his having been at play in Chapel-street, Paddington, and losing a -marble behind some building in that street. He went behind the house -of Mr. George, a haberdasher and tailor, in search of the marble, and -seeing in a closet some fire-arms, a sword, <i>&c.</i>, he mentioned it to -the soldiers.</p> - -<p>Upon this intimation Perry hastened to the spot as soon as possible, -and found a narrow passage leading to the back of Mr. George’s -premises, and also a closet fastened by a staple, situate under a -staircase, which answered the description of the information he had -received where the fire-arms and deadly weapons were deposited. Perry -inquired to whom the closet belonged, and was informed that it belonged -to Mr. George, the tailor and haberdasher. Mrs. George soon appeared, -of whom Perry also inquired how the closet became fastened, when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> Mrs. -George informed him that she had fastened it in consequence of the wind -blowing it open. He desired her to produce the instrument with which -she had fastened the staple, which, on being produced, resembled a -hammer, and with which she also unfastened it.</p> - -<p>On the door being opened, Perry discovered a musket, a bayonet, a -pistol, sword, powder, and balls. He then inquired if those articles -belonged to them, and the mother denied that they did. The daughter, -who was present during the investigation, wrung her hands, and appeared -greatly distressed. Perry then proceeded into the house, and found -Mr. George employed in his business of a tailor, who also denied any -knowledge of the fire-arms and deadly weapons, and admitted that his -son occupied a house on the opposite side of the street, and might have -deposited the fire-arms, <i>&c.</i>, in that place.</p> - -<p>On inquiry it was ascertained, that the son had absconded since the -night of the meeting in Cato-street. Perry desired that Mr. George -would attend at the office, and he himself accompanied Mrs. George and -her daughter. On their arrival at the office, they underwent private -examinations before Mr. Birnie, but nothing appeared which could -criminate any of them; but strong suspicions existed that their son, -Robert George, was present at the Cato-street meeting, at the time -Thistlewood murdered Smithers.</p> - -<p>From that time the officers had used every vigilance in endeavouring -to trace him out. Ruthven and Salmon received information of his being -concealed at a house in Goswell-street, whither they repaired, but were -unsuccessful in finding him. They nevertheless had discovered that -his anxiety to leave this country was so great, that he had offered -himself to be engaged in any capacity whatever, in any vessel going -to the East-Indies; they also learned that, having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> before been a -seafaring man, he had succeeded in engaging himself as a servant on -board an Indiaman; and their exertions were so great, that they gained -intelligence, on which they could rely, that the last place he would -be at, previous to leaving London, would be the Dundee Arms, Wapping, -near the Commercial Road, where they went and waited, having no doubt -but he would be there to start by the boat for Gravesend on Sunday, the -5th of March, from which latter place the Indiamen were to sail on the -following day. They waited there till about seven o’clock, at which -time Robert George entered the house. He inquired for the Gravesend -boat, and was informed that it had sailed a few minutes previous. -On receiving that information, he appeared extremely agitated and -disappointed: he called for some brandy and water, and seated himself.</p> - -<p>During this time Ruthven and Salmon had satisfied themselves beyond a -doubt of his identity, and having had reason to believe that he would -be fully prepared with arms for a desperate resistance, Salmon watched -an opportunity, when he instantly rushed upon him, and, presenting a -pistol to his head, exclaimed, “If you offer to stir, I will fire.” -Ruthven then handcuffed and properly secured him. On searching him -they, however, found that he was not prepared with any arms, and his -luggage consisted only of his clothes. The officers placed him in a -hackney-coach, and lodged him in Covent-garden watch-house.</p> - -<p>During the following day they made diligent inquiry as to the manner in -which he had disposed of his time since his escape from Cato-street, -when they learned that a lodging had been procured for him in -Earl-street, Bricklane. They also traced out his brother, who lived in -that neighbourhood, who denied any knowledge of his place of residence; -but the officers <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>discovered that the brother had actually procured -the said lodging for him, and in his possession they found a large -thick stick, at the bottom of which was a thick iron ferrule, about two -inches long, which was hollow at one end, and appeared calculated to -receive a pike or dagger, which he acknowledged to have received of his -brother George, on his parting with him on Sunday evening, previous to -his entering the Dundee Arms.</p> - -<p>On searching Robert George’s lodgings in Earl-street, they did not -discover any thing of a serious or dangerous nature. The prisoner -underwent a private examination before Mr. Birnie, which was reported -to the Secretary of State’s office for the Home Department; no -orders were, however, sent for his conveyance there, and therefore a -commitment was made out for the prisoner, Robert George, to the House -of Correction, on a charge of high treason, whither he was conveyed in -a hackney-coach, in the custody of Mr. Atkins, the governor of that -prison, Perry, who was originally in the pursuit of him, and one of the -patrol.</p> - -<p class="space-above">Before entering on the trial of the notorious <span class="smcap">Arthur -Thistlewood</span>, for the double crime of high treason and murder, -for which we have traced his commitment on the clearest and most -satisfactory evidence possible, we shall present the reader with a -brief sketch of his early life, and some particulars of his conduct -after his arrest.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood was a native of Horncastle, in Lincolnshire, and was born -in the year 1770; his father was land-steward to an ancient family in -that neighbourhood; he was placed at an early period of life with an -eminent English school-master, to be educated as a land-surveyor. This -pursuit in life he afterwards declined following,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> and at the age of -twenty-one became a lieutenant in a militia regiment; soon after this, -he married a young lady, of the name of Bruce, residing near Bawtry, -in Yorkshire, who was possessed of property amounting to 300<i>l.</i> per -annum. Thistlewood resigned his commission in the militia, and obtained -another in a marching regiment, with which he went, at the commencement -of the revolutionary war, to the West Indies, where he soon gave up his -commission in it, and afterwards proceeded to America; there he resided -for some time, when he obtained a passport for France, and arrived -there shortly after the downfall of Robespierre. He became initiated -in all the doctrines and sentiments of the French Revolutionists, and -at the peace of Amiens returned to England, when he became acquainted -with the disaffected in his native country; since which his whole life, -it seems, has been spent in seeking opportunities to overthrow its -constitution.</p> - -<p>From the period of his release after his former indictment for high -treason, the Government had taken care to have all his actions watched, -and his movements traced; but even with all this precaution, it is -possible that the diabolical scheme, of which he was evidently the -author and chief mover, would have been carried into effect, had it -not been for the remorse of the man who made the disclosure to Lord -Harrowby.</p> - -<p>One night, during his confinement in Coldbath-fields prison, the -following remarkable occurrence took place in the cell of Thistlewood. -In the course of the evening, Mr. Adkins, the governor, sat with him -a short time, and conversed with him on general topics. He was very -communicative on the subject of the different prisons in which he had -been confined. He spoke of Horsham as being extremely strict, and -observed, that the rules laid down for the management of the prison -were observed to the letter, without any reference<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> to the rank of -the party confined. He gave the preference to the Tower as a place of -incarceration. The usual hour for locking up having arrived, he was -left to the society of his usual companions. He soon retired to rest. -His mind seemed restless, but, after some time, he fell into a profound -sleep—thus he continued awhile, when he became evidently agitated—at -last he exclaimed, with a sort of convulsive shriek, “Ha! I’ve got -you now!” and then, becoming more strangely disturbed, he awoke in a -sort of phrensy: for a moment he did not seem to recollect where he -was; but, on seeing his companions with their eyes fixed upon him, he -affected to laugh, and said, “What strange things one thinks of in -one’s sleep.” He remained awake for a considerable time, and, at length -sunk again into an unquiet slumber.</p> - -<p>On the subject of his arrest he spoke freely before his final -commitment, declaring that he knew the man by whose instrumentality -he was taken, and that he was with him that morning, and was the only -man who knew of his retreat. He added that but for the people in the -house, the patrol who arrested him in White-street, and his brother -officers should have fallen. His companions said, “Why you had no arms; -how could you have effected their destruction?” “Ah!” he replied, “they -thought they were very cunning; but cunning as they were, they were not -cunning enough.”</p> - -<p>This was but a vain boast; for, at the moment the officer seized him, -he was evidently paralized. He shewed no disposition to resist. No arms -were found in the room, with which he could defend himself, and when he -was carried off to Bow-street, six officers were left behind to search -every hole and corner in the house. This they did, and found nothing -to warrant an opinion that he was capable of making a formidable -resistance. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> - -<p>It is, however, rather a suspicious circumstance, that while the -officers were engaged in securing their prisoner, the landlady, Mrs. -Harris, slipped out, and gave an intimation of what was occurring to -her husband, who was a type-founder in the manufactory of Messrs. -Caslon. From that time he has been “out of the way.” It was ascertained -that he was the manufacturer of all the bullets found upon the -conspirators. A warrant was issued for his apprehension.</p> - -<p>The officers are satisfied that the arms which Thistlewood had in -Cato-street have not been found, and imagine that he deposited them -with some friend. It is a matter of surprise, that in getting rid of -these evidences of his guilt, he should have kept in his possession the -black belt which was seen round his waist in the loft, and which, with -some ball cartridges, was found in his pocket in White-street.</p> - -<p>Up to the time of his last appearance before the Privy-Council, he made -no inquiries respecting his family, but was particular in his questions -as to the persons who had been arrested. Among others, he mentioned the -name of Palin, for whose apprehension a reward of two hundred pounds -had been offered, and again describing in the most minute manner the -person of Brunt, with an evident intention to avoid mentioning his -name, he asked if he was arrested? Upon these heads he received no -satisfactory answer.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Thistlewood is a smart, genteel little woman, dresses well, and -from the first seemed perfectly alive to the situation of her husband, -in whose political sentiments she heartily concurs. On the officers -going to search her lodgings, she did not manifest any of that alarm -which, in a female, might be considered natural. She received them -with calmness, accompanied by a certain air of dignity, and demanded -their authority for searching her premises. Being satisfied on this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> -head, she permitted the search to be made without further hindrance. -She has a son, who seems a genteel ingenious youth. When she obtained -permission to visit her husband, the interview always took place in -the presence of an officer, and her person was scrupulously searched, -even to the removal of her stays and cap, and these precautions were -continued from first to last.</p> - -<p class="space-above">The prisoners all standing fully committed on the clearest and most -satisfactory evidence, the preparations for their trial commenced, -and on the 8th of March the following Special Commission of Oyer and -Terminer was issued by the Crown:—</p> - -<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">George</span> the <span class="smcap">Fourth</span>, by the grace of God, of -the united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King, defender -of the Faith, to our most dear cousin, William Henry Duke of -Portland; our well-beloved and faithful Councillors, Sir Charles -Abbott, knight, Chief-Justice, assigned to hold Pleas before us; -Sir Robert Dallas, knight, Chief-Justice of our Court of Common -Pleas; Sir Richard Richards, knight, Chief-Baron of our Court of -Exchequer; our beloved and faithful Sir William Garrow, knight, -one of the Barons of our said Court of Exchequer; Sir William -Draper Best, knight, one of the Justices assigned to hold Pleas -before us; Sir John Richardson, knight, one of the Justices of -our said Court of Common Pleas; Sir John Silvester, baronet; -Newman Knowlys, Francis Const, Charles Bosanquet, Charles Trelawny -Brereton, James Clitherow, James Ferguson, Edmond Alexander -Howard, Richard Paul Joddrell, Samuel Purkis, Thomas Wood, and -Peregrine Dealtry, Esqrs., greeting.</p></blockquote> - -<blockquote><p><b>Know ye</b> that we have assigned you, and any two or more of -you (of whom one of you, the aforesaid Sir Charles Abbot, Sir -Robert Dallas, Sir Richard Richards, Sir William Garrow, Sir -William Draper Best, and Sir John Richardson, we will shall be -one) our Justices and Commissioners to inquire by the oath of good -and lawful men of our county of Middlesex, of all High Treasons -and misprisions of High Treason, (other than such as relate to -the coin), and of the murder of one Richard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> Smithers, deceased, -and of any other crime or offence touching the death of the -said Richard Smithers; and of any offence or offences against, -touching, or concerning the persons of Frederick Fitzclarence, -William Legge, James Ellis, John Surman, William Westcoatt, -William Charles Brooks, John Muddock, and Benjamin Gill, or any -of them, contrary to the form of an Act made and passed in the -forty-third year of the reign of our late royal father, King -George the Third, entitled “An Act for the further prevention of -malicious shooting, and attempting to discharge loaded fire-arms, -stabbing, cutting, wounding, poisoning, and the malicious using of -means to procure the miscarriage of women; and also the malicious -setting fire to buildings;” and also for repealing a certain -Act made in England, in the twenty-first year of the late King -James the First, entitled, “An Act to prevent the destroying and -murdering of bastard children;” and also an Act made in Ireland in -the sixth year of the late Queen Anne, also entitled, “An Act to -prevent the destroying and murdering of bastard children, and for -making other provisions in lieu thereof;” and also the accessories -of them, or any of them, within our county aforesaid, as well -within liberties as without, by whomsoever and in what manner -soever done, committed, or perpetrated, when, how, and after what -manner; and of all other articles and circumstances concerning -the premises, and every or any of them, in any manner whatsoever; -and the said treasons and other the premises according to the -laws and customs of England for this time to hear and determine; -and therefore we command you, that at a certain day and place, -which you or any two or more of you (of whom one of you, the said -Sir Charles Abbott, Sir Robert Dallas, Sir Richard Richards, Sir -William Garrow, Sir William Draper Best, and Sir John Richardson, -we will shall be one), shall for this purpose appoint, you make -diligent inquiries into the premises, and that you do hear and -determine all and singular the premises aforesaid, and do cause -to be done therein what to justice appertains, according to the -laws and customs of England; saving to us the amerciaments, and -other things from thence to us accruing. We do also command all -and every our officers, ministers, and subjects, by virtue of -these presents, that they attend, advise, obey, and assist you in -the execution of the premises, in all things as it behoves them. -And we do also command, by these presents, our sheriff of our said -county of Middlesex, that at such certain day and place, as you, -or any two or more of you, (of whom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> one of you, the aforesaid -Sir Charles Abbott, Sir Robert Dallas, Sir Richard Richards, Sir -William Garrow, Sir William Draper Best, and Sir John Richardson, -we will shall be one), shall make known to him, he do cause to -come before you, or any two or more of you (of whom one of you, -the aforesaid Sir Charles Abbott, Sir Robert Dallas Sir Richard -Richards, Sir William Garrow, Sir William Draper Best, and Sir -John Richardson, we will shall be one), such and so many good -and lawful men of our said county, as well within liberties as -without, by whom the truth of the matter in the premises may be -better known and inquired into. In witness whereof, we have caused -these our letters to be patent. Witness ourself at Westminster, -the eighth day of March, in the first year of our reign.</p> - -<p class="right">BATHURST.</p></blockquote> - -<p>Monday, March 27, 1820, was the day appointed for opening the Special -Commission for the trial of the Conspirators engaged in the Cato-street -plot, and the officers of the Crown attended accordingly in the court -at <span class="smcap">Hicks’s-Hall</span>, at nine o’clock in the morning. The gentlemen -who were summoned on the grand inquest were also in attendance.</p> - -<p>The witnesses for the Crown, about thirty in number, were placed in -a room by themselves, preparatory to their being taken before the -Grand Jury. Those witnesses who themselves stood charged with being -parties to the conspiracy were in separate rooms, under the charge of -constables. Among them were Monument, who, it will be recollected, -was committed to the Tower; and Adams, who remained for some time a -prisoner in St. Martin’s watch-house, but was afterwards committed -to the House of Correction in Cold-bath-fields. This man had been -labouring under severe indisposition ever since his apprehension.</p> - -<p>The pike-handles, guns, pistols, swords, grenades, daggers, ammunition, -and other articles seized on the persons of the prisoners, and in -Cato-street, at Brunt’s lodgings, and elsewhere, were deposited in -the office of the clerk of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>indictments. When collected together they -presented a formidable appearance.</p> - -<p>At ten o’clock the Attorney and Solicitor-Generals entered the Court, -and took their seat at the barristers’ table. In a few minutes -afterwards Chief-Justice Abbott and Chief-Justice Dallas, together with -Mr. Const, and other magistrates, whose names were mentioned in the -Commission, came upon the bench.</p> - -<p>Proclamation was then made for silence, and the commission was -immediately read by Mr. Dealtry, one of the clerks of the Crown-office.</p> - -<p>The names of the gentlemen summoned on the Grand Jury were then called -over, and the following gentlemen were sworn:</p> - -<blockquote><p>Job Raikes, esq.<br /> -John Stock, esq.<br /> -Thomas Milroy, esq.<br /> -Robert Batson, esq.<br /> -William Hills, esq.<br /> -Henry Thomson, esq.<br /> -Richard Gibbs, esq.<br /> -Thomas Lomet, esq.<br /> -James Gordon, esq.<br /> -William Anderson, esq.<br /> -William Parry, esq.<br /> -John Booth, esq.<br /> -John H. Pakenham, esq.<br /> -John Warren, esq.<br /> -George Frederick Young, esq.<br /> -Robert Meacock, esq.<br /> -Richard Jennings, esq.<br /> -James Taylor, esq.<br /> -John Johnson, esq.<br /> -Francis Douse, esq.<br /> -John William Horsley, esq.<br /> -William Benning, esq.<br /> -Stephen Taylor, esq.</p></blockquote> - -<p>These gentlemen having been sworn by Charles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> Abbott, esq. marshal to -the commission, proclamation was made for silence while the charge was -delivered.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Lord Chief-Justice Abbott</span> then addressed the Grand Jury in the -manner following:</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen of the Grand Inquest—We are assembled in this place, under -the authority of his Majesty’s Special Commission, issued for the -purpose of inquiring into, hearing, and determining, certain offences -therein particularly mentioned. These offences are, first, all high -treasons, except such as relate to the coin of the realm; secondly, all -misprisions of treason; thirdly, the murder of one Richard Smithers, -deceased, and any other crime or offence touching the death of that -person; and, fourthly, any offences committed against the persons of -Frederick Fitzclarence, George Legg, John Surman, William Westcott, -John Muddock, James Basey, and other persons, or any of them, contrary -to the form of an act made and passed in the forty-third year of -the reign of his late Majesty, for, among other things, the further -prevention of the malicious shooting, maiming, stabbing, or wounding, -any person or persons; and, gentlemen, it has become my duty to offer -to your consideration some remarks on each of these subjects, for your -assistance in the discharge of the important duty which will devolve -upon you when the bills are laid before you.</p> - -<p>“The particular crime of treason to which it would be proper to call -your attention is to be found, 1st, in the ancient statute 25 Edward -III., and 2dly, in a statute passed for very wise purposes in the 36th -year of the reign of his late Majesty. [His Lordship here recited the -enacting clauses of the statutes to which he referred; the first of -which declares it to be high treason to compass and imagine the death -of the King or the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> Queen, or to levy war against the King within his -realm; and, the second enacts, that if any person, within or without -the realm, compass or imagine the death of the King, or his deposition, -or to do him any bodily harm, such as maiming, wounding, or imprisoning -him, in order by force to compel him to change his measures or counsels -of government, any persons so offending shall be guilty of high -treason.]</p> - -<p>“You will observe, gentlemen, that in each of the description of -offences that I have enumerated, except the levying of war, which -is in the ancient statute that I have alluded to, the words are, -“imagination and intention,” which are words of the same meaning, -and the actual perpetration of the crime is not mentioned. But it is -further required by an ancient statute, that the party accused shall -be provably attainted; and by a latter statute it is mentioned, that -if the party shall express, utter, or declare his intention by any -printing or writing, that is an overt act of such intention. The law -has wisely provided for the public safety, that in cases of this -kind, which involve the most extensive public mischief, the intention -shall be adjudged the crime; but, at the same time, for the safety -of the individual charged, it is required that such intention shall -be manifested by some act tending towards the accomplishment of the -criminal object charged.</p> - -<p>“It may be proper to mention, that, before the passing of a late -statute, it was settled by several cases, and the opinions of the first -text writers, that all attempts to depose the king from his royal -state, to restrain his person, or to levy war against him, were high -treason; and all conspiracies, consultations, and agreements for those -purposes, were overt acts of compassing and imagining the death of -the king. By the late statute, all these things are made substantive -treasons, and thereby the law is made more clear to those who are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> -bound to obey it, and to those who may be engaged in the administration -of it.</p> - -<p>“It may be also proper to remark, that all the pomp and circumstances -of military array are not necessary to the first levying of war. -Insurrections for the purpose of accomplishing the designs I have -mentioned to you by force, however ill arranged, if they are to -accomplish an innovation in public affairs, in which the parties -have no special or particular interest, are an actual levying of -war. Rebellion at its first commencement is rarely found in military -discipline or array, although a little success may soon lead it to -assume those appearances. Any act manifesting a criminal intention, and -tending towards the accomplishment of the criminal object, is, in the -language of the law, an overt act. Overt acts may be committed openly -and manifestly; but there are other overt acts, such as meetings and -consultations, and contrivances, agreements and promises of mutual -support and assistance, and incitements to others to engage in the -same scheme, are also overt acts. Assenting to the designed purpose, -assisting in the preparation of weapons, or any other thing necessary -to the general design, are all overt acts of the particular kind of -treason, of the particular compassing and imagination to which they may -happen to apply; and in this crime of high treason the law acknowledges -no accessories,—all are principals. All who participate in the -design and object, whether they enter into them early or late, are -equally guilty; for it will be found in conspiracies of a treasonable -nature, as well as all other conspiracies, that each is engaged in -accomplishing some particular object, which is a part of the general -design. Some are more zealous and ardent, others are more close and -reserved; but, as they are all acting in pursuance of the same view and -object, all are equally guilty. Overt acts are most important matters -for your <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>investigation. It is necessary that the proof be set forth -in the indictment, in order that the accused may be prepared for his -defence; but it is not necessary that all the circumstances of proof -should be detailed. It is also required, in cases of high treason, that -there should be two witnesses to the overt acts. It is not necessary -that there should be two witnesses to every overt act; but if there -be one witness to one overt act, and another to another, that is -sufficient. Some one overt act must be proved to have taken place in -the county in which the trial takes place, as in the present case, in -Middlesex.</p> - -<p>“Having said thus much upon the law, as it applies to high treason, -I shall now address myself to the cases likely to be brought before -you, in order that you may apply that law. But in any thing I may say, -with reference to the inquiry in which you are likely to be engaged, I -request you will consider it all as supposition.</p> - -<p>“It has been supposed that a conspiracy was formed to assassinate -certain persons engaged in the administration of the government of -the country, when they were assembled at a dinner at the house of -one of them, on February 23d: and it is supposed that a treasonable -hostility to the government dictated that act, for the abolition of -that government would follow this assassination. In furtherance of -this design, seven persons were found almost in the act of immediate -preparation, in a stable, with arms and offensive weapons, suitable -to the accomplishment of such a traitorous purpose. Those persons, -when attempted to be arrested by the peace-officers and the military, -in their endeavours to escape, which many of them effected, killed -one Richard Smithers. Pistols were discharged—weapons of death were -used—and some or all of the persons named were wounded.</p> - -<p>“Of these matters all of you have, no doubt, read and heard; therefore -I take the liberty most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> earnestly to entreat you to confine your -attention to the evidence laid before you, and to banish from your -minds such information as you may have previously received as to the -motive or object of this supposed conspiracy, or as to the conduct of -the particular individuals supposed to be engaged in it.</p> - -<p>“I should tell you that a conspiracy to murder public persons, however -important their situations may be, if arising from private malice, -and not intended to bring about any other object, does not constitute -the crime of high treason. But if the assassination of such persons -is meant as the first step of a general design to attack and destroy -by force the government of the country, or to compel the sovereign to -adopt such measures as they may think fit, then that assassination -assumes a different complexion, and may be considered an overt act -of one or both of those species of treason which I have mentioned. -If, therefore, a conspiracy to take away the lives of his Majesty’s -ministers should be proved, you will look to the object about to be -obtained by that assassination, and also to the number and rank of the -persons intended to be assassinated; for the crime increases not only -with the number of the conspirators, but with the number of the persons -intended to be assassinated.</p> - -<p>“It is, indeed, difficult to conceive that persons could from private -malice alone, and without having a public object in view, conspire -together to assassinate a number of individuals of whom they could have -no knowledge but from the public situations which they filled. But the -difficulty of the supposition must not supply the place of evidence. We -well know that all attempts to subvert the government of this country -must, in the calm and sober eye of reason, appear wild and hopeless; -but you will consider that the mad persons who indulge such views are -led to diminish the difficulties and to magnify the success<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> and the -benefit attending their schemes. It is natural for the vicious to think -that there are others as wicked as themselves, and that they shall -gain numerous adherents if they succeed in their first attempt. It is -this belief that often leads them to a premature disclosure of their -purposes to those whom they think likely to participate in their guilt, -and that thus furnishes evidence of their dangerous designs; but dark -and deep designs are seldom developed but through those who have joined -in them. The evidence of accomplices, however, is always to be received -with caution, and the conviction arising from such evidence should rest -on circumstances of credibility rather than on the personal characters -of the witnesses themselves. If such testimony were on all occasions -to be rejected, one of the greatest securities to the honest part of -society would be annihilated—namely, the want of mutual confidence in -those engaged in wicked schemes.</p> - -<p>“The next subject which is likely to come under your observation is -misprision of treason, which consists in the concealment of treason, -when it is within the knowledge of the parties by whom it might be -divulged, and whose duty it would be to go before the first magistrate, -and make known the evil purposes which they know to be contemplated.</p> - -<p>“The third subject to which your attention may be directed is the -murder of Richard Smithers, and any other offence touching the death of -that person, who lost his life on the occasion of the attempt made to -arrest those persons now in custody. It will be material to take into -your consideration the place, the time, and the circumstances, where, -when, and under which, that attempt to arrest them was made.</p> - -<p>“The caution required by law as to the conduct of officers of -justice in apprehending persons charged with crimes applies only to -a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>dwelling-house whereof the doors are not open, and that caution -is confined to a dwelling-house alone. All other buildings or places -of meeting may be lawfully opened and entered for the apprehension -of persons charged with crimes against the law, without any previous -notification made. And when those officers have declared the character -in which they appear, the persons within are bound to yield themselves -in the same manner as if they had been met in the fields, or in the -open street; and if any of these officers be killed when the arrest -would have been lawful, then the party by whom the death-wound is -inflicted becomes guilty of the crime of murder. The arrest of persons -under the authority of a warrant from the magistrates is a lawful -arrest. So also is the arrest by peace-officers, without a warrant, -of persons supposed or reasonably alleged to have committed felony. -So also is an arrest by peace-officers, without a warrant, of persons -actually engaged in any breach of the peace, or of persons assembled -and arming, or otherwise preparing for the immediate perpetration -of murder; because such an assembly and such a perpetration are in -themselves criminal, and the arrest is actually necessary for the -prevention of the accomplishment of a still more heinous design. I -mention this, because the case likely to be submitted to you may fall -within these observations. The persons required to surrender to the -officers of the peace, though they may not be authorized to arrest -them, are not warranted in assaulting those officers with deadly -weapons, without warning them to stand off; and if they do, and death -ensue, they all subject themselves to punishment for the crime of -murder—at all events, they would be guilty of man-slaughter.</p> - -<p>“In speaking of those guilty of murder, you will bear in mind that all -who unite in resistance, and use words manifesting that determination, -are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> equally guilty with him who inflicts the death-wound.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, having said so much upon the third head of your inquiry, -very little remains to be said of the fourth. This comprises all -offences committed on the person of F. Fitzclarence, and the others -maimed, contrary to the 43d of the late king, the title of which is set -forth. You will therefore see that the jurisdiction does not extend -to all offences committed against these persons, but only such as are -contrary to the statute I have just mentioned to you. That statute is -the fifty-eighth chapter of the 43d of his late majesty; and as no -doubt it has been brought under the view of many of you, I need not -enter fully into it. The provisions of this act are—‘That it is a -capital felony for any person to shoot at, or wilfully to present and -point loaded fire-arms at, and attempt, by drawing the trigger, to -discharge the same at any of his majesty’s subjects, and also wilfully -and maliciously to stab or cut, with intent to murder, rob, maim, -or disfigure any of his subjects, or to do them any grievous bodily -harm.’ There is an express provision in this statute which enacts, that -these offences must be committed under such circumstances as that, -if the attempt succeeded in depriving a fellow-creature of life, it -would be murder. Now, if such an attempt be made in the open street, -which probably is a case that may be brought before you, there can be -no question of a malicious design to murder, or to do some grievous -bodily harm. As, however, no case is likely to come before you falling -within the excepting provision of the statute, I forbear to trouble you -with any further observations, being well aware, that in this case, -as well as in every other, the best security for the due discharge -of the important trust reposed in you will be found in your own good -sense, your own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> sound discretion, and your own general knowledge. -If, however, in the progress of your investigation any unexpected -difficulty shall arise, the Court will be found ready to give you such -further advice as you may require.</p> - -<p>“Having detained you thus long, with such observations as I have -thought necessary, I now dismiss you to the discharge of that important -duty for the execution of which you are assembled.”</p> - -<p>At the conclusion of his Lordship’s address, the Jury retired to their -room, and proceeded to examine witnesses upon the indictments which -were preferred before them. The Judges continued sitting in Court for -upwards of an hour, when the foreman and a few other members of the -Grand Jury returned, and an arrangement was made that their Lordships -should resume their seats at twelve o’clock, and that the Grand Jury -were to assemble at ten o’clock.</p> - -<p>On this occasion, the following witnesses were in attendance:—The -Right Hon. Nicholas Vansittart, R. Baker, Esq., R. Birnie, Esq., -Captain Fitzclarence; Monument and Adams (in custody); Ruthven, Ellis, -Westcott, Lee, Brooks, Surman, Wright, Taunton, Bishop, and Gill -(officers); Serjeant Legge, John Muddock, Jonathan Curtis, Joseph -Basey, Joseph Rivell, and Joseph Edgar (soldiers); Joseph Hall, Thomas -Droyer, Thomas Hiden, Joseph Harry Price, Emanuel Francis, James -Pocock, James Munday, Richard Munday, George Paylock, Mary Rogers, -Eleanor Walker, <i>&c.</i></p> - -<p>Soon after twelve o’clock the Judges left the Court; and at half -past twelve the Grand Jury, having then been a considerable time in -deliberation, proceeded with the examination of witnesses.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Bouchier</span>, one of the solicitors to the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>Treasury, was the -first witness examined: he was only a few minutes before the Jury.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Robert Adams</span>, the ex-Oxford Blue, and an accomplice of -the conspirators, was next called. He was brought from the House -of Correction, where he had been in confinement since the final -examination of the conspirators before the Privy-Council, in the -custody of Mr. Adkins, the Governor, and the principal turnkey. He was -three hours under examination. He appeared perfectly cool and collected -when he came from the Grand Jury Room. After his examination he was -taken back in custody to the Cold-Bath-fields Prison.</p> - -<p>The Right Hon. <span class="smcap">Nicholas Vansittart</span>, Chancellor of the -Exchequer, was the third witness. The Right Hon. gentleman, together -with <span class="smcap">Captain Fitzclarence</span>, and other witnesses of the superior -order, was accommodated with a private room, while waiting the summons -of the Grand Jury. He was not more than ten minutes under examination.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Joseph Baker</span>, servant to the Earl of Harrowby, and fourteen -other witnesses, were then examined in succession. Amongst them was</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Monument</span>, one of the eight committed to the Tower on the -charge of high treason. He was brought from the Tower in the custody -of two Yeomen of the Guard, and several officers, and was kept in a -private room, attended only by the Yeomen, with their swords drawn, -during the day. He seemed very uneasy, and continued pacing the room -about the whole time that he remained there. He appeared pale and -dejected, and by no means a willing witness. After his examination, -which lasted nearly an hour, he was conducted back to the Tower in the -same custody.</p> - -<p>There were several women among the persons examined. They were of -respectable appearance. Two boys were also called. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> - -<p>Captain Fitzclarence was the last witness called, and at six o’clock -the Grand Jury adjourned until nine o’clock on the following morning.</p> - -<p>Tuesday the 28th of March, the court again met, pursuant to -adjournment, and soon after twelve o’clock, the Chief-Justices of the -King’s Bench and the Common Pleas, and the Attorney and Solicitor -Generals, took their respective seats.</p> - -<p>At half-past two o’clock, the Grand Jury, having gone through the -examination of the whole of the witnesses, entered with true bills -for high treason against Arthur Thistlewood, William Davidson, James -Ings, J. T. Brunt, Richard Tidd, J. W. Wilson, John Harrison, Richard -Bradburn, James Shaw Strange, James Gilchrist, and Richard Charles -Cooper.</p> - -<p>The bills for high treason against Abel Hall and Robert George, were -ignored.</p> - -<p>The Lord Chief Justice then expressed to the Attorney-General his -wish that the persons against whom true bills had been found might -have intimation, without the trouble of coming into court, that -their attorneys and counsel would have ready access to them. The -Attorney-General promised that every facility should be given to the -communication with their legal advisers.</p> - -<p>On the following day the court assembled a third time to inquire into -the murder of Smithers, and divers acts of felony alleged to have -been committed by the prisoners; accordingly at twelve o’clock the -Lord Chief Justice of the King’s Bench took his seat in Court. The -Solicitor-General attended for the Crown.</p> - -<p>The Grand Jury immediately entered, and delivered several bills to the -clerk, who read as follows:—</p> - -<p>True bills for murder against Arthur Thistlewood, John Thomas Brunt, -Richard Tidd, James William Wilson, John Harrison and James Shaw -Strange. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> - -<p>No bills for murder against William Davidson, James Ings, Richard -Bradburn, James Gilchrist, Abel Hall, and Richard Charles Cooper.</p> - -<p>True bills for felony against James Ings, Richard Tidd, James William -Wilson, and Arthur Thistlewood.</p> - -<p>The Foreman stated, that there was no other bill before them.</p> - -<p>The Solicitor-General said, that it was not intended to prefer any more -bills at present.</p> - -<p>The Court was then adjourned by direction of the Lord-Chief Justice -till the 13th day of April then next ensuing, at half-past 9 in the -morning.</p> - -<p>A material omission occurred in the bills of indictment preferred -before this Grand Jury, assembled under the Special Commissions, with -regard to <i>Davidson</i>, the man of colour, who, on the night of the -capture of the conspirators, was standing sentry at the entrance to the -place of meeting, armed with a carbine, and sword of immense length, -and in resisting the attempt of the officers to take him into custody, -discharged his carbine at one of them. In preferring the bills against -the prisoners for the several offences with which they were charged, -this circumstance was overlooked, and it was not recollected, till -Wednesday the 19th of April. An order was consequently given on that -evening by Mr. Maule, the solicitor to the Treasury, to Ruthven, Ellis, -Gill (the man shot at), and other witnesses, to attend before the -Middlesex Grand Jury, at Clerkenwell, on the following day, and to take -with them the arms taken from Davidson. They attended accordingly, the -bill of indictment was preferred, and a true bill found against William -Davidson, for feloniously shooting at Gill, with intent to kill, &c. -Only three witnesses were called. The bill was preferred before the -Grand Jury summoned to dispose of the ordinary Sessions business, and -not that which had assembled under the Special Commission. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> - -<p>On Monday the 3d of April, copies of the indictments, with lists of the -jurors and of the witnesses to be produced on the trial, were delivered -to each of the prisoners in their respective places of confinement.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">List</span> of the <span class="smcap">Jurors</span> contained the names of 227 -freeholders of the county of Middlesex, resident in the different -parishes, many of them at a considerable distance from the metropolis.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Indictment</span> contained four counts, on each of which certain -overt acts were charged, manifesting and proving the acts of treason -set forth. The following is an abstract of the Indictment.</p> - -<p class="center"><i>The King against Arthur Thistlewood, William Davidson, James -Ings, John Thomas Brunt, Richard Tidd, James William Wilson, John -Harrison, Richard Bradburn, John Shaw Strange, James Gilchrist, -and Charles Cooper.</i></p> - -<p class="center">FIRST COUNT.</p> - -<p>That they did compass, imagine, invent, devise, and intend to deprive -and depose our said Lord the King of and from the style, honour, and -kingly name of the imperial crown of this realm.</p> - -<p><i>First overt act.</i>—That they did assemble, meet, conspire, and -consult to devise, arrange, and mature plans and means to subvert -and destroy the constitution and government of this realm, as by -law established.</p> - -<p><i>Second overt act.</i>—That they did conspire to stir up, raise, -make, and levy insurrection, rebellion, and war against our said -Lord the King within this realm, and to subvert and destroy the -constitution and government of this realm, as by law established.</p> - -<p><i>Third overt act.</i>—That they did conspire to assassinate, kill, -and murder divers of the Privy-Council of our said Lord the King, -employed in the administration.</p> - -<p><i>Fourth overt act.</i>—That they did procure, provide, and have -divers large quantities of arms, in order to assassinate divers of -the Privy-Council.</p> - -<p><i>Fifth overt act.</i>—That they did procure, provide, and have arms, -with intent therewith to arm themselves and other false traitors, -in order to raise, make, and levy insurrection, rebellion, and war.</p> - -<p><i>Sixth overt act.</i>—That they did conspire, consult and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> agree to -seize and take possession of divers cannon, with intent to arm -themselves and other false traitors, in order to make war against -the King, and destroy the constitution.</p> - -<p><i>Seventh overt act.</i>—That they did conspire to set fire to, -burn and destroy divers houses and buildings in and in the -neighbourhood of London, and divers barracks, and to provide -combustibles and materials for the purpose.</p> - -<p><i>Eighth overt act.</i>—That they did compose and prepare, and -cause and procure to be composed and prepared, divers addresses, -proclamations, declarations, and writings, containing therein -solicitations, and incitements to the liege subjects of our -said Lord the King, to aid and assist in making and levying -insurrection, rebellion, and war, against our said Lord the -King, within this realm, and in subverting and destroying the -constitution and government of this realm, as by law established.</p> - -<p><i>Ninth overt act.</i>—That they did compose and prepare, and cause -and procure to be composed and prepared, a certain paper writing, -purporting to be an address to the liege subjects of our said Lord -the King, containing therein that their tyrants were destroyed, -and that the friends of liberty were called upon to come forward, -as the provisional government was then sitting, with intent to -publish the same, and thereby to solicit and excite the liege -subjects of our said Lord the King to aid and assist in making and -levying insurrection, rebellion, and war against the King, and in -subverting and destroying the constitution and government.</p> - -<p><i>Tenth overt act.</i>—That they did assemble themselves, with -arms, with intent to assassinate, kill, and murder divers of -the Privy-Council, and to raise, make, and levy insurrection, -rebellion, and war against our said Lord the King, and to subvert -and destroy the constitution and government of this realm.</p> - -<p><i>Eleventh overt act.</i>—That they, armed and arrayed in a warlike -manner, did ordain, prepare, levy and make public war against the -King.</p> - -<p class="center">SECOND COUNT.</p> - -<p>That they did compass, imagine, and intend to move and excite -insurrection, rebellion, and war against the King, within this realm, -and to subvert and alter the legislature, rule, and government, and to -bring and put the King to death. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> - -<p><i>First overt act.</i>—Same as in the first count, with the addition -of “and to deprive and depose our said Lord the King of and from -the style, honour, and kingly name of the imperial crown of this -realm.”</p> - -<p><i>Second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, -tenth, and eleventh overt acts</i>, same as in the first count.</p> - -<p class="center">THIRD COUNT.</p> - -<p>That they did compass, imagine, and invent to move, and intend to levy -war against the King, in order by force and constraint to compel him to -change his measures and councils.</p> - -<p><i>First overt act.</i>—That they did assemble, meet, conspire and -consult to devise, arrange, and mature plans and means, by force -and constraint, to compel the King to change his measures and -councils.</p> - -<p><i>Second overt act.</i>—Same as in the first count only leaving out -the conclusion, “and to subvert,” &c.</p> - -<p><i>Third and Fourth overt acts.</i>—Same as in the first count.</p> - -<p><i>Fifth and Sixth overt acts.</i>—Same as in the first count, -omitting as before, “and to subvert,” &c.</p> - -<p><i>Seventh overt act.</i>—Same as in the first count.</p> - -<p><i>Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth overt acts.</i>—Same as in the eighth, -tenth, and eleventh overt acts in the first count, omitting at the -end of the eighth and ninth as before, “and to subvert,” &c.</p> - -<p class="center">FOURTH COUNT.</p> - -<p>That they did levy and make war against the King, and endeavour by -force and arms, to subvert and destroy the constitution and government -of this realm, and to deprive and depose the King of the crown.</p> - -<p class="space-above">The following is the <span class="smcap">List of Witnesses</span>, containing 162 -names, and amongst them some of the most distinguished Members of -Administration, the Police Magistrates and Officers, the Soldiers -employed in the arrest, many women, boys, &c.</p> - -<blockquote><p>Adams, Robert, cordwainer, an accomplice, in custody<br /> -Alderson, Leonard, Antelope-gardens, Holywell-mount, cordwainer<br /> -Aldous, James, Berwick-street, pawnbroker<br /> -Avis, George, Bow-street patrol<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>Adkins, William, governor of the House of Correction, Coldbath fields<br /> -Bathurst, Right Honourable Charles<br /> -Baker, John, servant to the Earl of Harrowby<br /> -Baker, Robert, Esq. Justice of the Peace, Bow-street<br /> -Baker, Gabriel, yeoman, warder of the Tower<br /> -Baldwin, William H. shopman to Mr. Colnaghi, printseller, Cockspur-street<br /> -Barrow, William, chair-maker.<br /> -Basey, James, soldier, 2d regiment coldstream guards<br /> -Bishop, Daniel, officer, Bow-street<br /> -Bissex, Charles, watchman<br /> -Birnie, Richard, Esq., Bow-street office<br /> -Brind, Joseph, servant to J. Saunders, St. John-street, Clerkenwell<br /> -Brooks, William Charles, Bow-street patrol<br /> -Bourchier, Charles, Esq., assistant solicitor, Treasury<br /> -Bulmer, John, warder of the Tower<br /> -Bubb, Thomas, watchman<br /> -Bamford, John, captain and adjutant of the London and Westminster Light Horse Volunteers<br /> -Buller, James, Esq., one of the clerks of his Majesty’s most honourable Privy-Council<br /> -Brand, George, turnkey of the House of Correction<br /> -Brand, Henry, ditto<br /> -Castlereagh, Viscount<br /> -Carr, Thomas, cordwainer<br /> -Carter, Robert, yeoman, warder of the Tower<br /> -Caylock, George, Cato-street, blacksmith<br /> -Champion, Joseph, Bow-street patrol<br /> -Chapman, Robert, ditto<br /> -Chetwynd, Richard, Viscount, one of the Clerks of his Majesty’s most honourable Privy-Council<br /> -Claddis, Stephen, yeoman, warder of the Tower<br /> -Clark, John, ditto<br /> -Clark, William, ditto<br /> -Clark, Thomas, Great York-mews, Portman-square, tailor<br /> -Cooper, William, warder of the tower<br /> -Curtis, Jonathan, soldier, 2d coldstream guards<br /> -Cygrove, John, ditto<br /> -Davy, John, Parker-street, Drury-lane, wheelwright<br /> -Davies, Jeremiah, warder of the Tower<br /> -Davies, H. servant to the Earl of Ailesbury, Grosvenor-square<br /> -Davison, Thomas, printer, Duke-street, West Smithfield<br /> -Denne, George, yeoman, warder of the Tower<br /> -Devisme, Gerard, Esq., Bryanstone-street, merchant<br /> -Dobson, Jonathan, Silver-street, Clerkenwell, dealer in old iron<br /> -Dobson, Esther, wife of the above<br /> -Dwyer, Thomas, Gee’s-court, Oxford-street, bricklayer<br /> -East, James, warder of the Tower<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>East, Richard, ditto<br /> -East, Robert, White-street, Moorfields, letter-caster<br /> -Edwards, George, Ranelagh-place, modeller<br /> -Edgar, James, soldier, 2d coldstream guards<br /> -Ellis, James, Bow-street patrol<br /> -Farrell, Thomas, Duke-street, Lincoln’s-inn-fields, green grocer<br /> -Fitzclarence, Frederick, ensign, 2d coldstream guards<br /> -Flanagan, Patrick, St. Giles’s, watchman<br /> -Fletcher, William, warder of the Tower<br /> -Ford, William, Mount-street, Lambeth, cordwainer<br /> -Francis, Emanuel, Southampton-mews, Marylebone, labourer<br /> -Fryer, William, warder of the Tower<br /> -Gill, Benjamin George, Bow-street patrol<br /> -Gillan, Henry, servant to Mr. Whittle, apothecary, Mount-street, Grosvenor-square<br /> -Gould, Mary, Adam’s-mews, Grosvenor-square, wife of George Gould, victualler<br /> -Gould, Elizabeth, Stanhope-st. wife of Robert Gould, victualler.<br /> -Gibbs, William, Bow-street patrol<br /> -Harrowby, Dudley, Earl of, Lord President of his Majesty’s most honourable Privy-Council<br /> -Hale, Joseph, apprentice to John Thomas Brunt, boot-closer<br /> -Hanson, Edward, sergeant of artillery, Tower<br /> -Harknett, John, Clement’s-inn, labourer<br /> -Harrell, James, Lamb’s Chapel-court, Monkwell-st., cordwainer<br /> -Hatton, Thomas, warder of the Tower<br /> -Hayward, Joseph, Long-alley, Moorfields, cordwainer<br /> -Hiden, Thomas, Manchester-mews, milkman<br /> -Hoare, Mary, Great Wild-street, spinster<br /> -Hobbs, John, White Hart-yard, Brook’s-market, victualler<br /> -Hobhouse, Henry, Esq., one of his Majesty’s Under Secretaries of State<br /> -Howard, George, Fox-court, Grays-inn-lane, cordwainer<br /> -Humphrey, William, warder of the Tower<br /> -Humphreys, Samuel, Radnor-street, St. Luke’s, iron-founder<br /> -Inglis, James, soldier, 2d regiment coldstream guards<br /> -Jennings, Thomas, New Compton-street, carver and gilder<br /> -Isaacs, Jane, Cato-street, spinster<br /> -Keyes, Thomas, Frith-street, Soho, victualler<br /> -Keyes, Thomas, the elder, gent., same place<br /> -Knowles, Walter, warder of the Tower<br /> -Lane, John, gent., gaoler of the Tower<br /> -Lavender, Stephen, officer, Bow-street<br /> -Lee, William, patrol, Bow-street<br /> -Leeson, John, warder of the Tower<br /> -Legg, William, serjeant 2d regiment coldstream guards<br /> -Litchfield Elijah, Clerk of the office of solicitor of the treasury<br /> -Lawson, Edward, Brown’s-lane, Spitalfields, currier<br /> -Lott, James, sergeant 2d regiment coldstream guards<br /> -Main, Thomas, warder of the Tower<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>M’Carthy, Anne, Gray’s-buildings, Manchester-square, wife of James M’Carthy, labourer<br /> -Mansfield, John, servant, to ensign Fitzclarence<br /> -Maule, George, Esq. solicitor to the treasury<br /> -Miles, Thomas, warder of the Tower<br /> -Moay, Giles, Franklin, Marylebone, watchman<br /> -Monument, Thomas, Garden-court, Gray’s-inn-lane, cordwainer<br /> -Monument, John, an accomplice, prisoner in the Tower<br /> -Morris, Thomas, warder of the Tower<br /> -Muddock, John, soldier in the 2d regiment coldstream guards<br /> -Munday, Richard, Cato-street, labourer<br /> -Munday, James, same place, labourer, son of the above<br /> -Maidment, Jeremiah, constable, Bow-street<br /> -Morison, John Hector, Drury-lane, cutler<br /> -Morris, Stephen, turnkey, House of Correction<br /> -Nixon, Luke, patrol, Bow-street<br /> -Palmerston, Henry John, Viscount, secretary at war<br /> -Pargiter, Henry, messenger to the solicitor to the treasury<br /> -Pocock, J. Tunbridge-row, Lord’s Cricket-ground, whitesmith<br /> -Poulson, Jonathan, servant to the Lord Archbishop of York<br /> -Powell, John, warder of the Tower<br /> -Pratt, Edward, Fox-place, Lord’s Cricket-ground, smith<br /> -Price, J. H. Kendal’s-mews, Blandford-street, brassworker<br /> -Privatt, Mary, Vine-yard, Southwark, char-woman<br /> -Phillips, Henry, Pleasant-row, Lord’s Cricket-ground, labourer<br /> -Raven, Henry Baldwin, clerk to the solicitor to the treasury<br /> -Read, William, officer, Hatton-garden<br /> -Revell, James, soldier, 2d regiment coldstream guards<br /> -Ridsdale, William, waiter, Peele’s coffee-house<br /> -Rochfort, George, Little Park-lane, Regent’s-park, watchman<br /> -Rogers, Mary, Fox-court, Gray’s-inn-lane, chandler’s-shop keeper<br /> -Rogers, George, warder of the Tower<br /> -Ruthven, George Thomas Joseph, officer, Bow-street<br /> -Sallibanks, William, Holly-row, Lord’s Cricket-ground, carpenter<br /> -Salmon, William Joseph, Seymour-place, Marylebone, tailor<br /> -Salmon, William, officer, Bow-street<br /> -Saxelby, warder of the Tower<br /> -Sheppard, Robert, ditto<br /> -Shephard, Sarah, Great Wild-street, victualler<br /> -Simpson, Edward, corporal-major, 2d regiment life-guards<br /> -Smart, Thomas, Wood-street, Westminster, watchmaker<br /> -Smith, Augustus, Swan and Horse-shoe public house, Little Britain, plumber and glazier<br /> -Spooner, Ralph, servant to Armstrong and Co. Leather-lane<br /> -Stafford, John, chief clerk, Bow-street<br /> -Strickland, James, corporal 2d regiment coldstream guards<br /> -Surman, John, patrol, Bow-street<br /> -Sutch, William, John-street, Grosvenor-mews, cordwainer<br /> -Smith, John Clark, John-street, West, Edgware-road, victualler<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>Taunton, Samuel H., officer, Bow-street<br /> -Taylor, Sarah, Warwick-street, Golden-square, printseller<br /> -Thompson, Abraham, warder of the Tower<br /> -Tomlin, William, Gray’s-inn-lane, victualler<br /> -Townshend, John, patrol, Bow-street<br /> -Vansittart, Nicholas, (the Right Hon.) chancellor and under-treasurer of his Majesty’s exchequer<br /> -Valentine, Benjamin, William, officer, Marlborough-street<br /> -Underwood, William, warder of the Tower<br /> -Wales, John, officer, Marlborough-street<br /> -Walker, James, Gun-street, Old Artillery-ground, coffee-house keeper<br /> -Walker, Eleanor, spinster, servant to Henry Rogers, Fox-court, Gray’s Inn-lane<br /> -Weeden, James, Edgeware-road, oil and colour-man<br /> -Welford, John, South-street, Park-lane, clerk to James Denew, auctioneer and appraiser<br /> -Westcott, William, patrol, Bow-street<br /> -Wood, Robert, Elliot’s-row, Lord’s Cricket-ground, tinman<br /> -Woodward, John, High-street, Islington, cordwainer<br /> -Wright, John, patrol, Bow-street<br /> -Wheeler, Henry, turnkey, House of Correction<br /> -Weston, Elizabeth, Cato-street, wife of Edward Weston, plumber and glazier.</p></blockquote> - -<p>In addition to the copy of the indictment, and lists of jurors and -witnesses, the prisoners received each of them the following notice -from the Solicitor to the Treasury:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“The King <i>v.</i> Arthur Thistlewood, Wm. Davidson, James Ings, -John Thomas Brunt, Richard Tidd, Jas. Wm. Wilson, John Harrison, -Richard Bradburn, John Shaw Strange, James Gilchrist, and Charles -Cooper, for high treason.</p> - -<p>“You are hereby required to produce, upon the trial of this -indictment, certain paper writings, written or prepared, or caused -to be written or prepared by you, or some or one of you, on or -about the 23d day of February last, each of these purporting to -be an address to the people of this kingdom, stating therein that -their tyrants were destroyed, and that the friends of liberty were -called on to come forward, as the provisional government was then -sitting, or to the like purport or effect; and also a certain -other writing, written or prepared, or caused to be written or -prepared by you, or some or one of you, purporting to be an -address to the soldiers, soliciting them to join the friends of -liberty, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> that they should have their discharge, * * * * * and -full pay for life, and twenty pounds to take them to their homes, -or to the like purport or effect; and also all other addresses and -proclamations whatsoever, written or prepared, or caused to be -written or prepared, by you, or any of you, between the 1st day of -January, and the 24th day of February last.</p> - -<p>“Dated this 8th day of March, 1820.</p> - -<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">Geo. Maule</span>, Solicitor for the Prosecution.</p> - -<p>“To the above-named Arthur Thistlewood, &c., and to each and every -of them.”</p></blockquote> - -<p>The reason for the service of the above notice was as follows: It was -supposed that the accomplices who had become king’s evidence, would, -in their examination as witnesses, state, that such an address as that -referred to in the notice was prepared and in the possession of some -of the defendants; and as the prosecutors would not, according to the -rules of evidence, be allowed to give verbal testimony of the contents -of the address without previously giving notice to the defendants to -produce the original, the Crown Solicitor served them all with notice.</p> - -<p class="space-above">On the 13th of April, Mr. Sheriff Rothwell received a summons from the -office of the Secretary of State for the Home Department, requiring -his presence at Whitehall, to make the necessary arrangements for the -removal of the state prisoners in the Tower to Newgate. The Sheriff, -accompanied by Mr. Under-Sheriff Turner, immediately proceeded to the -Home-office, where they were introduced to Lord Sidmouth.</p> - -<p>The mode of conveying the prisoners having been decided upon, Lord -Sidmouth delivered to Sheriff Rothwell a writ, empowering him to -receive into his custody, from the Warder of the Tower of London, the -bodies of <i>Arthur Thistlewood</i>, <i>William Davidson</i>, <i>James Ings</i>, -<i>John Thomas Brunt</i>, <i>Richard Tidd</i>, <i>James William Wilson</i>, and <i>John -Harrison</i>, charged with high treason. His Lordship at the same time -intimated that a military force would be in attendance, to guard the -prisoners to their place of destination.</p> - -<p>In consequence of the plan adopted, on the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>morning of the 14th, as -early as half-past six o’clock, Mr. Sheriff Rothwell, Mr. Under-Sheriff -Turner, Mr. Under-Sheriff Pullen, Mr. Brown (gaoler of Newgate,) Mr. -Wontner, (the Chief City Marshal,) and Mr. Brown, (the Deputy Marshal,) -arrived at the Tower, and were immediately introduced to the resident -Governor, Major J. H. Elrington, who had been apprized of their coming, -and had given directions to the Warders to have their prisoners in -readiness. A numerous detachment of the Life Guards soon afterwards -arrived at the fortress, and these were followed by a strong party of -Bow-street officers, in seven carriages, which were engaged for the -occasion.</p> - -<p>At seven o’clock, every thing being in readiness, directions were given -to the Warders to bring forth their prisoners. The prisoners were then -conducted separately from their respective places of confinement, -between two Warders, into the Court-yard, where they were delivered -to the officers in waiting, by whom they were handcuffed. While the -handcuffs were being placed on Thistlewood he was greatly agitated, and -trembled exceedingly.</p> - -<p>Their names were called over from the writ, and Mr. Brown, the gaoler -of Newgate, was thus enabled to recognize their persons. They were -all perfectly silent until about to depart, when they expressed their -thanks to the Warder for the humane attention which they had received.</p> - -<p>The whole being now assembled, they were marched, each between two -Bow-street officers, to the Fosse-gate, beyond which the carriages had -been drawn up. Thistlewood was placed in the first carriage, and was -joined by three police officers. The remaining prisoners were each -placed in a separate carriage, and each attended by three Bow-street -officers. They were accompanied by a troop of Life Guards, and -proceeded in a direct course to Newgate prison.</p> - -<p>The carriages were flanked on each side by Horse Guards in single file. -Notwithstanding the early hour of the morning, and the secrecy with -which the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> removal was so prudently conducted, as the carriages issued -from the Tower gates, an immense throng had assembled to witness their -departure.</p> - -<p>In the gaol of Newgate, the Marshal’s men, and a large body of -constables, were assembled at seven o’clock, for the purpose of -preserving order; and when, at twenty minutes before eight, it was -announced that the prisoners were approaching, they sallied forth and -formed a half-moon in front of the felons’ door. In a few seconds -afterwards, the Horse Guards turned the corner of the Old Bailey, and -rode up to the prison.</p> - -<p>Mr. Sheriff Rothwell, and the Under-Sheriff, drove up to the private -door of Mr. Brown’s house, and obtained admission to the gaol by that -means. The prisoners alighted at the felons’ door, and were received -by the chief turnkey. Thistlewood as he went up the steps, appeared -greatly dejected; as did Ings, Tidd, and Brunt. Davidson, Harrison, and -Wilson, seemed to maintain their confidence.</p> - -<p>The prisoners were ultimately conducted to the cells which had been -previously prepared for their reception; and the whole being thus -safely delivered to the proper authorities, the Horse Guards rode off -to their quarters.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood was placed in a small but comfortable cell by himself, -having a fire and other accommodations. In the day-time an officer was -constantly present with him; and at night two were kept on guard.</p> - -<p>The other six prisoners brought from the Tower were placed altogether, -and had the accommodation of a large yard on the north side of the -prison, in which they were allowed to take the air. With them also one -officer in the day-time, and two at night, were always present.</p> - -<p>At three o’clock in the afternoon the four prisoners confined in the -House of Correction, likewise arrived at Newgate, without any military -escort. They were brought in two carriages, accompanied by five or six -police-officers. These four prisoners were placed in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> separate cell -apart from those who had been brought from the Tower.</p> - -<p>With respect to the prisoners arrived from the House of Correction, -the same precautions were taken, and one guard in the day, and two at -night, were appointed to be constantly present with them.</p> - -<p>In order to prevent any disturbance of a serious nature taking place, a -further precaution had been taken. A detachment of the London Militia -arrived in the course of the afternoon at Newgate, and continued there -until the whole of the trials were concluded.</p> - -<p class="space-above">A committee was formed among the friends and partizans of the -prisoners, for the purpose of raising subscriptions to support the -wives and families of the unfortunate men, who, it will be recollected, -were all of the lowest and most abject class of society, during their -imprisonment, and for employing a solicitor, retaining counsel, and -arranging other matters for their defence on the approaching trial.</p> - -<p>The following hand-bill, containing a forcible appeal to the feelings -of the public, was put forth by the families of the misguided men, -under the direction of the committee for the management of their -defence. How far the assertions so confidently expressed in this paper -were borne out by the evidence given on the trial, on which we are now -about to enter, we leave our readers to determine.</p> - -<blockquote><p class="center">AN APPEAL TO THE BRITISH NATION.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>“The <span class="smcap">Wives</span> and <span class="smcap">Families</span> of the <i>unfortunate -persons</i> now imprisoned for an <i>alleged conspiracy</i> against -the present government, venture to intrude their helpless and -unprotected situation on the immediate attention of their -countrymen, and to offer this imperfect, but they trust not -unsuccessful, appeal.</p> - -<p>“Into the truth or falsehood of the charges, by virtue of which -their husbands and parents are suffering under the double weight -of public obloquy and rigorous confinement, they do not now -presume to enter; they merely put in their claims in behalf of -their unhappy relatives, that they may<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> not be deprived of the -benefits common to every Briton, <i>viz.</i>, that of being at least -not condemned until <i>legally</i> proved guilty, nor excluded from all -possibility of a fair and unbiassed trial, <i>before a jury of their -peers</i>.</p> - -<p>“They beg to remind their countrymen that, hitherto, the -unfortunate accused have had no opportunity of proving their -innocence, or offering any thing in their own defence; that -all is <i>ex-parte</i> statement, consisting of the testimony of -<i>Bow-street Officers</i>, and the exaggerated reports contained in -the public Journals, the former of which in many instances have -been <i>interested parties</i>, and have even been <i>proved</i> to have -instigated to the commission of crime, that they might afterwards -<i>betray the delinquents, and obtain the promised reward</i>; and the -latter are notoriously guilty of loading their daily columns with -the most scandalous falsehoods and misrepresentations.</p> - -<p>“Under these impressions, they trust that a generous and humane -Public will suspend their judgment, until the whole of this -unhappy business has undergone the solemn and final adjudication -of a Legal Tribunal, when the guilt or innocence of the respective -parties may be rendered manifest to the world at large. Of this -they are naturally the more solicitous, because it will be -recollected, that when upon a former occasion, some of the persons -who now stand charged with the crime of High Treason, were accused -and tried for a similar offence, it was found, after a patient and -impartial investigation, to the perfect satisfaction both of the -Jury and the British Public, that the alleged Conspiracy was (as -they verily believe the present will also be proved,) nothing more -than the artful invention of <i>hired Spies</i> and <i>secret Agents</i>, -who endeavoured to instigate to the perpetration of crime, that -they themselves might reap an ample harvest from the blood of -their deluded victims, and recommend themselves to their employers.</p> - -<p>“Waiving for the present, however, all further discussion upon -this painful and distressing subject, it is earnestly hoped that -whatever opinion or prejudice may be entertained respecting the -guilt or innocence of the accused, a generous Public will not -confound the innocent with the guilty, or suffer the defenceless -and unprotected Women and Children, who have no share or concern -in these melancholy transactions, to perish for want of timely -relief, while their Husbands and Parents are lingering in solitary -confinement, unable to stretch forth a helping hand to save them -from impending ruin: they are at this moment actually destitute of -the means of subsistence, and dying for want of food. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> - -<p>“It is hoped that this imperfect but faithful statement of their -real situation and circumstances, will induce the benevolent to -step forward and contribute their liberal aid, to rescue those -distressed objects from famine and despair.</p> - -<p>“Subscriptions will be received by the Printer, 10, Duke Street, -Smithfield; Mr. Griffin, 10, Middle Row, Holborn, (opposite -Gray’s-Inn Lane:) Mr. Walker, Gun Street, Spitalfields; and by the -Relatives of the accused Persons The smallest Donations will be -thankfully acknowledged.</p> - -<blockquote><p><i>Mary Brunt</i>, for herself and one child.<br /> -<i>Mary Tidd</i>, and eight children.<br /> -<i>Amelia Bradburn</i>, and eight children.<br /> -<i>Mary Strange</i>, and two children.<br /> -<i>Charlotte Preston</i>, and three sisters.<br /> -<i>Susan Thistlewood</i>, one child.<br /> -<i>Sarah Davidson</i>, and six children.<br /> -<i>Caroline Harrison</i>, and three children.”<br /></p></blockquote></blockquote> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Harmer</span> was employed by the Committee for all the -prisoners, except Bradburn, having been previously employed for -Bradburn by that man’s relations and friends.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Adolphus</span> and Mr. <span class="smcap">Curwood</span>, were retained as -counsel for Thistlewood, Brunt, Davidson, Ings, and Tidd; and Mr. -<span class="smcap">Walford</span> and Mr. <span class="smcap">Broderick</span>, for the remainder of the -prisoners.</p> - -<p>It may be proper here to state, that during the whole time the -prisoners were in custody, on the awful charges which we have so -minutely detailed, the greatest attention possible was paid to their -personal comfort and convenience, consistent with their safe custody; -and indeed the unhappy men themselves felt and acknowledged the humane -attention with which they had uniformly been treated.</p> - -<h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1">[1]</a> See Newgate Calendar, Vol. IV.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> - -<h2>TRIALS</h2> - -<p class="bold">FOR</p> - -<p class="bold2">HIGH TREASON.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center">SESSIONS HOUSE, OLD BAILEY, SATURDAY,<br />APRIL 15, 1820.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>This being the day to which the Court had been adjourned for arraigning -and receiving the pleas of the eleven prisoners, against whom Bills of -Indictment for High Treason had been found, the proceedings commenced. -At ten o’clock precisely, the Commissioners entered the Court, preceded -by Mr. Sheriff Rothwell; they were, the Lord Chief-Justice Abbott, the -Lord Chief-Justice Dallas, the Chief Baron Richards, and Mr. Justice -Richardson. The Common Sergeant, who is also in the commission, was -likewise present; and Sir William Leighton, Sir R. Carr Glynn, Mr. -Alderman Christopher Smith, &c.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief-Justice Abbott</i>, after the Commissioners were all -seated, rose, and presented to Mr. Shelton the indictments which had -been found under the Special Commission, for the purpose of having -them tried under the General Session of Oyer and Terminer, and Gaol -Delivery, then holden in that Court.</p> - -<p>Mr. <i>Shelton</i>, on receiving them, immediately gave directions to Mr. -Brown, the gaoler, to bring up his prisoners.</p> - -<p>The prisoners were then brought into court, each man accompanied by a -constable, and placed at the back part of the dock.</p> - -<p>Arthur Thistlewood entered first; he looked pale<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> and dejected. He was -dressed in a black coat and velvet collar, light-coloured waistcoat, -blue trowsers, and shoes. None of the prisoners were either handcuffed -or bolted. The other men were decently clad, according to their means, -and appeared cleanly and healthful. The whole being assembled,</p> - -<p>Mr. <i>Clarke</i>, the deputy clerk of the arraigns, proceeded to call -over their names from the back of the bill found for high treason, -preparatory to</p> - -<p class="center">THE ARRAIGNMENT.</p> - -<p><i>Arthur Thistlewood</i> first came forward, and was desired to hold up his -hand. Having complied with this direction, he was placed at the bar. -William Davidson (the man of colour), James Ings, John Thomas Brunt, -and Richard Tidd, were then called, and went through the same ceremony.</p> - -<p>Upon coming to the name of James William Wilson, Wilson, who remained -with the other prisoners, did not answer. The name was twice repeated, -but still he took no notice. One of the turnkeys then addressed him -personally, and said, “Come forward, Wilson,” to which he replied, -“That is not my name.”</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Curwood</span> now stated to the Court, that he was Counsel for -some of the prisoners, and that it was intended to put in a plea of -misnomer as to this man.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice</i>.—That must be done when the indictment is -read, and when the prisoner is called on to plead.</p> - -<p>The remaining prisoners, John Harrison, Richard Bradburn, and John Shaw -Strange, James Gilchrist, and Charles Cooper, were then called, and -severally came to the bar, and held up their hands.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice Abbott</i>.—“Prisoners, attend while the -indictment is read;” and then, addressing himself to Mr. Clarke, “Let -their names be called over again.”</p> - -<p>Their names were accordingly called over; and Mr. Clarke proceeded to -read the indictment for high treason, for which see page 90. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> - -<p>On coming to the second count,</p> - -<p>Mr. <i>Curwood</i> submitted, that as the overt acts in this count were -similar to those in the first count, it was scarcely necessary to give -the officer of the court the trouble of reading, or the court the -fatigue of listening to it.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice Abbott</i>.—You think it may be dispensed with: -very well, This may the more readily be acquiesced in, as all the -prisoners have been furnished with copies of the indictment. Unless the -prisoners themselves desire it, therefore, this count need not be read. -His Lordship then addressed himself to the prisoners, and asked them -whether they wished any more of this count to be read? He added, that -their counsel thought it unnecessary.</p> - -<p><i>Ings.</i>—I do not think it is necessary.</p> - -<p>The other prisoners all acquiesced in this determination.</p> - -<p>The succeeding counts were then read, when Mr. <i>Clarke</i> addressed -himself to Arthur Thistlewood, and asked him, whether he was guilty or -not guilty of the treasons and felonies whereof he stood charged?</p> - -<p><i>Thistlewood.</i>—Not guilty.</p> - -<p>Mr. <i>Clarke</i>.—How will you be tried?</p> - -<p><i>Thistlewood.</i>—By God and my country.</p> - -<p>The same question, which is the usual form in arraignments, was then -put to Davidson, who also pleaded Not Guilty, and agreed to be tried in -the same way.</p> - -<p><i>Ings</i>, in a firm tone of voice, said, “I am not guilty. I will be -tried by God and by the laws of reason. The laws of reason are the laws -of God.”</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice</i>.—Instruct him to plead in the usual way.</p> - -<p>Mr. Brown having spoken to the prisoner, he agreed to the ordinary -terms of the plea, and said he would be tried by God and his country.</p> - -<p>John Thomas Brunt and Richard Tidd followed the example of Thistlewood -and Davidson.</p> - -<p>Mr. Clarke next called the name of “James William Wilson.” </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> - -<p>Wilson came forward, and repeated his declaration, that that was not -his name.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice Abbott</i>.—What is your name?</p> - -<p><i>Wilson.</i>—My name is James Wilson.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Curwood</span>.—We mean to plead in abatement that this man has -been indicted by a wrong name.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice Abbott</i>.—Is your plea prepared?</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Curwood</span>.—Yes, my Lord.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice Abbott.</i>—Let it be sworn.</p> - -<p>The plea was then handed to Wilson, and he was sworn, in the customary -form, to answer all such questions as the Court should demand of him.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice</i>.—Have you read the contents of that plea, -and the form of affidavit subjoined; and is it true in matter and in -substance?</p> - -<p><i>Wilson.</i>—I have, my Lord; I have signed it; it is true.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice</i>.—You swear the contents of your affidavit are -true?</p> - -<p><i>Wilson.</i>—Yes.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice</i>.—Let the plea be received.</p> - -<p>The plea was handed accordingly to Mr. Shelton.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice</i>.—The plea is received by the Court. It is for -the Attorney General to consider what he proposes to do with it. For -the present, take that man back.</p> - -<p>The prisoner stood back. Harrison, Bradburn, Strange, Gilchrist, and -Cooper, then pleaded Not Guilty, and pursued the course adopted by the -other prisoners.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood, Brunt, Tidd, Wilson, Harrison, and Strange, were -then arraigned on a second indictment, charging them, in various -counts, with the wilful murder of Richard Smithers, in the parish of -Marylebone, in the county of Middlesex, on the 23d of February last.</p> - -<p>They all pleaded Not Guilty, with the exception of Wilson, who -again pleaded the misnomer, and a plea was ordered to be prepared -accordingly. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> - -<p>Ings now attracted the attention of the Court, and said, “I wish to -speak, if I am permitted. I wish to know whether we are going to be -tried altogether or separately? My wish is to be tried separately. -I think I shall be able to prove that I am innocent of the charges -alleged against me.”</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice</i>.—It is probable your request may be attended -to; but this is not the proper time for making it. We will hear that -presently.</p> - -<p>The whole of the eleven prisoners were next arraigned on a third -indictment, which was founded on the coroner’s inquisition, by which -they were all, together with certain other persons to the jurors -unknown, pronounced guilty of the wilful murder of Richard Smithers. -In this indictment the name of Wilson was correctly set forth: he, -therefore, together with the other prisoners, pleaded Not Guilty.</p> - -<p>Arthur Thistlewood was then arraigned separately on an indictment, -charging him with shooting at, with intent to kill, or do some grievous -bodily harm to, William Westcott, one of the Bow-street patrol engaged -in arresting the conspirators in Cato-street. He pleaded Not Guilty, as -did</p> - -<p>James Ings and Richard Tidd to similar indictments preferred against -the latter, for shooting at, with intent to kill, William Legg, -serjeant in the Coldstream Guards; and the former for shooting at -William Charles Brooks, one of the Bow-street patrol.</p> - -<p>To each of these indictments a count was added, alleging the intent -to be to obstruct certain officers of the peace in apprehending them -while in the pursuit of illegal objects, and conspiring to murder and -assassinate certain liege subjects of our Lord the King.</p> - -<p>James Wilson was put to the bar to plead to an indictment against -him for shooting at John Muddock, one of the soldiers engaged in -Cato-street; but, being again described as James William Wilson, he -pleaded his misnomer once more, and a plea was ordered to be prepared -accordingly. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> - -<p>The whole of the indictments having been gone through,</p> - -<p>The <i>Attorney-General</i> addressed the Commissioners, and said, that -as he understood it was the wish of the prisoners to separate their -challenges, he begged that the prisoners might be apprized that Arthur -Thistlewood would be tried alone upon the indictment for high-treason -on Monday morning.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice</i> desired that the prisoners might be asked, -whether it was their wish to challenge separately?</p> - -<p>The prisoners all expressed their wish to that effect.</p> - -<p>Mr. <i>Shelton</i> then addressed Thistlewood, and informed him that he -would be put upon his trial for high-treason on Monday morning, at nine -o’clock.</p> - -<p>The prisoners were then all taken from the bar, with the exception -of Wilson, who remained to make affidavits to the pleas which he had -tendered.</p> - -<p>The <i>Attorney General</i> then adverted to the necessity of assigning -Council to the prisoners under the terms of the statute.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice</i> desired that the names of the Council selected -by the prisoners might be stated to the Court.</p> - -<p>Mr. <i>Harmer</i> immediately announced, that Mr. <span class="smcap">Adolphus</span> and Mr. -<span class="smcap">Curwood</span> were to be the Counsel for the first six prisoners, -including Arthur Thistlewood; and that Mr. <span class="smcap">Walford</span> and Mr. -<span class="smcap">Broderick</span> would conduct the defence of the remaining five.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice</i> directed that the Council named should be -assigned accordingly.</p> - -<p>The additional pleas of Wilson were then brought into court by Mr. -Harmer, and the prisoner was sworn to their contents.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice</i>.—Let the pleas be received. His Lordship -subsequently announced, that the Attorney-General had filed his -replication to the pleas in question.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i108.jpg" alt="Thomas Hiden Robert Adams" /></div> - -<p>Wilson was then taken back to Newgate, and the whole of the prisoners -were re-conducted to their <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>respective places of confinement. -Thistlewood shook hands most cordially with some of his companions, -whom he had not previously seen since his commitment.</p> - -<h2>TRIAL OF ARTHUR THISTLEWOOD,</h2> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">First Day, April 17, 1820.</span></p> - -<p>The interest excited by this trial was strongly manifested by the -assemblage of a crowd in front of the Sessions-house, as early as seven -o’clock. Previous to this time a numerous body of the civil force -had arrived, and were stationed in such situations as to control the -multitude. For the purpose of preventing the interruption arising from -the passage of carriages and carts through the Old Bailey, rails were -erected at the two ends, next Ludgate-hill and Fleet-lane. These were -only opened to admit the carriages of persons engaged in the business -of the Court.</p> - -<p>At eight o’clock the arrival of the jurymen who had been summoned -created considerable bustle, and this was greatly increased by the -pressure of other persons for admission to the Court. Regulations were -adopted to prevent the entrance of those who were not provided with -tickets. This was the more necessary, as from the limited nature of the -Court but a small portion of the public could obtain accommodation. -The Jury alone, who stood in the body of the Court, were upwards of -two hundred in number. Certain boxes were devoted to the reception of -females, several of whom were present.</p> - -<p>The witnesses for the Crown were divided into two parties. The more -respectable were placed in the Grand Jury room, and those of an humbler -class remained in a contiguous apartment.</p> - -<p>Monument, who remained a prisoner in the Tower, was brought from thence -in the care of two warders, and Lavender and Bishop. He was placed in -a room by himself, as was Adams, who was brought from the House of -Correction in the custody of Governor Adkins. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> - -<p>The pikes, swords, guns, pistols, grenades, ammunition, and other -articles intended to be produced on the trial, and which the witnesses -brought with them, presented a most formidable appearance.</p> - -<p>At half-past eight Thistlewood was conducted from his cell, in the care -of one of the Turnkeys. He appeared greatly dejected. He was placed in -the apartment usually devoted to those about to be put on their trials. -The other prisoners were not brought down.</p> - -<p>As the time appointed for the sitting of the Commissioners approached, -the body of the Court became greatly crowded; while the galleries, -which are private property, and to which admission could only be -obtained by the payment of a guinea, were comparatively thin. The -boxes assigned to the Committee of City Lands and the Grand Jury were -completely filled.</p> - -<p>At nine o’clock the Commissioners entered the Court in the same order -as described on Saturday. The Court was then opened in the usual form.</p> - -<p>Mr. <i>Shelton</i> immediately proceeded to call over the names of the -Jurymen summoned. As they answered, they were asked, whether they were -freeholders in the county of Middlesex to the amount of ten pounds -a-year, or of a freehold and copyhold together of that amount? In the -event of their answering in the negative, they were passed over. Those -who did not answer when called, were called upon their summonses “to -come forth and save their fines of 100 shillings and issue.” Several -were in this predicament.</p> - -<p>The object of this ceremony was to ascertain the number and eligibility -of the Jurymen in attendance, preparatory to their being subsequently -subject to the challenges of the crown officers and the prisoners. Some -of the gentlemen were excused from attendance on the ground of their -health being so infirm as to preclude them from doing their duty as -Jurymen.</p> - -<p>While this form was going through, the prisoner Thistlewood was put -to the bar, and attracted general<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> attention. He was dressed as on -Saturday, and came forward with apparent firmness. He had in his hand a -pencil and a sheet of paper. He paid particular attention to the names -as they were called over.</p> - -<p>The Council for the Crown in attendance were, the Attorney-General, -the Solicitor-General, Mr. Bolland, and Mr. Littledale. Those for -the prisoners were, Mr. Curwood, Mr. Adolphus, Mr. Walford, and Mr. -Broderick. Such was the pressure occasioned by the assemblage of the -Jury, that they were constrained to ask permission to quit the Court as -their names were called over. This request was complied with, but they -were desired to remain within hearing.</p> - -<p>As the prisoner stood at the bar, and while the Court was occupied in -attending to the list of the jury being called over, a man of shabby -appearance contrived to get to the corner of the dock, and to place his -hat on the board in front, and then, calling Thistlewood’s attention, -directed him to take the contents. Thistlewood immediately took from -the hat five oranges, which he put in his pocket. Mr. Brown, who was -in his box, witnessed the transaction, and admonished the obtruder. He -afterwards directed one of his turnkeys to take the oranges into his -possession. Thistlewood, on being asked, delivered up the fruit, and -they were carried out of Court to be examined.</p> - -<p>There might seem, in this conduct, on the part of Mr. Brown, something -of harshness; but when it is recollected that an orange might be -made the vehicle of conveying to the prisoner the means of personal -destruction, or some other thing which the precautions already taken -were meant to prevent, it will be seen that he did no more than -became the vigilant execution of his duty. The oranges, having been -examined, were returned. It was intimated to Thistlewood that he should -be provided with any thing in the way of refreshment which he might -require. We have already stated, that all <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>communication with the -prisoner, save under an order from the Secretary of State, had been -most positively interdicted. The act of the individual in the present -instance, however well-intentioned, was in direct contravention of this -order.</p> - -<p>Subsequent to this transaction, two letters, which had come by post, -were delivered to Mr. Brown. We believe they were addressed to the -prisoners, and, after they had been shewn to him, Mr. Brown felt it his -duty to enclose and send them to the Solicitor of the Treasury.</p> - -<p>At twelve o’clock the whole of the jury had been called over.</p> - -<p><i>Thistlewood</i> then addressed the Court, and said, “Will your Lordship -allow me a chair?”</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice</i>.—Considering the length of time which your -trial is likely to last, the Court will grant you this indulgence.</p> - -<p>A chair was then placed at the front of the dock, and the prisoner sat -down, having first thanked the Court.</p> - -<p class="center">THE TRIAL.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Shelton</i> then announced to the prisoner, that the jury were about -to be called; and that, if he was disposed to challenge any or either -of them, he would do so on their coming to the box to be sworn, and -before they were sworn.</p> - -<p>A considerable number of challenges then took place, both on the part -of the crown and of the prisoner; at length the following jurymen were -impannelled:</p> - -<blockquote><p>Alexander Barclay, Teddington, gent. and grocer.<br /> -Thomas Goodchild, North-end, Hendon, Esq.<br /> -Thomas Suffield Aldersey, Lisson-grove, North, Esq.<br /> -James Herbert, Isleworth, carpenter.<br /> -John Shooter, North-end, Hendon, gent.<br /> -Samuel Granger, Blackwall, lighterman.<br /> -George Dickenson, Colt-street, Limehouse, builder.<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>John Edward Sheppard, Eden-grove, Holloway,<br /> -John Fowler, St. John-street, iron-plate-worker.<br /> -William Gibbs Roberts, Ropemakers-field, Limehouse, cooper.<br /> -John Dobson, Felix-place, Islington, Esq.<br /> -William Cooper, Grove-street, St. Pancras, Esq.</p></blockquote> - -<p>After which the <i>Lord Chief Justice</i> thus delivered himself:—“As there -are several persons charged with the offence of high treason by this -indictment, whose trials are likely to be taken one after the other, I -think it necessary, in the furtherance of justice, strictly to prohibit -the publication of the proceedings of this, or any other day, until -the whole of the trials shall be brought to a conclusion. It is highly -necessary to the purposes of justice that the public mind, or the -jurymen who are hereafter to serve, should not be influenced by the -publication of any of the proceedings which may take place, until the -whole of those proceedings shall be finished. It is expected that all -persons, therefore, will attend to this admonition.”</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Shelton</i> then called the attention of the prisoner, and read the -indictment.</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Bolland</i>, as junior Counsel for the Crown, having shortly opened -the indictment, the Attorney-General, at half-past one, proceeded to -address the jury.</p> - -<p>“May it please your Lordship, and gentlemen of the jury; you are -now assembled to discharge one of the most important duties that -can devolve to the province of a jury, to decide upon the guilt or -innocence of a party charged with the highest offence known to the -law; and, upon such an occasion, I am satisfied it is unnecessary for -me to bespeak your patient attention to the case before you, still -less even to hint to you the necessity of coming to the investigation -with unbiassed and unprejudiced minds. You, I am sure, will discharge -from your recollection every thing you may have heard or read relative -to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> the charge which is about to be preferred against the prisoner -at the bar, confining your attention solely and exclusively to the -evidence which will be adduced in support of the charge, and forming -your conclusion on that evidence only. Gentlemen, the charge as I have -stated to you, is one of the highest nature known to the law. Other -offences, generally speaking, however heinous and however enormous, may -in their consequences, except so far as example is concerned, end with -the fate of the perpetrators, or with the individuals who have been -injured; but, with respect to high treason, not only in its inception, -but still more so if it is unfortunately completed, it draws after -it consequences of the most important kind, affecting, not merely -individuals, but the whole community against whom it is directed.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, I shall not trouble you in the observations I have to make -to you, painful as the duty now imposed upon me is, with any lengthened -detail with regard to the law as it affects the charge imputed to the -prisoner; because, if I mistake not, that law is so clear, and if I err -not greatly, the facts that will be proved to you will establish the -case against the prisoner in so clear and satisfactory a manner, that -it would be an idle affectation in me to cite any authorities before -you in support of the charge; because if the overt acts, as they are -called, or any of them, are proved to your satisfaction (and I have no -doubt but a considerable number of them will be proved,) no man who -hears me can entertain the slightest doubt that the offence charged in -the indictment will be established in point of law.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, the charges in this indictment, though four in number, -will be all proved to you by the same evidence; and if the evidence I -shall lay before you be sufficient to establish one of them, it will, I -believe, completely establish the whole. Three of the offences charged, -consist in compassing and imagining the deposition of the King from his -throne; the death of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> the King; and a conspiracy to levy war, in order -to compel him to change his measures for the government of the kingdom.</p> - -<p>“It is hardly necessary for me to state to you, that in proof of -these charges, it is not essential that the plans of the parties -accused should aim directly and immediately either at the life or the -deposition of his Majesty; because, if they are aimed at that form of -government which now exists—if intended to bring about a change in the -system of rule now established, by means of war, which would naturally -tend to effect that which must ultimately result either in the removal -of the King from his kingly dignity, or in compelling him to change -his measures in Council, that would be high treason; and therefore -in these cases it is quite sufficient to shew that the plans framed -were of a description and nature aiming against the government, (which -will undoubtedly be proved in this case) although not directly and in -the first instance aimed against the personal safety or the personal -authority of the Crown. If, therefore, the consequences of the acts -of the accused in this case, if those acts had been perfected, must -inevitably have led to these results, they establish in point of law -the treason charged; and therefore, Gentlemen, not to bewilder you -in the inquiry which you are about to enter upon, I think it quite -sufficient in the outset to state to you, that, in which I believe I -shall be confirmed by the highest authority in the law when this case -comes to be summed up to you, <i>viz.</i>, that if the overt acts and facts -charged in the indictment as evidencing the intention existing in the -minds of the conspirators be proved to your satisfaction, they do prove -the charges laid in this indictment; and, therefore, it is unnecessary -to trouble you with any further observations on the law of the case.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, important as the duty is which you are called upon to -discharge, and anxious as that duty certainly must be to you, mine, I -say, is no less anxious; for although in the address I purpose<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> making -to you, I do assure you I mean only to inform your minds of the nature -of the charge brought before you, and of the evidence by which that -charge will be substantiated, yet my duty is most painful; and I make -this address with no view of leading your minds to any conclusion which -the evidence itself does not warrant—with no intention of making any -addition of my own, for, God knows, the facts want no addition to -accelerate the inevitable conclusion to which you must come. It is my -duty to state to you, as counsel for the prosecution, the case against -the unfortunate man at the bar, as detailed to me in my instructions. -My anxiety, therefore, is, I do assure you most conscientiously, not -by any thing I shall state to you to attempt to lead or direct your -minds to the conclusion which you ought only to draw from the evidence, -but to state to you calmly and fairly the facts which I believe will -be proved, without any attempt at exaggeration on the one hand, or -any thing but a fair and candid narrative on the other, without any -colouring whatever, because no colouring can alter the real facts -of the case, however high. If I should err in this, and if in any -thing I state to you, you shall, when you come to make up your minds, -think the statement not proved in evidence, or the observations or -inferences which I may have drawn shall not be fairly borne out by -the facts proved, you will dismiss them from your minds, and confine -your attention to that alone which is proved. But if you believe the -statement I shall make, if you believe the observations made in that -statement are fair and natural on the facts, then you will give them -the weight they deserve, and you will suffer them to operate so far, -and no further, as you, in your judgment, think they ought.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, having said thus much, I will, without farther preface, -call your attention as perspicuously and as shortly as I can to the -facts which will be proved in evidence to support the charges. The -prisoner at the bar, Arthur Thistlewood, must be already<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> known to you -by name; but, as I before stated to you, let nothing that you have -known or heard of him before you came into this court to discharge the -solemn duty you are bound to perform, have the least effect upon that -verdict you are to pronounce. The prisoner at the bar, however, I state -to you, as it will be proved in evidence, had for some time conceived -the wicked and nefarious plan of overturning the government so long -established in this country; and it will appear to you that several, -nay, all of the persons mentioned in the indictment, were participators -in the same design; some of them, probably, coming into that purpose -and design at a later period than others, but all of them concurring in -the last criminal event which led to their detection. I shall prove to -you by the most satisfactory evidence, that all of them were combining -in that act, which was to be the commencement of that revolution in the -country, which was meditated. I would, however, call your attention to -two persons, whose names you will frequently hear in the course of this -inquiry, I mean a person of the name of James Ings, and a person of the -name of John Thomas Brunt.</p> - -<p>“The prisoner at the bar resided, during the time of the transaction -which I am about to relate to you, in Stanhope-street, Clare Market. -The person named Brunt, I believe, was a shoe-maker or boot-closer, -residing at a place which will be frequently mentioned in the course -of the evidence, Fox-court, Gray’s Inn-lane; he inhabited two rooms in -a house in that court, I believe the second floor, and in one of which -his trade was carried on, and in the other his family, consisting of -himself, his wife, an apprentice of the name of Hales, and his son, -lived.</p> - -<p>“I shall not carry your attention very far back in the narrative of -this transaction; it will be sufficient for me particularly in the -outset, to call your attention to circumstances that took place between -the close of the month of January and the 23d of the following month of -February. Undoubtedly it will appear to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> you, that long prior to that -period the prisoner at the bar, the two persons I have mentioned, and -several of the others, whose names are included in this indictment, -had consulted and devised plans for the purpose of overturning the -Government. They had frequent meetings at a public-house, called the -White Hart, in Brooks’ Market, in a room which they had obtained for -the purpose of these meetings, behind that public-house.</p> - -<p>“About the latter end of January, or at the commencement of the month -of February, they thought it prudent to remove their meetings from this -place, and that it would be better that they should be carried on, if -possible, in a room in the house where Brunt lived in Fox-court; and -to avoid suspicion, they therefore had recourse to this contrivance, -that another room in that house, and upon the same floor on which Brunt -resided, should be taken by the prisoner Ings, who is, I believe, by -trade a butcher. Brunt and Ings on that occasion hired that room, -for the avowed purpose of a lodging for Ings, but for the secret and -real object of having their meetings there, where they might devise -their plans, and prepare the means for carrying the object of their -conspiracy into execution; that being a place of more security and -privacy than the one at which they had previously held their assemblies.</p> - -<p>“At the close of the month of January, or the beginning of the month -of February, you will learn, that having previously prepared means -for effecting their plans, their meetings at Brunt’s room became more -frequent and regular. They had determined—and, Gentlemen, I here -regret, that in an English Court of Justice I have to state to you -the horrible purpose which then entered into their minds, and the way -in which they intended to consummate the nefarious operations they -had in view.—It was thought by Englishmen, that the assassination -of several, if not all, of his Majesty’s ministers would be a proper -step towards carrying into effect the revolution<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> they intended; and -you will find that they meditated and consulted on the means by which -that horrible purpose was to be completed. They entertained hopes that -they might be enabled, at some meeting of his Majesty’s ministers, to -effect all at once the double purpose they had conceived. Having done -that, they intended at the same moment, or about the same time, to -set fire to various parts of this metropolis—to endeavour to obtain -possession of the cannon which were at the Artillery Ground, and at the -Light Horse Volunteers’ Stables in Gray’s Inn-lane—to create as much -confusion and dismay as they could by these various operations, and -then to establish, what, in their vain expectations, they had imagined -themselves capable of effecting—a provisional government, the seat of -which was to be at the Mansion-house. They had frequent deliberations -on this plan.</p> - -<p>“You will recollect that his late Most Excellent Majesty died on the -29th of January. At this time their deliberations were going on with -the greatest activity. During the latter end of that month and the -beginning of February, it was thought that the meeting of his Majesty’s -ministers at the King’s funeral would be a proper occasion for carrying -their plans into effect. They had intimation that upon that occasion, -the greater part of the troops centred in the metropolis would be -removed to Windsor, to witness the solemnity; and they imagined that -would be a fit and proper period to commence their operations; but, -however, they found that their schemes embraced more objects than at -that period they had the means of effecting, and upon that night they -did not attempt the purposes they had in view. But, gentlemen, brooding -over their nefarious schemes, many of these men became impatient at -the delay which from unavoidable circumstances, interposed between the -present day and that on which they hoped to accomplish their purposes; -and you will find that on the 19th of February, to which I shall -presently call your attention, the impatience became so great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> on the -part of many of these persons as to be restrained no longer. They found -that during this delay, an opportunity offered at which they could -effect the horrible purpose I have mentioned—the assassination of all -his Majesty’s ministers assembled at one and the same house.</p> - -<p>“They got intimation on Saturday the 16th of February, that on the -Wednesday following the opportunity would occur when they would be able -to effect their purpose, by finding that his Majesty’s ministers would -be assembled at the same house. Upon hearing that such an assemblage -was to take place, they determined, at a meeting held for that purpose, -that at all events, on the following Wednesday some blow should be -struck, and that the revolution they had in contemplation should -actually take place.</p> - -<p>“Having thus determined, they appointed a meeting on the following day, -Saturday, at Brunt’s house, for the purpose of forming a committee, -upon whom should devolve the plan which was to be effected on the -ensuing Wednesday, at that meeting; and indeed at all the meetings, -you will find the prisoner foremost in every thing. He was to be -their leader, and he was to be one of the men on whom they placed the -greatest reliance. You will find that at this meeting he is the person -who addressed them, and prepared the plans, and in whose plans they -placed the greatest confidence.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, upon this 19th of February it was, that Thistlewood -proposed that which I have stated to you. He stated, that as it did not -appear from the intelligence they could collect, that Ministers were -likely to meet at the cabinet-dinner soon, they immediately ascertained -the strength of their respective parties, and having so ascertained -them, these parties should be divided into different bodies, upon some -of whom should devolve the horrible duty of destroying as many of his -Majesty’s ministers as their means and convenience would allow; that -upon others should be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> imposed the duty of setting fire to various -parts of the metropolis; and that others should be assigned other -duties, which were there pointed out by the prisoner.</p> - -<p>“This plan, formed at that meeting, was seconded by Brunt, whose -name I have already mentioned; and there too it was agreed as I have -already stated, that on the following day, Saturday, a meeting should -take place at Brunt’s room, in order to appoint a committee, upon -whom should devolve the final arrangement of the plan which was to be -executed on the following Wednesday.</p> - -<p>“On the Sunday the meeting accordingly took place, attended by the -prisoner, by Ings, by Harrison, by Wilson, and by other persons, whose -names are mentioned in this indictment, and with which I do not at -this moment trouble you, because, as your attention is confined to the -present prisoner, it is unnecessary to do so. At the same time, in the -course of this investigation, connecting, as we shall do, all these -persons in one common plan and design, the acts and declarations of -each will be most important, because they will all be answerable for -the acts of each in furtherance of their common purpose. Upon that -occasion they met at Brunt’s, and it was then agreed that they should -meet again on the following morning, Monday, February 21.</p> - -<p>“After the plans, I should tell you, on the Sunday were again repeated -by Thistlewood, they were again approved by these persons. I think the -number who attended on that occasion amounted to fourteen or fifteen -persons. They then agreed that no activity should be wanting in the -mean time. I mean to prepare that to which I shall by-and-by, call -your attention. They met again on Monday at Brunt’s. The same plan was -again canvassed. No objection was made, and they then separated for the -purpose of communicating it to their different friends in different -parts of the town; and for the purpose of collecting as many persons as -they were enabled to do for the meeting on the following Wednesday. On<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> -Tuesday the 22d of February, a meeting took place again in the morning, -at Brunt’s; and upon that occasion, one of the parties communicated -to some who were present, that he had discovered by the newspapers, -that a cabinet dinner was to be given on the following day, Wednesday, -at my Lord Harrowby’s, in Grosvenor-square. Gentlemen, you will be -shocked when you come to hear the evidence detailed, to find with what -exultation this intelligence was received. Brunt, with an impiety -which must shock every well-regulated mind, exclaimed, ‘that till then -he disbelieved the existence of a God, but that now he was satisfied -the Almighty was favouring their designs, and that this dinner was -appointed by Providence on the following day to enable them at one blow -to effect that purpose which had been levelled against each of his -Majesty’s ministers separately, and that they might be enabled by that -means to accomplish at once, the whole destruction they meditated.’ -The exultation was not confined to him; you will find, that Ings -and the other persons present equally rejoiced at the prospect of a -speedy termination of their nefarious purposes, and hoping that on the -following night they should at length attain that which was so great -an object of their desire, and which they had pursued with the utmost -anxiety. The newspaper was then sent for, to see if the intelligence -was true. On being brought it was immediately determined, that instead -of the plan of endeavouring to assassinate some of his Majesty’s -ministers at their respective houses, that my Lord Harrowby’s should -be the place of attack; and that there in the evening, between eight -and nine o’ clock, after all the guests were assembled, and were lulled -into security, that the attack should be made on the house, and that -the ministers should be destroyed by the means I shall state to you.</p> - -<p>“Their activity on this intelligence being received, was redoubled; -they met again in the evening—their different partizans were requested -at once to obtain all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> their fire-arms, the ammunition they had -previously collected, and the different instruments of mischief which -you will find they had prepared for execution, and that they should -be in a state of preparation on the following evening to effect this -purpose. I should have stated to you, gentlemen, before I had come to -this part of the narrative, that a person of the name of Tidd, who -is also included in this indictment, and who lived, I believe in the -Hole-in-the-Wall-alley, Brooks’-market, was one of the conspirators, -and had embarked in these plans. His house was made the depôt of arms -and ammunition.</p> - -<p>“As the meeting of the conspirators had been held at Brunt’s, they had -a suspicion that their proceedings might be watched, and they thought -it unsafe that that should be the place of deposit, and therefore -Tidd’s house had, for some time, been the depository for the arms and -ammunition which had been collected.</p> - -<p>“As Brunt’s house was, as you know, at some considerable distance -from Grosvenor-square, where the commencement of this scene of blood -was to take place, they thought it would be better to procure some -place of rendezvous nearer to the house of Lord Harrowby; and you will -find therefore, though it was not communicated at that moment to the -different parties, who were to be engaged in the transaction, that -a place was procured at the west end of the town, in Cato-street, -which runs into John-street, and thence to the Edgeware-road. A place -was there procured by Harrison, another of the conspirators, for the -purpose of meeting on the following evening, preparatory to their going -to Grosvenor-square.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, it frequently and providentially happens, as it generally -will in conspiracies of this nature, that some of the parties, previous -to the perpetration of their wicked designs, feel some compunction, -which leads to a disclosure of their plans, and a prevention of their -intentions; and you will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> find in evidence, in this case, that upon the -Tuesday, the day on which the intelligence was received that the dinner -was to be at Lord Harrowby’s the next day, which really was the case, -one person of the name of Hiden, who had these plans communicated to -him, because it was hoped that he would become a participator in their -designs, felt such compunction as to compel him to communicate to Lord -Harrowby the plan that was designed; and you will find, that upon that -day, this person took an opportunity of watching Lord Harrowby from his -house, on horseback, into the park, and there he generally communicated -to him that some mischief was intended against him, and therefore -forewarned him of it.</p> - -<p>“It will also appear to you, that at their meeting on Tuesday some -little alarm had been excited in the minds of some of the party, by -a person named Adams, who had been told by the publican at the White -Hart, that their meetings had been suspected, and that they were in -some hazard of being discovered. He therefore stated to Thistlewood, -and others, on Tuesday, that a communication had been made to him -by the landlord that their meetings at the White Hart public-house -had been observed by some of the police officers, and therefore he -expressed his apprehensions, that their plans had been discovered, -or were likely to be discovered. This excited in the minds of those -present the greatest agitation. They were astonished that Adams should -have ventured at such a meeting, consisting of fourteen or fifteen -persons, to hint that there was a possibility of their plans being -discovered. The intelligence produced the greatest alarm, and they -immediately took into consideration what was best to do.</p> - -<p>“The prisoner Brunt, in order to ascertain whether there was any ground -for the suspicions entertained by Adams, proposed that some of the -party should be posted near Lord Harrowby’s house, on Tuesday evening, -and early on the following Wednesday, with a view of seeing whether any -preparations were made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> to receive any intended attack, and thereby to -ascertain to their satisfaction whether or not their plans had been -discovered; and you will find that the suggestion of Brunt was carried -into effect, by sending two or three parties, amongst whom was a man -named Davidson, who will be a very conspicuous person throughout this -transaction, and one of the most active partizans, to watch the house. -They sent him and another person about six o’clock that evening, to -watch Lord Harrowby’s house, and they were to be relieved between eight -and nine o’clock by two others of the party, who were to keep three -hours’ watch; at the end of which time they were to be relieved by -others, who, in their turn, would be relieved by four in the morning. -It will be proved to you that they actually went there on that night, -and were seen by different persons in Grosvenor-square, watching Lord -Harrowby’s house for the purpose mentioned, and finding, as was the -case, that there appeared to be no alarm—that there were no police -officers, or troops of any description introduced into Lord Harrowby’s -house, or stationed in the neighbourhood, they felt quite satisfied -that it was a groundless alarm on the part of Adams—that there was no -foundation for suspecting that any of their plans were discovered; and -therefore they proceeded without hesitation or dread to complete, as -far as they could, the purpose they had in view.</p> - -<p>“On the Wednesday morning, great preparations were made. Arms were -brought by Brunt in great abundance to the stable in Cato-street; they -consisted of sabres, swords, guns, pistols, and other destructive -instruments of offence. But one of the most terrific instruments, -and calculated for the most deadly purposes, and which they prepared -themselves, was what was called a hand-grenade. It was composed in -this way—there was a quantity of gunpowder enclosed in a tin case, -three or four inches in circumference, round which was tied a quantity -of tow, and on the outside was a quantity of iron, in pieces of -various<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> descriptions, sharp-pointed, and otherwise shaped, which were -fastened together, and tied round with the same sort of material I have -mentioned, so as to enable the instrument to explode with the greatest -force; and the object of this machine was stated without disguise to be -this: that upon their entrance into Lord Harrowby’s house, it was to be -lighted by a fusee, communicating with the powder, and then thrown into -the room; and by the explosion, the persons exposed to the mischief -might be killed or wounded, as would naturally be the case. It seems -they had prepared a great number of these destructive instruments; I -know not how many.</p> - -<p>“They had also prepared what they, in their mode of expression, -called illumination balls, made for the purpose of setting fire to -any buildings which it was their object and purpose to destroy. They -had prepared also a large quantity of ball cartridges, the amount of -which will probably surprise you, considering the apparently feeble -means these persons had of procuring articles of this description. -Will it be believed, that they had prepared between 11 and 1,200 -rounds of ball cartridges? They had also prepared several sorts of -cartridges of a different description, made with flannel bags, and had -provided themselves with a very large quantity of powder. They had also -prepared a great number of pikes, and pike handles, for the purpose of -arming their friends and associates, who had no other arms. All these -preparations must, obviously, have been the work of a considerable -length of time. They must have been the fruits of very great labour, -and they were all prepared and ready on the 23d of February for their -intended operations.</p> - -<p>“On the morning of the 23d of February, several of the conspirators -assembled at Brunt’s house, where they were engaged in completing -their hand-grenades, putting flints into their pistols, loading their -arms, and, in short, making every preparation for the approaching -attack. These facts will be proved to you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> by Brunt’s apprentice. I -have already told you, that for the purpose of their meeting, and for -the convenience of having some place near to Lord Harrowby’s house, a -stable had been hired by one of the conspirators in Cato-street, near -the Edgeware-road.</p> - -<p>“I know not whether curiosity has led any of you, as it has done a -great many of the public, to visit the place; but if it has not, I will -endeavour to describe the situation, and I think you will agree with -me, that a more appropriate situation for the purpose contemplated -could hardly be selected. It is an obscure street, having a very narrow -access at either end. I think at one end there is not any access for -carriages, and at the other there is an archway, and under it posts, -to prevent none but foot-passengers going in or out. The east end -passes into John-street, and the west end, which is a very narrow -cartway, runs into Queen-street, both John-street and Queen-street -running parallel with each other into the Edgeware-road. The stable -is the first building as you enter Cato-street from John-street on -the right-hand side of the way, and it is nearly opposite the small -public-house, called by the sign of the Horse and Groom. The stable -had been occupied by General Watson, who is abroad, and rented of him -by a person of the name of Firth, by whom it was let to Harrison for -this purpose. It consists below stairs of a stable, with three stalls, -and a small place adjoining, for the reception of a carriage or cart; -and at the further end of it, nearly opposite the door, as you enter, -is a step-ladder leading up into the loft over the stable, on the side -of which are two small rooms, which are immediately over the cart or -coach-house.</p> - -<p>“It will be proved to you, that previously to the meeting on that -evening, which was to take place about seven or eight o’clock, -preparations had been made by Harrison, and several others of the party -in the stable, for the reception of those who were to be assembled. In -order to avoid the observation of the neighbourhood, some pieces of -canvass had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> nailed up against the window of the loft, to prevent -persons from observing on the opposite side of the street what might be -passing; and it was remarked by several of the neighbours, that this -place was visited by a great number of persons during the afternoon, -who were carrying something on their backs which the neighbours did -not discover, but which, I have no doubt, were the arms and other -implements of mischief collected there, and found when the prisoners -were taken. Harrison, who was known to be one of those persons, was -observed going into the stable in the afternoon; and on being asked -what his purpose was in going there, he said, he had taken it from -Firth, and was cleaning it out. About six o’clock, Davidson, the man -of colour, was also observed by some of these persons residing close -to the stable, going in with something on his back, and under his arm, -which they could not discover, and a number of candles in his hand. You -will find that he applied at one of the houses adjoining the stable, at -six o’clock, to light one of these candles, with which he went into the -stable. A party was to meet at Brunt’s lodgings, in order to proceed -from thence to this stable. Tidd, whose name I have already mentioned, -and who lived in the Hole-in-the-Wall-alley, was to accompany another -party. They had not communicated to all the party, at first, the -precise place of meeting, but some were to meet at the Horse and Groom, -and others were to go to the Edgeware-road, near John-street, where -some of the conspirators were to shew them to the place of rendezvous.</p> - -<p>“Between seven and eight o’clock Brunt, and some others from his -house, took their departure with arms, with which they had there -provided themselves, and concealed under their coats, to this stable in -Cato-street. They met there Thistlewood, Ings, Wilson, and some others, -and here they proceeded to arm themselves with the weapons provided, -and which were afterwards found; such as guns, pistols, swords, a great -number of hand-grenades, and a <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>considerable number of pikes, rudely -formed, but sufficient for the purpose of doing incredible mischief. -The handles of the pikes were composed of rough ash sticks of a large -size, the ends of which were planed off, to admit a ferrule, and at the -end was stuck a pike-head or bayonet; for articles of both descriptions -were found, screwed on for the purpose of being afterwards used.</p> - -<p>“At first their party at Cato-street consisted only of fourteen or -fifteen persons, and some little alarm was excited, and some little -suspicion evidently raised, in the mind of Thistlewood and some -others, at Tidd’s not making his appearance at the appointed time, for -there being some remarks made that their number was not so large as -was expected, it was stated by Thistlewood, and by some others, that -there were other persons, who would by-and-by assemble, and that other -parties were gone for different purposes about the metropolis, who were -not to accompany them to Lord Harrowby’s house in Grosvenor-square. -In a short time afterwards, however, Tidd made his appearance with a -person named Monument, who will be produced as a witness; a person who -had only been recently induced to participate in their schemes—who a -short time before had been introduced to Thistlewood, and who had an -intimation generally with respect to their particular views; but he -had not been admitted to a knowledge of the whole scope of the plan, -until he arrived at Cato-street, although he might be aware that their -object was to overturn the Government in some way or other. He arrived, -however, with Tidd about seven o’clock, and the party at that time -consisted of about twenty-five persons; two of them were appointed to -remain as sentries below stairs to prevent any interruption. These -persons were Davidson and Ings, and they remained on guard whilst the -other conspirators were above stairs talking over their plans, and -making the final arrangements for proceeding to Lord Harrowby’s house, -in Grosvenor-square, which they proposed to do between seven and eight -o’clock.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> Some alarm, as I have already told you, had prevailed in the -party. Some of them expressed a fear that their own strength was hardly -adequate to the object in view. Upon which Thistlewood and Ings said -the opportunity must not be lost; that there was enough to complete -the purpose of destroying his Majesty’s ministers; that when that was -accomplished, the other consequences would follow; that they should -have parties ready to set fire to different parts of the metropolis; -that they would be joined by immense numbers the moment the first blow -was struck, and therefore, there could be no hesitation in their minds -to execute the intended purpose.</p> - -<p>“Having thus assembled their forces, and prepared themselves for -the desperate object of their enterprise, they began between seven -and eight o’clock to consider who should be the party to enter Lord -Harrowby’s house to destroy the ministers. The plan had been, that -Thistlewood was to knock at the door, under the pretence of having a -note to deliver to Lord Harrowby, and by that means having obtained -access to the hall, they were to compel the servants to shew them to -the room where the ministers were assembled; that they were to secure -the servants, who, they naturally believed, would be soon overpowered, -and should then immediately make their way into the room; and then -they should, without discrimination, without reserve, or without any -remorse, destroy every one of his Majesty’s ministers who should be -assembled.</p> - -<p>“I have stated to you, gentlemen, already the exultation and impiety -displayed by Brunt on one occasion, when he contemplated the completion -of his sanguinary purpose; and I cannot conceal from you one fact, -as it affects the man named Ings, which will be distinctly proved; -he had been a butcher, and he had armed himself on this occasion -not with a blunderbuss, a gun, or any thing of that sort, but with -a large butcher’s knife, and for the purpose of enabling him to use -it with more effect he had twisted round the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> handle a quantity of -thread, in order that when saturated with the blood of his victims, -it might not slip out of his hand; and he stated, in language of the -most gross and horrible import, that with this knife he would himself -effect the murder and mutilation of some of the persons who should be -assembled. The cruelty of the designs this man expressed, is beyond -all description. The scenes, in fact, which had disgraced another -country some years back, were to be acted again on British ground, and -the heads of some of the ministers were to be triumphantly paraded -through the streets, to procure converts to this detestable cause! -Gentlemen, that very knife was found upon, and taken from, that man; -and I mention that only as a corroborating fact, if corroboration be -needed. Gentlemen, thank Heaven, that Providence which kindly watches -over the acts and thoughts of men, mercifully interposed between the -conception of this abominable plot, and its completion, which was all -but perfected.</p> - -<p>“In consequence of the communication made to Lord Harrowby, measures -were taken in other quarters to prevent the impending danger. It being -stated that these persons had met in Cato-street, for the purposes I -have already mentioned, means were immediately taken to secure the -conspirators, which, however, were not so effectual as could have been -wished, but certainly so far as to prevent the execution of their -dreadful purposes. In order to remove all suspicion from the minds -of the conspirators, it was determined by Lord Harrowby, that the -preparations for the dinner, which he had intended undoubtedly for his -Majesty’s ministers, on that occasion, should go on; and in order that -there should be no suspicion in the house of my Lord Harrowby, his -servants were desired to proceed in the necessary arrangements for the -dinner, because there is no doubt, that if any alteration had taken -place in the arrangements of the day, it would have been communicated -to the conspirators; and if they suspected that the dinner was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> not -intended to take place, they would have changed their measures, and the -ends of justice would have been defeated.</p> - -<p>“In consequence, therefore, of the seeming perseverance in the design -of having a cabinet dinner, all suspicion was removed from the minds of -the Cato-street conspirators, who no doubt expected that they should -be enabled, from the short distance of their rendezvous, to reach Lord -Harrowby’s in about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, and accomplish -their purpose unmolested—a circumstance not unlikely, considering -that the hour of eight was chosen; considering that the neighbourhood -was the most quiet and retired in London; at a time, too, when the -inhabitants of the square and its vicinity were employed in domestic -retirement; at that hour when suspicion must be lulled asleep, and -when no apprehensions could be entertained of personal danger; for -that hour, and that moment was chosen by the Cato-street conspirators -to issue from the scene of their nefarious deliberations. Precautions, -however, had been taken as I have stated to you, in order to prevent -the accomplishment of their designs. A number of Bow-street officers -and patrol, had been directed to go to the spot, and endeavour to watch -their movements, and counteract their operations, before they took -their departure, and endeavour to secure the whole assemblage.</p> - -<p>“A party of the Guards also were to attend in John-street, to assist -the police; and, just at the moment that these persons were about -to set out, and when Thistlewood was calling over those who were to -separate from the rest to execute this horrible plan, the officers -entered the loft. Upon their entrance into the stable below, they -found two persons there, armed, who will be proved to be Davidson, -for his colour, which is nearly black, was perceived; he had a double -belt round his waist, in which were pistols and a cutlass, and he had -a gun over his shoulder; they found him inside the door, and another -person,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> who will be distinctly identified to be Ings. He was found at -the bottom of the ladder, with this knife, with a cutlass, a sword, and -with pistols.</p> - -<p>“The officers, with a resolution and courage which does them high -honour, considering the desperation and determination of these -characters, immediately ascended the ladder without securing the -persons below. They merely gave directions to those who followed, -to keep them secure, and they thought that would be enough, without -actually confining them. The first man who went up was a person of the -name of Ruthven, who will be called to you: he was followed by a man -named Ellis: after whom came a man, of whom you have undoubtedly heard -before, named Smithers, who met his death by the hand of Thistlewood.</p> - -<p>“On Smithers ascending the ladder, either Ings or Davidson hallooed -out from below, as a signal for them to be on their guard above, and -upon Ruthven ascending the ladder, Thistlewood, who was at a little -distance from the landing-place, and who was distinctly seen, for -there were several lights in the place, receded a few paces, and the -police-officers announced who they were, and demanded a surrender. -Smithers unfortunately pressed forward in the direction in which -Thistlewood had retreated, into one of the small rooms over the -coach-house, when Thistlewood drew back his arm, in which there was a -sword, and made a thrust at the unfortunate man, Smithers, who received -a wound near his heart, and, with only time to exclaim, “Oh! God!” he -fell a lifeless corpse into the arms of Ellis. Ellis, seeing this blow -given by Thistlewood, immediately discharged a pistol at him, which -missed its aim. Great confusion followed; the lights were struck out; -the officers were forced down the ladder, which was so precipitous, -being almost perpendicular, that they fell, and many of the party -followed them.</p> - -<p>“Thistlewood, among the rest, came down the ladder; and, not satisfied -with the blood of one person,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> he shot at another of the officers as he -came down the ladder, and pressed through the stable, cutting at all -who attempted to oppose him, and made his escape out into John-street, -the military not having yet arrived; and he was no more seen at that -time, except with a sword in his hand in the Edgware-road. By the other -persons an equally desperate resistance was made.</p> - -<p>“Conscious of the evil purpose for which they had assembled, they -waited not to know on what charge they were about to be apprehended; -but instantly made a most desperate resistance. Ings, Davidson, and -Wilson, were particularly desperate, each, I believe, firing at some of -the officers or military, who had only come to the ground on hearing -the report of the fire-arms, not having been previously directed to the -exact spot.</p> - -<p>“Notwithstanding the resistance, however, which they so desperately -made, and in which resistance Thistlewood, Tidd, Davidson, Ings, and -Wilson took a most active part, by attacking the officers and soldiers, -the whole of the conspirators were, at length, fortunately overcome, -and eventually eleven of them secured. Not on that night, however, -for three out of the eleven for the time escaped, namely Thistlewood, -Brunt, and Harrison. The officers, however, not only secured on that -night the eight men, but various articles of fire-arms, numerous -weapons, and certain combustibles.</p> - -<p>“The prisoner Brunt, gentlemen, one of those who escaped, returned -that night to his own house. He was accompanied by another man, and -his own boots were in such a state, as not to fail to excite the -attention of some persons in the house. His boy (an apprentice, named -Hale) soon learned, from the conversation which passed between his -master and the man, that they had just escaped from Cato-street, and -Brunt expressed a belief that his person had not been discovered. -The prisoner, gentlemen, remained home the whole of the night, but -early on the morning <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span>following, he called to him the apprentice boy -I have named, and asked him as to his knowledge of some street in -the Borough, where he wanted to convey some baskets. These were all -carefully packed up, and it is a remarkable circumstance, which will -be spoken to in evidence, that so anxious was he for the concealment -of its contents, that one of the baskets was secured with the apron of -his wife! Gentlemen, the prisoner now thought all secure; but he had -scarcely effected his plan, and retired into another room, previous to -despatching the baskets, when the officers entered the house and seized -him. This, you may suppose, was not a little surprising to Brunt; for, -most material would it have been to him to have the baskets removed. -Upon searching these, gentlemen, were found a number of hand-grenades, -fire-balls, and other articles of destruction. Upon their discovery, -Brunt for some time affected ignorance of the thing, but he was told it -was of no use.</p> - -<p>“The prisoner at the bar, Thistlewood, who also escaped on the -night of the 23d, retired not to his own house, however, but to an -obscure lodging in White-street, where he thought to conceal himself. -Information, however, soon reached the police-office, Bow-street, of -his retreat, and early the next morning, a strong party of officers, -headed by Bishop, were sent to apprehend him. Upon their arrival at -the place, every precaution was, of course, taken to prevent an alarm; -while the officers, at the same time, knowing the desperate sort of -character they had to contend with, were equally guarded to resist any -attack which might be made upon them. They proceeded to search the -house, beginning with the top and descending to the lower rooms. They -then observed a small room on the ground-floor, the door of which was -locked, and Bishop demanded the key, which he procured; and knowing -from what had taken place, the determined desperation of this man, he -opened the door as softly as he could, and perceived<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> by some slight -light that came through two or three holes in the window-shutters, -the person of Thistlewood lying on a turn-down bed. The moment he -opened the door, Thistlewood put his head up, and Bishop immediately -discovered him, and he immediately threw himself upon him, to prevent -mischief. He then said, he should make no resistance, and on being -taken out of bed, it was discovered that he had been laying in his -breeches and stockings. Gentlemen, by these means the prisoner at the -bar was taken; and thus ends, in point of fact, the evidence which will -be adduced before you.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, I have now to state to you, at the suggestion of a learned -friend, a fact which I had almost forgotten. It is material for you to -know, that on the 22d February, the conspirators held a consultation -at the house of Brunt. Every thing was, on this occasion considered -as finally arranged. I have already told you, it was their plan to -set fire to various parts of the metropolis, and among other places, -the barracks in King-street were fixed upon, not only because troops -would be there, but because Harrison, who had been, I am sorry to -say, in his Majesty’s service, was acquainted with the situation of -the building, and pointed out the means by which it could be easily -fired; and thus the soldiers, who would have retired to rest, would -be unable to accoutre themselves or their horses. But this is not -all, gentlemen; for at this very consultation, Thistlewood sat down -and wrote two proclamations, in anticipation of the success of his -diabolical schemes, and which proclamations were upon that success to -be issued. But you will observe, gentlemen, it was not considered by -the prisoner duly official to write these proclamations on paper, and -Hale (the apprentice of Brunt) was sent in search of parchment. This -being procured, he wrote an address to the following effect, intended -for the people generally:— </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center">PROCLAMATION.<br /> -“<span class="smcap">Your Tyrants are destroyed!</span><br /> -<br />“<i>The Friends of liberty are desired to come forward and<br /> -support the Provisional Government, which is now sitting.</i>”</p> - -<p>“So that, Gentlemen, if any doubt could be entertained of these men’s -ulterior designs not being confined to the destruction of his Majesty’s -Ministers, this proclamation, written by Thistlewood, would put it -beyond all doubt. He wrote two or three of these. He read them aloud -to the party assembled, and told them that they were to be stuck up -where the houses were on fire, that the people might see it. Afterwards -he sat down, and endeavoured to compose another proclamation, which -was to be issued to the soldiers, and that contained an offer to the -soldiers, calling on them to join the friends of Liberty; promising -them twenty pounds each to carry them home, and that they should be -rewarded with full pay and a pension for life!! These proclamations, -Gentlemen, were read aloud by Thistlewood to the conspirators, and they -were unanimously approved. Some of them, I should tell you, were to be -posted as convenient as possible to every barrack or public place which -might be set fire to or destroyed. Thistlewood himself carried the -proclamations from the house of Brunt to Cato-street.</p> - -<p>“And now, Gentlemen, having stated these facts, let me pause to ask -you, whether, if I prove them in evidence, you can come to any other -conclusion than that the prisoner who stands before you, is guilty? -What answer, I will ask, can be given to such evidence as this, and -if no answer can be given in evidence, what answer can be given -in reason? It may be urged, in a general sense, that such schemes -and such plans as the facts I have related to you disclose, ought -scarcely to be credited in a Court of Justice. This may be inferred -from the circumstance of heated men with heated passions conceiving -and proposing the adoption of plans, wild and visionary, and in fact -wholly impracticable. In this case, however, such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> principle did not -exist; for here were long laid regular plans, extensive schemes, and -the most abundant preparations, to effect a wicked purpose. And will -not desperate and designing men, infuriated by their passions either -influence others to the accomplishment of such plans, or be worked upon -by them themselves. Look then, Gentlemen, to the facts of the case -yourselves. You will view them as calm and sober men, and in doing -so, you will perceive such a system and such an adroitness towards -the execution of that system, that their object requires but little -solution.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, it is not your duty to consider whether the schemes in -question were wild and visionary, but whether they had for their object -an illegal or wicked purpose; and if illegal, and that towards the -execution of their plans they took but one step, they have then done -that which renders them amenable to the offended laws of their country. -If these arguments, Gentlemen, won’t avail, what then may not be urged -for the prisoner? But you will also be told that accomplices are not to -be believed on their oath in a Court of Justice. I contend, however, -that they should; and if it was not permitted to accomplices in guilt -to give evidence for the purposes of justice, then the blackest and -foulest crimes would be daily committed, and go unpunished. But it is -not the law of England, alone, to hear the evidence of an accomplice. -It is the law of reason also, and has been the law of all ages and -nations. I admit that you should watch with the greatest caution -and jealousy the testimony of an accomplice. You should weigh his -story well, and see whether it be confirmed by the more indifferent -witnesses. Not confirmed in every part, for then his evidence would not -be required at all: but in certain collateral parts which may be found -to correspond with the other testimony. If therefore, Gentlemen, an -accomplice is produced before you, and you believe a part of what he -relates, you are bound in a great measure to believe that the whole of -what he tells you is true. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> - -<p>“No man, or set of men, who had ever conceived such plans as I have -laid before you, could have so conceived them without an intention of -pursuing them. The plans, therefore, at least for some time, could be -known only to themselves and to their God. I say then that the evidence -of an accomplice is not only highly necessary, but even laudable; for -if you resist such a principle, the more dark will be the crime, the -more secret the scheme, and the more wicked the purpose. As I told you -before, Gentlemen, it has long been the law of England to receive the -evidence of an accomplice, and even in cases of murder, it has proved -most salutary in the administration of justice.</p> - -<p>“I will call a witness before you,Gentlemen, named Adams, an -accomplice, as you will find, and he being in the full confidence of -the conspirators, will prove to you the nature of all their proceedings -from time to time, and of the different plans and communications -which were made between him and them. I will call another man to you, -Gentlemen, who was the first to make known the diabolical plans of the -conspirators, to my Lord Harrowby; but this man was not much known to -them, nor did he therefore rank high in their councils.</p> - -<p>“This man in fact, when he heard the dreadful plan related of visiting -his Majesty’s ministers with destruction and death, his heart -shuddered, his conscience smote him, and he could hold out no longer. -Some men, you know, have very strong minds, and are not to be deterred -from the most wicked purpose. Others are less firm, and more easily -shaken in the accomplishment of a cruel or immoral design. The witness -whom I shall produce to you, Gentlemen, and whose name is Hiden, is one -of this description.</p> - -<p>“A third witness I shall produce to you, is an individual who was -rather more in confidence with the conspirators. His name is Dwyer, -and you will find that Thistlewood and Davidson applied to him for -his <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span>advice and assistance towards the execution of their murderous -purpose. You will even find that they solicited his aid on the very -day in which that purpose was to be put into execution. This witness, -however, horror-struck at the intended massacre, and feeling it to be -his bounden duty, ran almost instantly and communicated the fact to -others. He first communicated it to his wife, and next to an officer -in the army, named James, with a view that it might be immediately -conveyed to his Majesty’s ministers. This, under the special order of -Providence, was done.</p> - -<p>“And now let me again ask you, Gentlemen, is this testimony to be -rejected? Surely it never can by enlightened men such as you are. But -this even does not furnish my case for the prosecution; for I assure -you it does not rest upon the testimony of Adams, Hiden, and Dwyer; -but there are facts in this case which, I fear, the prisoner will -not be able to answer. Why, I would ask, were these men assembled in -Cato-street, and why at night? There were none of them related to -each other, yet they were all armed with deadly weapons, and found in -close deliberation in an obscure stable. There were also found there -a quantity of destructive grenades and fire-balls, together with a -large portion of ammunition. But this is not all. At the houses of two -others of the conspirators, namely, Brunt and Tidd, there were found -similar articles of destruction, particularly ammunition. The weight -found of the latter, gentlemen, amounted to between eleven and twelve -hundred pounds; and I would ask, in the name of God, what object could -these men have had in the possession of such a quantity of ammunition? -Surely it could not even be for an individual murder! No, gentlemen, it -was the destruction of his Majesty’s ministers in the first place, the -burning and levelling of public barracks and edifices in the next, and -finally, the establishment of a revolution, and the appointment of a -Provisional Government. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> - -<p>“These men, Gentlemen, could never have been unfriendly towards -ministers as individuals. It must have been a hatred of them in the -character of their office alone, and their design was more particularly -levelled at Lord Harrowby, because his Lordship was President of the -Council. Can you doubt, that after this dreadful blow was made, and -it had succeeded, that it was the intention of these conspirators to -have established a provisional government, and thus spread anarchy -and confusion around. In fact, that was the eventual blow meant to be -carried into execution. I say, therefore, that even if the learned -counsel for the prisoners were to contend most successfully against -the evidence of the accomplices, the facts I shall produce to you by -other testimony, will answer the purposes of this just and necessary -prosecution.</p> - -<p>“What was the conduct of the prisoners when they were discovered in -Cato-street? I want not, Gentlemen, by a repetition of this term, to -inflame your minds: but it will be extremely important for you to -remember, that when the officers entered the loft there, and said, ‘we -are officers,’ they submitted not to their authority, but resisted them -even in the most ferocious manner, and one officer, as you have before -heard, unfortunately lost his life. The prisoner at the bar, however, -is not under trial for that offence, nor should the fatal circumstance -operate in the present case against him. But I must again ask you, what -became of the prisoner on the 23d, the intended night of blood and -slaughter? Why he flies from the desperate scene, not to his own home, -as you have already been told, but to an obscure place of concealment. -These, then, Gentlemen, are the facts of this momentous case; and once -more I ask you, what possible conclusion can you draw from such facts, -if they be supported in evidence?</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, I repeat it, that this is a momentous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> and important -case, and if these plots of the conspirators, and of the prisoner in -particular, be proved to have existed—if the means had been used which -I have described to you for effecting the nefarious and diabolical -plans they had formed, then I call upon you, in the name of justice, -to give that verdict which will best satisfy the laws of your country, -and tend to protect the lives of your fellow-creatures. Commiseration -(if I may use the term) towards a prisoner, I never should withhold; -and God forbid, Gentlemen, that you should not give to the man at the -bar the advantage of every, even the slightest, circumstance of doubt -which may arise in his favour. If these doubts also should predominate, -it will be your duty to acquit the prisoner; but if, on the other hand, -the facts which I have laid before you be substantiated, and you feel -in your consciences that the charge is made out, it will then become -your painful but bounden duty to convict him. Should these facts, I -say, for the last time, be brought home to the prisoner, it will then -be your duty, as men, as citizens, and as fathers—as men desirous of -maintaining the laws, and of acting under the solemn obligation of your -oaths, to pronounce him guilty.”</p> - -<p>The learned gentleman’s speech occupied the attention of the Jury for -nearly two hours.</p> - -<p>Before the first witness for the prosecution was put into the box, all -the prisoners named in the indictment were brought up, with the view, -we suppose, of having an opportunity of hearing the evidence, it being -principally the same which is to be adduced against most of them. They -entered the Court with much apparent indifference.</p> - -<p>Davidson and Ings were particularly remarked for the calm indifference -with which they surveyed the Bench and the spectators around them.</p> - -<p>During the examination of Adams, some of the prisoners whispered -together. Thistlewood throughout preserved the most perfect composure. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> - -<p>The first witness called was</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Robert Adams</span>, examined by the Solicitor-General.—I live at -No. 4, in Hole-in-the-Wall-passage, Brooks’-market. I am a shoemaker. -I was in the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards. It is 18 years last -Christmas since I left them. I knew Brunt at Cambray, in France, he -went then by the name of Thomas Morton, it is 18 years ago since I -first knew him. I know Thistlewood. I knew him first on the 16th of -January last. He then lived in Stanhope-street, Clare-market. I was -introduced to him by Brunt and Ings. I saw him at his own place. We had -some conversation together.</p> - -<p>Here Mr. Adolphus objected to the witness mentioning any thing of the -conversation which passed on that occasion. The crime against the -prisoner was charged in the reign of his present Majesty, and against -his crown and dignity, and no act of the prisoners in the late reign -ought to be adduced.</p> - -<p>Lord Chief-Justice Abbot said, the Court might hear of the commencement -of the transaction, as connected with what had occurred in the present -reign.</p> - -<p>The examination of the witness was continued.</p> - -<p>When I went in, Brunt said to Thistlewood, This is the man I was -speaking to you about. Thistlewood said, “You were once in the -Life-Guards?” I said, “No, I was not, I originally belonged to the -Blues.” Thistlewood said, “You are a good swordsman?” I said, “I could -use a sword to defend myself; but I could not use it very expert, as -I had not used any arms for a long time.” Thistlewood said, there was -no one who was worth 10<i>l.</i> who was worth any thing for the good of -his country. As to the shopkeepers of London, they were all a set of -aristocrats together, and were all working under the same system<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> of -government. He should glory to see the day that all the shops were -shut up, and well plundered. He then alluded to Mr. Hunt, and said, -he (Hunt) was a d——d coward, and were he (Thistlewood) to go to -Whitehall, he was sure he would find his (Hunt’s) name there, as a spy -to government. He then turned the conversation to Cobbett, and said, he -was equally the same as Hunt, and for all his writings, he had no doubt -he was also a spy. This ended the conversation then. I was afterwards -confined for debt in Whitecross-street Prison. The next interview I -had with Thistlewood was on the 16th, at the White Hart public-house. -It was in a room in the back yard. Thistlewood was present, and Ings, -Brunt, and Hall, and before they broke up, Tidd. On the 17th I went to -prison, and remained fourteen days there. I came out on Sunday, the day -after the death of the King. I saw Thistlewood on the Monday evening -following. I saw him in the same floor in the house where Brunt lived, -in a back room. This was in Fox-court, Gray’s Inn-lane. There were -Brunt, Ings, Hall, and Davidson, present. There was nothing particular -took place that night. To the best of my recollection, I met them next -on the Wednesday, (by them he meant Thistlewood, Brunt, Davidson, -Harrison, and Ings,) I had a conversation—</p> - -<p>Mr. Curwood here objected to the witness speaking to what then -occurred, as no over-act was set forth in the indictment on that day. -It merely referred to a meeting on the 16th, and at divers other times.</p> - -<p>Lord Chief-Justice Abbott observed, that the present mode was the -invariable form of such indictments, and no objection was ever made -to it. If all the particulars of overt-acts were set forth, it would -occasion a great prolixity.—The objection was over-ruled.</p> - -<p>Witness continued—I went into the room and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> saw a number of pike -staves, and Thistlewood wanted to have them ferruled. Thistlewood -then asked why Bradburn (the prisoner) was not present, and he added -that Bradburn was intrusted with money to purchase ferrules, and was -not satisfied lest he should not buy them. The staves were green, and -seemed as if they had just come from the country. Thistlewood said he -would not give a damn for a man who would spend the money in such a -way. I do not recollect any thing further then. The meetings were held -twice a-day from thence to the 23d of February. The room was hired -by Brunt for Ings; Brunt said so. I remember one circumstance that -occurred: one evening, about ten days before the Cato-street business, -I went in and saw Harrison, Thistlewood, and Brunt. Harrison said, he -had been speaking to one of the horse-guards, and he told him, that -the whole of them would be down at Windsor at the King’s funeral; and -Harrison said, this would be a good opportunity to do something that -night (the night of the funeral.) Thistlewood said it was a good place, -and added, that if they could get the two pieces of cannon in Gray’s -Inn-lane, and the six pieces in the Artillery-ground, they could so -help themselves as to have possession of London before morning; and he -said, that when the news should reach Windsor, the soldiers would be -so tired as not to be able, when they came back to London, to do any -thing; but that by activity some might go to Hyde-park, and prevent -any person or messenger from going to Windsor. He also said, that -they should go over the water and take the telegraph, to prevent any -communication with Woolwich.</p> - -<p>He then said that they should form a Provisional Government, and -send to the sea-ports, to prevent any gentlemen from leaving England -without passports. He particularly mentioned to send to Dover, -Brighton, Margate, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>Ramsgate, and he most particularly mentioned -Brighton—not that he thought the new King would be there, or at the -funeral. He said the present family had inherited the throne long -enough, and it was no use for the present King to think of being -crowned. Brunt and Ings came in after this, and Thistlewood mentioned -to them what passed; but they said that nothing would satisfy them but -their plan of assassination. They had talked at a former meeting of -this plan of assassination. Two or three of them had drawn out a plan -of assassinating his Majesty’s Ministers at the first public dinner -they had. They talked of assassination at every one of their meetings. -I could not say there were pikes in the room before this. I met them on -Saturday, the 19th of February, at eleven or twelve in the forenoon. -I saw Thistlewood, Davidson, Brunt, Harrison, Ings, and Hall. They -were all set round the fire, and seemed in a conversation betwixt -themselves. They all got up and turned round, and said, “It is agreed, -if nothing turns out before next Wednesday night, next Wednesday we -will go to work.” It was said they were all sworn that they would not -wait any longer.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood proposed they should meet the following morning at nine, to -draw out a plan to go by. Thistlewood said to Brunt, “You had better -go round this afternoon and mention it, in order to have the committee -to-morrow.” Brunt said, he did not think he should be able to go, as he -had some work to do, but he would go on the next morning, and perhaps -he might see some of them: it was not necessary to bring a great many. -Brunt appeared to be leaving the room then, and Thistlewood called -to him, and said—“O, Brunt, it will be highly necessary for those -that come to-morrow morning to bring fire-arms with them, in case any -officers should come up.” On which Brunt said, “D—n my eyes, if any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> -officer should come in here, the time is so near now, I would run him -through the body. I would murder him here sooner than we should be -discovered.”</p> - -<p>On the next morning I went there about eleven o’clock. It was a little -dark in my eyes when I went in after the snow. There were Thistlewood, -Brunt, Harrison, Cooke, Bradburn, Tidd, Edwards, and Wilson, myself, -and another. William Cooke, on looking round the room, said, “There -are twelve in the room, and I think it enough to form a committee.” -Thistlewood proposed that Tidd should take the chair. Tidd took the -chair, and sat with a pike in his hand. Thistlewood was on his right -and Brunt on his left. Thistlewood said, “Gentlemen, you all know -what we are met for;” and then he turned to the door, as if unwilling -to mention it, and said, “the west-end job.” Brunt then said, “D—n -my eyes, name it.” On which Thistlewood again said, “Gentlemen, we -are come to the determination to do this job, that we were talking -about so long, and as we find there is no probability of meeting them -(Ministers) altogether, we shall, if no opportunity of doing them -altogether occurs, take them separately, at their own houses, and do -as many as we can. If we can only get three or four at a time we must -do them.” He also said, “I suppose we can take forty or fifty men to -do this west-end job; and I propose to take the two pieces of cannon -in Gray’s Inn-lane, and the six pieces in the Artillery-ground.” He -proposed Cooke to lead this party, and he himself would command. He -said they should take the Mansion-house as the seat of the Provisional -Government.</p> - -<p>They were next to take the Bank of England; and Palin should be the -man who should set fire to the barracks, and several parts of London.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> -This was the principal part of the plan, but if any thing else occurred -before Wednesday, they would think of it. Brunt was then going to -put a proposition which he had for assassinating the Ministers, but -Thistlewood said, his plan should be first put from the chair, as they -were nearly all agreed on it. He desired the chairman to ask if any of -them had any thing to say, and that they should say it; but none of -them saying any thing, the plan was carried unanimously. Brunt then -came forward with his plan, which was, that they should assassinate -as many of his Majesty’s Ministers as possible; that they should draw -lots to assassinate some of the Ministers; and whoever the fellow was -on whom the lot fell, he should murder the Minister, or be murdered -himself; and that if any man failed in the attempt, he (Brunt) swore by -all that was good, he should be run through the body. On which I got -up, and said, “Mr. Brunt, do you not think it possible for a man to -attempt such a thing, and not succeed in it; and do you mean to say he -should be run through the body for not doing it?” To which he said, “I -do not: if a man should attempt it and not succeed, he is a good man; -but if he shews any cowardice, he deserves to be run through the body.” -This proposition of Brunt’s was then put to the meeting.</p> - -<p>Soon after this, Palin, Potter, and Strange, came in. They were -welcomed, and were desired to sit near the fire, as they were wet. -Palin said, “There is one thing I want to know; if it can be done, it -will be a great assistance to our plan. I want to know what men are to -perform each part of the plan, and who are to take the cannon. I want -to know, in calling upon the men, whether I can tell them in part or -whole what is to be done.” The chairman said, “I don’t see where the -harm is of telling what is to be done.” Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> Palin, seeing that he had -that liberty, sat down quite satisfied. Nothing regular was transacted -in the chair after that. Mr. Thistlewood said, “O, Brunt, that is well -thought of, as Palin is here: you and Palin go, and see if the house -near Furnival’s Inn is fit for setting fire to.” They went (Palin and -Brunt), and reported it would make a d——d good fire. Thistlewood -talked of getting means for a treat on Tuesday and Wednesday. Brunt -said, he would be d——d, but he would contribute the only 1<i>l.</i> note -he had earned for a long time. They proposed the White-Hart for the -house. Thistlewood proposed his own room; but afterwards thought it -would not do, as it might lead to suspicion. This was all on the Sunday -morning. On Monday morning they met again. Witness then told them -what Hobbes told him on Sunday night, of inquiries made respecting -radical meetings at his house, and that information of it was given at -Bow-street office, and at Lord Sidmouth’s office. Harrison turned round -on witness like a lion, and said “Adams, you have acted d——d wrong.” -Brunt said so too, and added, “Whatever you have to communicate, you -have no business to communicate but to me and to Thistlewood.” Witness -said, it concerned all, and he should tell all of it. They repeated the -same observations. They talked of calling a meeting of the Mary-le-bone -Union, as they wanted some money; and Brunt said, it would be of use -for that purpose.</p> - -<p>Witness and Potter went in the evening to the White-Hart; Palin and -Bradburn joined them. Next morning they were there too, and with them -Thistlewood, Tidd, Ings, Harrison, and Brunt. Edwards came, and told -them there was to be a cabinet dinner next night. Thistlewood said, -he did not think it was true. A newspaper was sent for, and read -by Thistlewood. He read that they were to dine at Lord Harrowby’s, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>Grosvenor-square. Brunt then said, “I’ll be d——d if I don’t believe -there is a God. I have often prayed that he would bring all these -thieves together, in order to destroy them. He has answered my prayer.” -Thistlewood proposed, that they should form a committee and sit -immediately. Witness took the chair.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood proposed immediately a fresh plan to be formed respecting -the assassination. Witness expressed a hope they had paid due -consideration to what he said yesterday. All got into confusion. -Harrison said, “D—n that man who attempted to throw cold water on the -plan, but he would run him through with the sword.” Witness left the -chair, and Tidd took it. Brunt moved that a watch should be set on the -Earl of Harrowby’s house that night. The object was to see if any men -or soldiers went into Earl Harrowby’s. Two were to go at six, to be -relieved at nine, and they were to continue till twelve. The watch was -to be resumed at four next morning.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood said he hoped they would be satisfied that no officers or -soldiers went in. They would do what they had determined to-morrow -evening; and added, that it would answer their purpose much better than -to attack their houses separately, when only two or three could be got -together. Here they would have fourteen or sixteen; a rare haul to -murder them all. “I propose,” continued he, “when the door is opened, -to rush in, seize the servants, present pistols, and threaten to kill -them if they make any noise; two to take the entrance to the stair -upwards, and two others to the stair to the lower part of the house, -armed with blunderbusses and hand-grenades; and if any attempt to pass, -to throw hand-grenades and destroy them all. Others are to go where the -ministers are to murder them all. If there shall be any good men, kill -them for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> keeping bad company.” All agreed. Ings said, he would go in -first, with a brace of pistols and knives. The two swordsmen would cut -off all their heads; and Castlereagh’s and Sidmouth’s should be flung -in a bag by themselves. He added, “I shall say, my Lords, I have got -as good men here as the Manchester yeomanry; enter citizens, and do -your duty.” Harrison and witness were to be the swordsmen. After the -execution of Lord Harrowby, at his house, Harrison proposed that some -should go to King-street horse-barracks, and set fire to the premises -by throwing fire into the straw in the stable.</p> - -<p>Harrison and Wilson were to go to Gray’s Inn-lane, and, in case they -could not carry the cannon out of the military-school, they were to -wait till a party came to assist them. Thence they were to proceed to -the artillery barracks, to assist Cooke in taking the cannon there. If -they found their strength sufficient to proceed, they were to advance -to the Mansion-house, and plant three of the cannon on each side of the -Mansion-house, and to demand the Mansion-house. If it were refused, -they were to fire, and then it would be given up. The Mansion-house was -to be made the seat for the Provisional Government.</p> - -<p>The Bank of England was next to be taken. They would take the books, -which would enable them to see further into the villany of the -government. The further parts of the plan were delayed till Wednesday. -They agreed upon a sign and countersign. The word was “Button;” the man -who came up was to say B-u-t; and the other was to reply t-o-n.—Being -asked as to the watch, witness said, There are other things which I -wish to state. I went there next morning, and found Edwards, Ings, and -Hall, making fusees for the hand-grenades. Davidson went on the watch -at six. Witness and Brunt went to relieve the watch. They saw Davidson -in the square, on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> watch. They went into a public-house, where -Brunt played at dominos with a young man.</p> - -<p>About eleven they went out into the square, and walked for some time, -till witness got ashamed of himself. They went away at twelve o’clock. -He went next day to Fox-court, between two and three. He found Brunt -there. Strange came in, and in a few minutes afterwards two more -strangers. Strange and another were trying the flints. They went into -a back room to avoid the strangers, where witness saw cutlasses, -blunderbusses, &c. Thistlewood, Ings, and Hall came in. Thistlewood -said, “Well, my lads, this looks like something to be done.” He touched -witness on the shoulder, and asked how he was. Witness replied that -he was very unwell, and in low spirits. Thistlewood sent for beer and -gin. Thistlewood then wanted some paper to write bills on. Witness -said, cartridge paper would do. The paper was brought; and table and -chair were got. The bills were then written; they were to be set on the -houses, to let the people know what had been done. Thistlewood read as -part, “Your tyrants are destroyed—the friends of liberty are called -upon to come forward—the Provisional Government is now sitting. James -Ings, Secretary. February 28.” Thistlewood was much agitated, and could -write only three. Another bill was written, which was an address to -the soldiers. Another person was employed to write it, and Thistlewood -dictated to him.—Witness said he would tell what he had seen.</p> - -<p>Mr. Adolphus objected to this, and contended, that the writing alone -was evidence.</p> - -<p>Witness could not say what became of the papers, and he had not seen -them since.</p> - -<p>Mr. Solicitor-General now stated, that notice had been given to produce -the writings.</p> - -<p>Witness said that this second kind of bill was not finished,—they -could not agree as to the terms. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mr. Adolphus renewed his objection to the question what Thistlewood -dictated to be written.</p> - -<p>Lord Chief-Justice Abbot.—In whose hands had you last seen the paper?</p> - -<p>Witness did not know him.</p> - -<p>His Lordship said, some doubts were entertained by some part of the -Court.</p> - -<p>Mr. Solicitor-General said, he would not press it.</p> - -<p>Witness went on.—Ings had two black belts on, one for two pistols, the -other for cutlasses. He had two bags on his shoulders, like soldiers -haversacks. He looked at himself and said, he was not complete yet, -he had forgot his steel. He took out a large knife, and brandished -it about, and said, it would cut off the heads of Castlereagh and -Sidmouth, and it would be thought a great deal of at some future time. -The knife was a large broad knife, twelve inches long, the hand bound -round with wax to keep a firm hold of it. Others were busy at other -arms. They began to leave the room about half-past four or five, to go -about the business.</p> - -<p>Palin came in half an hour before. Palin said they ought to be aware -of what they were about, and to think within themselves whether they -were to do their country service or not, and whether the assassination -would be countenanced by their country. If they thought their country -would join them, then the man who flinched should be run through on the -spot. Unless they came to this determination they would do no good. -A tall man came in, and asked what the business they were about was. -Witness had never seen him before. The tall man said, if they were -to serve their country, he was their man, and if any one was afraid -of his life, he ought to have nothing to do with such a concern as -that. Thistlewood was then gone. Brunt was told, that inquiries were -made by some who were present, as to the plan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> they were about, Brunt -said, that was not the room for telling that; but they should go -with him, and they would know. Brunt promised spirits; and the tall -man cautioned against drunkenness, as ruinous to a cause like that. -They went along the street, two and two, and at some distance, that -they might not be observed. There was a cupboard in the room used for -swords, hand-grenades, and flannel bags for cartridges, one of which -was full. The rest of the arms were in Tidd’s room; that was the depôt. -Thistlewood was always in a hurry to carry every thing that was got -ready into the depôt, lest any officer should see it. Witness carried -a brass-barrelled blunderbuss. There were pikes made of old files. -Witness as he went on missed all his associates. He returned back, and -met Brunt, who returned back with him along the Edgeware-road, till -they met Thistlewood.</p> - -<p>They went altogether to the stable in Cato-street. Witness stayed -behind till Harrison came up, and made him go in. He saw there, -Davidson and Wilson below, Thistlewood, Ings, Hall, Bradburn, Strange, -Cooper, the tall man, and others above. There were, as Thistlewood -calculated, at last, eighteen above and two below. There was a bench -above and arms on it. Some beer was standing on the table. There -were lights. There was a chest. Before Tidd came, Thistlewood went -out for some time. Witness heard a deal of talk below, and he found -Thistlewood, Brunt, Harrison, Davidson, and Wilson. They spoke of -the good news, they heard that the carriages were arriving at Lord -Harrowby’s as fast as they could. Witness went up to the loft, and saw -Thistlewood and Brunt much agitated. They spoke of Tidd’s absence. -Brunt pledged his word that he would come. He soon afterwards came. -Thistlewood said, “I hope you will not give up what you are going to -do; if you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> do, this will be another Despard’s business.” He then -counted twenty persons, and said that was enough, fourteen would be -sufficient to go into the room, and the other six would take care of -the servants and doors. They then set apart fourteen.</p> - -<p>The gin bottle was then started. Thistlewood said, if Lord Harrowby had -sixteen servants, that was nothing, as they would not be prepared. A -noise was heard below. Thistlewood took a candle and looked down to see -who they were, and then set down the candle quite confused, according -to witness’s judgment. Two officers took command of the room, holding -small pistols, and said, “A pretty nest there is of you. We have got -a warrant to apprehend you all, and hope you will go peaceably.” A -man who was on the step of the ladder said, “Let me come forward.” -This was the man murdered. A group of persons had got into the little -room, and then came forward, and one of them stretched forward an arm, -witness saw nothing in it, and another presented a pistol. The man -fell. It was impossible for him to give a particular account of the -other transactions. He got away, went home, and was apprehended on the -Friday, and remained in custody since. He identified Davidson, Wilson, -Brunt, Ings, Cooper, Harrison, Tidd. There were two he did not know. -They were again called forward, but he said he could not swear to them. -He was sent forward near the dock: but he said he did not know them. -One of them, he said, he saw at the meeting.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.—He went not there to assassinate his -Majesty’s Ministers. His legs carried him there. His outward intent -to all appearance was for that; but his inward intent was against it. -He was kept to it, because Brunt said, whoever forsook them would be -marked. He became acquainted with Brunt in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> Cambray, in 1816. He had -been a soldier years before. He was a shoemaker. He had never been -treasurer to a benefit society. He carried with him 40<i>l.</i> He thought -the money his own. He had never been charged with stealing it. He -was introduced to Thistlewood by his friend Brunt, to assassinate -his Majesty’s Ministers. That was the first object. He first gave -information on the Saturday after. It was indeed from compunction. -“My motive was, gentlemen of the Jury, I do assure you, that I made a -vow to God that I should tell the whole truth. I did indeed regard it -with horror. I felt compunctious visitings before I was in custody. It -was not because I felt my neck in danger, or because I thought it was -better eighteen should be hanged than myself.” The greatest number he -ever saw present was fifteen men. The greatest sum he saw was sixpence. -There was no collection of halfpence and pence for the newspaper. -Tidd’s was the depôt. He saw no muster-roll, and no cannon-ball. The -cannon were to be charged with cartridges, and a large hammer was to -be bought to strike down the tops of the iron palisades, as it was -thought they would do more execution than balls. The newspaper was -“The New Times.” Witness did not know whether it was correct. He had -seen nothing of Edwards since. He was employed to carry a sword, as -being expert at it. He was not sufficiently near to have killed the man -in the loft with the sword. His hand was not extended. He could tell -nothing of the proceedings that followed. He went away, and did not -deliver himself up, because he saw no officer. He went home to abide -the event.</p> - -<p>Re-examined in chief.—He said, the British army were at Cambray when -he became acquainted with Brunt there.</p> - -<p>Another witness was then called, but the Court<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> and Jury were of -opinion, as it was half-past seven, that it was the best time for -adjourning. The Court was accordingly adjourned till nine o’clock on -Tuesday morning.</p> - -<p class="center">SECOND DAY.—<span class="smcap">Tuesday, April 18.</span></p> - -<p>The Court met this morning at nine o’clock, and the names of the Jury -having been called over, and Thistlewood and the other prisoners being -put to the bar, the evidence for the prosecution was continued.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Eleanor Walker</span> examined by Mr. Gurney.—I am servant to Henry -Rogers: he lives at No. 4, Fox-court, Gray’s-Inn-lane. We had a lodger -named Brunt. He occupied two rooms on the second floor. They were -front rooms. In January a lodger came, introduced by Brunt. This was -a month or five weeks before Brunt was taken up. He (Brunt) said the -lodger lately came from the country, and he wanted a room; and as we -had one to let, he wished him to have it. The room was unfurnished. He -paid three shillings a week for it. He (the lodger) said he might not -bring his goods in for a week or better. He never brought any in to my -knowledge. I do not think I should know him again. I do not remember -having heard him called by his name. The room he took was a two-pair -back room.</p> - -<p>This witness was not cross-examined.</p> - -<p>Re-called.—While this person occupied the room, I heard persons -frequently go up stairs.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Mary Rogers</span>, the aunt and mistress of the last witness, -examined by Mr. Gurney.—The room was let by my maid while I was out. -After the lodger had been in the house for a week, I said to Mr. Brunt, -“You have brought a lodger.” He said, “Yes, I have, and I hope he will -pay you. I know nothing of the man, but seeing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> him at a public-house, -and seeing him want a room.” He said he was a butcher out of work. He -paid me for four or five weeks. I cannot say whether he ever slept -there; he did not to my knowledge. I and my maid in the evening saw -three men coming up stairs. The one in the middle was a black man. The -light from my room was on their faces. At other times I heard persons -going up stairs, but took no particular notice.</p> - -<p>This witness was not cross-examined.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Joseph Hale</span>, a young lad, the apprentice of Brunt, examined -by Mr. Gurney.—I am apprentice to Brunt. I have served two years -and better of my apprenticeship. I lived with him in Fox-court. I -remember a person coming to lodge there in January. His name was Ings, -a butcher. Brunt and he looked at the room. Brunt said, “It will do; -go down and give them a shilling.” After that Ings used to come to the -room. The key was mostly left in the front room, and Ings used to come -there for it. Persons used sometimes to come to the room before my -master was taken up. This was every evening. I saw different persons. -They were Ings, Tidd, Thistlewood, Bradburn, Edwards, Hall, Potter, and -Strange. I remember a man named Adams: he came. Davidson, the black -man, came also. Others used to come, but I do not recollect them. They -used to stay nearly about two hours. There was no furniture in the -room that ever I saw. They used to take chairs in, out of the front -room. I did not hear any of their conversation. They used to call -Thistlewood sometimes T., his initial, and sometimes Arthur. I once saw -the door of Ings’s room open, and saw some long poles, like branches -of trees cut rough; I suppose about twenty of them. I sometimes heard -hammering and sawing in the room. My master was taken on Thursday, -the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> 24th of February. On the Sunday before that there was a meeting -in the room. There were more that morning than ever I had seen come -up before. All the persons whom I have named were there that morning. -After the meeting broke up I saw Strange in my master’s room. There -was no meeting on the Monday evening. There was no meeting on Tuesday. -On the Wednesday there were several persons going in and out. Some of -them came into the front room, where I worked. They got some pistols, -and were putting new flints in them. There were five or six pistols. -One of the men said there were people overlooking them from the next -house, and Brunt told them to go to the back room. Strange and a man -whom I did not know were the men who had the pistols. I cannot say how -many I saw go in and out. I saw Thistlewood that day. In the afternoon -he asked me for a sheet of writing-paper. I gave him one. He took it, I -believe, into the back room.</p> - -<p>My master after this came out of the back room, and desired me to get -six sheets of cartridge paper. He gave me sixpence. I bought the paper -and gave it to him, and he took it into the back room. This was about -four or five in the afternoon. I heard people going down stairs between -five and six. My master was in and out several times. He went away -finally about six. There was a man went with him. It was not one of -the men I used to see there. A table had been taken that day from my -mistress’s room to the back room. I wanted the table, and went for it. -I knocked at the door, and Potter opened it. There were four or five in -the room besides Potter. After my master was gone, I saw Tidd between -seven and eight. Mrs. Brunt called him, and he came into her room. She -showed him a pike-head and a sword. She asked him what she should do -with them. She then gave them to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> him, and he took them out of the room -into the back room. After this I heard some persons go down stairs. -Tidd left a message, that if any persons called they should be sent -to the White Hart. Some persons did call on my master, and I went to -show them to the White Hart. Potter came, and he went. He knew the way -himself. There were three came to whom I shewed the way.</p> - -<p>My master came home that night at about nine o’clock. I observed his -dress was dirty. He appeared confused. I heard him say to his wife, it -was all up, or words to that effect. He said that where he had been, -a great many officers had come in. He said he had saved his life, and -that was all. Just as he said this, another man came in. I do not know -that man. Brunt shook hands with him, and asked him if he knew who had -informed. The man said, no. The man then said, he had had a dreadful -blow on the side, which knocked him down. Brunt then said, “There is -something to be done yet.” After this Brunt and the other man went -away together. Mrs. Brunt and I after this went to Ings’s room. I saw -several rolls of brown paper with tar in them. I saw only one pole -remaining. I saw something rolled up, and tied round with strings. I -understood them to be hand-grenades. I saw an iron pot belonging to -Brunt. My master came in about eleven o’clock. He told me to get up -in the morning as soon as I could and clean his boots. They were very -dirty. He called me in the morning at half past six, and when I got up -he asked me if I knew the Borough. I told him yes. He then asked if -I knew Snow’s-fields. I said no. He then went into the back room and -put the things out of the cupboard into two baskets; one of which was -afterwards put into a blue apron belonging to Mrs. Brunt. This apron -had before this been as a curtain in Ings’s room. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> - -<p>My master told me that Potter lived in Snow’s fields. When we had the -baskets ready, two officers came in and took my master into custody. -I knew where Tidd lived. He lived in the Hole-in-the-Wall-passage, -Brooks’-market. Adams lived next door.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Adolphus.—My master is a journeyman shoemaker: -not a very poor man. Adams is also a shoemaker. Ings had the lodgings -five weeks. I believe they had meetings there every night. I thought -there were about twenty persons there on the Sunday. I know some of the -prisoners. Strange is a boot-seller—selling boots in a shop. Edwards -was an artist. Edwards was there very often: oftener than Adams—almost -every day. Hall was a journeyman tailor, I believe. I don’t know where -he lives. I cannot say how many persons were there at one time on -Wednesday. The baskets used by my master were rush baskets. As near as -I can guess there were about twenty poles. They were branches of trees -in a green raw state. I believe they kept a fire in Ings’s room. I do -not know whether the poles were cut up to light the fire or not.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Smart</span> examined by Mr. Littledale.—I am a watchman of -the parish of St. George, Hanover-square. I was on watch on the south -side of Grosvenor-square, on Tuesday the 22d of February. I went there -about eight o’clock. About half-past eight I saw four suspicious men -walking the square. I thought they were after no good; one of them was -a dark man, and the other a tall man. I watched them. They were looking -down the areas. Charles Bissix’s box is at the west side of the square.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.—It was not a very uncommon thing to see -suspicious men walking about.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Henry Gillan</span> examined by Mr. Bolland.—I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> am a servant to Mr. -Whittle, apothecary, at 15, Mount-street, Grosvenor-square. I sometimes -use the Rising-sun public-house. It is in Charles-street, which -runs into Grosvenor-square and Mount-street. I was there on Tuesday -the 22d of February. I saw that short man (pointing to the prisoner -Brunt) there. There was a tall man with him. They had some bread and -cheese and porter. There were dominos on the table, and the short man -challenged me to play with him. I played two games with him, and left -the house before ten, leaving them there.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Hector Morris</span> examined by the Attorney-General.—I am -a journeyman cutler to Mr. Underwood, in Drury-lane. I remember on -Christmas-eve a man brought a sword to my master’s shop. The man was -habited like a butcher. He drew the sword from under his smock-frock, -without a scabbard. He wished to have it ground sharp, particularly -at the point. He said to put the name of Inns on it; but I am hard of -hearing, and it might be Ings. He called for it in a few days. In about -a fortnight he brought another sword to have it sharpened in the same -way. It was much longer than the other. [Here the witness identified -the prisoner Ings as the man who brought the swords.] I should know the -swords again.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Edward Simpson</span> examined by the Attorney-General.—I am a -corporal major of the 2nd Regiment of Life-Guards. I know a person -named Harrison. He was in the Guards. (Here he identified Harrison.) -He was discharged in 1814. When I knew him, he was in King-street -barracks, Portman-square. He had an opportunity of knowing them. Part -of the barracks looked into Gloucester Mews. There was a loft with five -windows looking into it. There was hay and straw in that loft; the -windows had been stopped up since the Cato-street business. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.—I don’t know how many men are in -Knightsbridge barracks; they would hold about 300.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">James Adams</span> examined by the Attorney-General.—I am a -pawnbroker in Berwick-street. I know the prisoner Davidson from his -having pledged things at my shop. He came on the 23d of February, in -the morning, and took a brass-barrelled blunderbuss out of pledge.</p> - -<p>This witness was not cross-examined.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Hyden</span> examined by Mr. Gurney.—I am a cow-keeper. I was -formerly a member of a shoemakers’ club. I knew Wilson there. I saw -him a few days before the 23d of February; he met me in the street, -and made a proposition to me. He asked me if I would be one of a party -to destroy his Majesty’s Ministers; he said they were waiting for a -cabinet dinner, and that all things were ready. He told me they had -a sort of things which I never saw; they were called by the name of -hand-grenades,—and, he said, he depended on me to be one. He said -that Mr. Thistlewood would be glad to see me, if I would be one. He -said, the use to be made of the hand-grenades was to be put under the -table, at the cabinet dinner, with the fuse alight, and those who -escaped were to be destroyed by the sword or some other weapon. He -also said that fires were to be lighted, and the town to be kept in -confusion for several days, till the thing became general. He named -some houses. Lord Harrowby’s, Lord Castlereagh’s, Lord Wellington’s, -Lord Sidmouth’s, the Bishop of London’s, and several others which I -do not remember. I told him I would make one. This was, I believe, -four or five days before the Cato-street business. Before that I -went to Lord Harrowby’s. I do not remember the day. I followed his -Lordship in the park. I gave him a note. On Wednesday, the 23d, I saw -Wilson again. I believe it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> between four and five o’clock in the -afternoon. I met him in Manchester-street, Manchester-square. He said, -“Hyden, you are the very man I wanted to see.” I asked him what there -was going to be; and he said, there was to be a cabinet dinner at Lord -Harrowby’s, Grosvenor-square. He told me I was to go to the Horse and -Groom public-house, the corner of Cato-street. I was to go in there, -or otherwise I was to wait at the corner until I was <i>shoved</i> into a -stable close by. I asked him the hour, and he said about half past -five or a quarter before six. I then asked him how many there were -to be, and he said twenty or thirty. I asked him, was that all there -was going to be? and he said, there was to be another party in the -Borough, another in Gray’s Inn-lane, and another in Gee’s-court, or -in the city. He said, all Gee’s-court were in it; but they would not -act till after the English began, as they had so often deceived them -before. Gee’s-court is inhabited by Irish. It is at the St. Giles’s -end of Oxford-street. He also said there was a gentleman’s servant -supporting them with money; and, if they would act on the subject, he -would give them a great deal more. He asked me if I had a gun; and I -said yes, but it was only a <i>rubbishing</i> one. He then said they would -provide me with a gun, and something to work with. There were, he also -said, two pieces of cannon in Gray’s Inn-lane, which they could get by -breaking in a small door. He said there were four pieces of cannon in -the Artillery Ground, and they could be very easily taken, by killing -the sentinel. After they left Grosvenor-square, they were to meet near -the Mansion-house. I was told to come to my time, or the thing would be -done before I came.</p> - -<p>I went to John-street that evening; it was nearly seven o’clock. The -entrance to Cato-street is a little gateway from John-street. When I -got there I saw Wilson and Davidson; I had seen him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> (Davidson) before. -Davidson said I was come, and he asked me if I would go in. I said no, -as I was going somewhere else to look for some cream. He said if I -would go in, Mr. Thistlewood was there. I asked him what time I should -be there, and he said eight o’clock. If I were not there in time, he -said, I was to follow them down to Grosvenor-square, and, at the fourth -house from the corner, at the bottom of the square, I should find them.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Adolphus.—I am not certain whether the -first conversation I had with Wilson was before the Sunday, before -the Cato-street business. I am not quite certain. It was four -or five days before. I am not able to say what day I gave the -information to Lord Harrowby. It might be a day or two before I saw -Wilson in Manchester-street. The conversation with Wilson was in -Manchester-street; we were walking up and down the street.</p> - -<p>A note was here put into witness’s hand, which he said was the one -given by him to Lord Harrowby. It was in his own hand-writing.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined.—The reason why I gave the note to Lord Harrowby was, -because I could not see Lord Castlereagh.—I did not call at Lord -Castlereagh’s house, but I went three or four times near the house, -in order to see him. I did not see him, and then I gave the note to -Lord Harrowby. I am certain that in Wilson’s conversation with me, the -words, “His Majesty’s Ministers,” were used.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Earl</span> of <span class="smcap">Harrowby</span> examined from the bench by the -Attorney-General.—I reside in Grosvenor-square, on the south side, -near Charles-street, next door to the Archbishop of York’s. I am a -Privy-Councillor, and one of his Majesty s Ministers. I am President -of the Council, and one of the Cabinet. On the 23d of February last, -I intended giving a cabinet dinner; I think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> it was on Wednesday, the -23d. Only those who compose the Cabinet are invited to Cabinet dinners. -I believe the invitations went out the latter part of the week before, -but my head servant can speak to that more correctly. Invitations were -sent to the Lord Chancellor; to the Earl of Liverpool, the First Lord -of the Treasury; to Mr. Vansittart, the chancellor of the Exchequer; -to Earl Bathurst, the Secretary of State for the Colonial department; -to Lord Sidmouth, the Secretary of State for the Home Department; to -Lord Castlereagh, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; the Duke -of Wellington, Master General of the Ordnance; Mr. Canning, the First -Commissioner of the India Board; Mr. Robinson, President of the Board -of Trade; Mr. B. Bathurst, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; Mr. -Wellesley Pole, the Master of the Mint; and the Earl of Mulgrave; all -these are Privy-Councillors. They are employed in the different offices -I have mentioned, and also form what is called the Cabinet. In common -parlance they are called his Majesty’s Ministers. On the Tuesday before -the intended dinner, I was riding in the Park without a servant. It -was about two o’clock. I went to a Council at Carlton-House. I am not -positive as to the hour. As I came near Grosvenor-gate a person met me, -and asked me if I was Lord Harrowby. I said, yes. He said he wished to -give a note to Lord Castlereagh, which was of considerable importance -to him and to myself. He then gave me a letter. After some further -conversation, he gave me a card, with his address. I saw the man again -by appointment on Wednesday morning in the ring, among the young -plantations in Hyde-Park. The dinner did not take place at my house -on Wednesday. The preparations went on as if the parties were to dine -together, until I wrote a note from the Earl of Liverpool’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> to my head -servant, to say the Cabinet would not dine there. It would be seven, or -half past, at which the party would dine.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i166.jpg" alt="JOHN MONUMENT" /></div> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.—I had some general knowledge of -some conspiracy, or something of the kind, going on before this. I -do not know a person named Edwards. We had some general information -a considerable time before this, that some plan was in agitation, -but we did not know the time at which it was to take place, or the -particulars. I will not say to two months. It was some considerable -time before this.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Baker</span> examined by the Attorney-General.—I am butler to -Lord Harrowby. The cards of invitation were issued for the cabinet -dinner on the 18th, or 19th. It was about eight in the evening of the -23d when I first knew that the Cabinet were not to dine at my Lord -Harrowby’s. The preparations for it went on till then. The Archbishop -of York lives next door to my Lord Harrowby’s. I can’t say whether his -grace had company on the 23d of February. I noticed several carriages -draw up at his door.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Monument</span> examined by the Solicitor-General.—I am by -trade a shoemaker. I generally live near Brooks’-market, but I am now -a prisoner in the Tower. I know the prisoner Thistlewood. I met him at -the house of one Ford some weeks before the transactions of the 23d -of February. He afterwards called upon me at my lodgings. He was not -alone. Brunt was with him. He told me that he wanted to speak with me -in private. In consequence I went out of the room with him, my mother -and brother being at that time in the room with me. Brunt staid behind -when I went out. Thistlewood then said to me, “Great events are now -close at hand—the people are every where anxious for a change. He had -been promised support by a great many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> men, who had deceived him, but -he had now got men who would stand by him.”</p> - -<p>He then asked me if I had any arms. I said, “No, I had not.” He said, -that every man of them, that is, of those who were attached to him, -had arms, pikes, pistols, or sabres; and added, that I might buy a -pistol for four or five shillings. I said that I was too poor to buy -one. He replied, that if such were the case, he would see what could -be done for me. Brunt called upon me again in four or five days. He -said, that he could not stay long with me; there were several more men -of his trade waiting to see him on this business, and he must call on -them. I did not see him afterwards for some time. He called, however, -again upon me on the Tuesday previous to the 23d. I then told him -that I thought I had lost him, as he had staid away so very long. He -replied, that owing to the King’s death, an alteration had taken place -in their plans. I asked what those plans were. He said that I should -know them better at a meeting to be held the night afterwards, than -he could tell me. I asked him where the meeting was to be. He said at -Tyburn-turnpike. He did not tell me what was to be done there.</p> - -<p>I asked him if I was to see any persons there how I was to know them -as friends, and requested him to give me the word. Brunt then told -me, that if I saw any persons about, I was to say B-U-T; and if they -were friends, they would say T-O-N. He would, however, call on me the -following morning, and tell me more particulars.</p> - -<p>On the Wednesday afternoon, between four and five, he did call again: -he came by himself. He called me down stairs, and asked me if I was -ready to go. I said, “No, I have got some work to do, and it must be -done before I go.” He asked me how long it would be before it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> -finished. I said, that it would be done about six o’clock. He then -said, that he could not wait for me so long—that I must therefore come -to the place appointed along with the man to whom he had introduced -me; that man’s name was Tidd. He charged me not to be later than six -o’clock, as Tidd had others as well as myself, to take with him to the -place of meeting.</p> - -<p>I went to Tidd’s at half-past six, who complained that many men had -disappointed him. We waited till seven, but no person came. Tidd then -went into a corner of the room, took out a large pistol, and stuck it -in a belt, which he wore round his waist. He also took out four or five -pike-heads, which he wrapped up in brown paper. He took also several -shafts, four or five feet long. We then went out, along Holborn, and -up Oxford-street. I asked him, in his room, where we were going. He -said to a room in a mews in John-street, Edgware-road. When we got into -Holborn, he gave me the pike-shafts, and told me to take care of them. -I asked him again, as we were going along, where we were going; and -wanted to know whether it was to the House of Commons. He said, “No, -there were too many soldiers near there.” I again pressed him on the -subject, and he said that they were going to Grosvenor-square, as there -was a cabinet dinner there that evening. I did not ask him any more -questions; for on his saying that, I was satisfied for what purpose -they were going.</p> - -<p>We then went to Cato-street. Under the archway I saw two men, whom Tidd -appeared to know. He spoke to them; and, after a few moments we all -went into the stable together. There were in the loft and stable about -twenty-four or twenty-five persons. I had not been there long when some -one proposed to count the numbers assembled. Thistlewood replied, that -there was no occasion to do so, as he knew that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> there were about four -or five and twenty persons in the room. There was a person in a brown -great coat sitting on a carpenter’s bench, who spoke of the impropriety -of going with so small a number to Lord Harrowby’s. Thistlewood -replied, there were quite enough of them. He only wanted thirteen to go -into the room, and supposing Lord Harrowby to have sixteen servants, -that number would be quite enough to master them.</p> - -<p>The man in the brown coat said, “After we have done, there will be a -crowd about the door, how are we to make our escape?” Thistlewood said, -“You know the larger body is already gone to arrange matters; we, the -smaller, are left to do the business.” Davidson then blamed the tall -man in the brown great coat for throwing cold water on the plan, and -added, that if he was afraid, he might as well go away. Brunt said, -“Rather than give up the business, I will go to the house and blow -it up, though I perish myself in the ruins, for you know we have got -that which can easily do it.” The man in the great coat then said, as -they were all for it, he would not oppose it. He then proposed that -all in the room should put themselves under the orders of Thistlewood. -Upon which Thistlewood said, that all engaged in the business were -equal, and should have the same honour as himself, and proposed that -fourteen should volunteer to go into the room at Lord Harrowby’s. Those -that volunteered were to range themselves on the side in which the -fire-place stood. They did so in the course of a few minutes. Whether -they were exactly fourteen I don’t know.</p> - -<p>I heard nothing said of what the rest were to do. On somebody asking -that question, Thistlewood replied, that they all knew their places. -Thistlewood then went out for a few moments. On his return, he said -that he had received <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>intelligence that the Duke of Wellington and -Lord Sidmouth had arrived at Lord Harrowby’s. I was myself taken into -custody in the room.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. <span class="smcap">Adolphus</span>.—I never saw Thistlewood till -I saw him at Ford’s. I attended at the meeting in Finsbury-market. I -was so far off that I could not tell whether Thistlewood was there, nor -even the purpose of the meeting. There was no particular acquaintance -at that time between me and Thistlewood. I did not then know Brunt -or Edwards. There was a long interval between my first and second -conversation with Brunt. I thought that they had done with me, finding -me so reluctant to join in their measures. The man in the brown coat -was not Adams. I have seen Adams since, at Hicks’s Hall. The room -was much crowded—the parties in it were eating bread and cheese. I -do not know that I ever saw Adams before I saw him at Hicks’s Hall. -I recollect the prisoner Davidson from his colour. If any person had -addressed them besides the man in the brown coat, I must have heard -him. I was taken in the room when the soldiers came. I had no arms. I -made no resistance.</p> - -<p>Re-examined by the Solicitor-General.—I was nearly the last person who -entered the room. I was there nearly a quarter of an hour before the -officers came. I was unacquainted with every person in the room except -Thistlewood, Brunt, and Tidd. It was candlelight. On the bench were -swords, pistols, and blunderbusses. When I was brought up to Whitehall, -I was handcuffed to Thistlewood; who advised me, when I came before -the Privy-Council, to say that I had been brought to Cato-street by -Edwards. I asked him how I could tell such a falsehood, when I had -never seen such a man as Edwards in my life. He said that was of no -consequence. If asked what sort of a man he was, I was to say, he was a -little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> taller than myself, and dressed in a brown coat.</p> - -<p>By a Juryman.—I have had no communication with Adams since my -apprehension.</p> - -<p>By the Solicitor-General.—I never saw him except when I was brought up -as a witness to Hicks’s Hall.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Monument.</span>—I am brother to the last witness. I remember -Thistlewood calling upon my brother. He brought Brunt with him. They -did not stay in the room more than five or ten minutes. Thistlewood -then asked my brother if he might speak with him. On my brother’s -replying yes, they went out together for ten minutes. They then -returned; and Brunt and Thistlewood went away.</p> - -<p>On the Tuesday before the Cato-street business, Brunt called again on -my brother, with a man named Tidd. My brother said, “Brunt, I have not -seen you for so long a time, that I thought I had lost you.” Brunt -said, “The King’s death had made some alteration in our plans.” My -brother asked what those plans were. Brunt said, they had different -objects in view. Brunt asked my brother to meet him at Tyburn-turnpike -that evening, when an outline of their plan should be given to him. -Brunt said that he ought to be there at six o’clock: if he saw any -persons about, he should say, B-u-t, and if they were of their party -they would say, t-o-n. They did not press me to go, but spoke only to -my brother. I did not go. Brunt called at five the next evening for -my brother to go. He said, he could not go then, as we had work to -do. Brunt then bade my brother call on Tidd, at the Hole-in-the-wall -passage, at seven. He did so, as I was informed.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.—Not suspecting that any mischief was -going on, I was not anxious to know to what the conversation of my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> -brother and Brunt referred. I thought that it might perhaps relate to -some club-dinner.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Dwyer</span> examined by Mr. Gurney.—I live in Cheese-court, -Oxford-street. Some time in February I became acquainted with Davidson. -He introduced me to Thistlewood. We went together to a public-house -at the end of Molyneux-street, not far from Cato-street. This might -be about the 9th, 10th, or 11th of February. Thistlewood said nothing -particular to me at that time. He observed, that he had been in four or -five revolutions, and that Ireland was in a disturbed state. I am an -Irishman. Thistlewood said, that he had a good many of my countrymen -with him. He pressed me to go with him also.</p> - -<p>I saw Davidson on the night before the 23d. He told me that he was -going to stand sentry. The next morning I was called upon by a person, -who took me to Fox-court, Gray’s Inn-lane. He was a tall man, and his -name is Harrison. We went into a two-pair back room; the room door was -locked. He knocked at another door, and a woman gave him the key. He -opened the door, and we entered.</p> - -<p>There was a cupboard in the room, out of which was taken a ball, -wrapped up in yarn. Harrison told me the purpose for which it was -intended, and called it a grenade. Shortly afterwards Thistlewood, -Davidson, and a few more, came in. Davidson had a blunderbuss, a pair -of pistols, and a bayonet, in his side pocket. Others also came in, but -I did not know their names. [The witness was here told to look into the -dock, and see if he could identify any of the prisoners as being then -present. He instantly identified Brunt.] On Davidson’s saying that he -had only given twelve shillings for his pistols, Brunt said he would go -out and buy a pair.</p> - -<p>I had some conversation with Thistlewood about the hand-grenades. -Thistlewood said, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> some of them were to be thrown into the -horse-barracks, and others into Lord Harrowby’s house, to set fire to -it, and blow it up. Thistlewood asked me how many of my countrymen -I could muster, as he should want some of them at half-past eight -that evening. I told him that I could muster about twenty-six or -twenty-seven. He told me that they, meaning himself and friends, -were to assemble at the Horse and Groom; and ordered me to be at -the Pontefract Castle, at the end of Barret’s-court, a house much -frequented by Irishmen. He told me that I was to pick out the best of -my countrymen, and go to the Foundling Hospital, knock at the porter’s -lodge, put a pistol to his breast, and turn on to the right hand, as -there were twenty-five or twenty-six stand of arms in the other lodge: -these I was to seize. At the same time another party would secure -two pieces of cannon which were in the Light Horse Riding-School, -Gray’s Inn-lane. Another party was in the meantime to go to the -Artillery-ground, Finsbury, and seize what was there. He also mentioned -that there was to be a cabinet dinner at Lord Harrowby’s, and that the -party there were to be attacked.</p> - -<p>After this, I saw a bundle, containing gunpowder, taken out and laid -upon the floor; a tin measure was produced, and several smaller woollen -bags were filled with it. This was done by Harrison. I afterwards heard -Thistlewood give directions generally to them all. He said that a dozen -pike-handles were to be taken to Mary-le-bone, some others to Finsbury, -and some elsewhere. I was asked, but refused, to take some of them. I -saw a bag; and the powder which had been measured out, and also the -grenades, were put into it.</p> - -<p>I heard directions given to a man by Harrison, to take something to the -Horse and Groom, at the end of Cato-street. In the mean time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> another -person went out to get the pike-handles. I got back to my own place at -twelve o’clock. I told Major James of what I had seen and heard: in -consequence of what he said, I went to the Secretary of State about -one, or half-past one o’clock that day.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.—I am a bricklayer by trade. I never, -before the month of February, saw Davidson. Davidson introduced me -to Thistlewood on the ninth of that month. They did not know me, and -I did not know them, yet I was let into their secrets on the morning -of the 23d of February. I have lived fifteen years in the parish of -Mary-le-bone, with a good character, and yet all of a sudden a band of -traitors intrusted me with their traitorous designs. I told them that -it was a hard thing to inveigle men into a scheme like theirs, and -doubted whether I should be able to accomplish it. Though I expressed -this doubt, I was sent to the Foundling Hospital to take the arms. -I acceded to their proposal at the time, but had no intention of -executing it. I do not know a man of the name of Hugglestone. I never -was in a court before, except on the trial of a woman for stealing. I -was in Ireland at the time of the rebellion. I cannot tell how old I -was then.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">George Kaylock</span> examined by Mr. Littledale. I live at 22, -Cato-street. I saw Harrison and another against the stable-door in -Cato-street, at five o’clock on the 23d February. I asked Harrison how -he did. He replied, pretty well; he had taken two rooms there, and was -going to do them up. Between five and seven o’clock I saw more than -twenty people go in at the stable-door.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Richard Monday</span> examined by Mr. Littledale.—I live at 23, -Cato-street. About twenty minutes after four, on the 23d, as I was -coming from my work, I saw Davidson standing under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> the archway. I knew -Davidson, from seeing him with Firth, the cow-keeper. I went home and -got my tea. I came out again at twenty minutes past five, and went to -a public-house. On leaving it, I saw Davidson going into No. 1 for a -light. In going into the stable, into which Harrison admitted him, he -stooped for a bundle, and I then observed that he had two belts on, -one across his shoulder, and the other round his waist; in that round -his waist, on the left side, two pistols were inserted; on the other -a sword was suspended, which jutted out considerably. The place where -they met is a stable, belonging to General Watson; it has lately been -used as a cow-house by Firth. There is a chaise-house, and a stable -below, and a loft, with two rooms above. One of these rooms has a -window, the other is dark. I observed, in the course of the afternoon, -that something like a coarse matting was hung over the windows, and the -partition in the stable-yard.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Westall.</span>—I live at No. 1, Cato-street. About three -o’clock I saw a man go into the stable with a sack on his shoulder. -About six o’clock I went out, and saw a man of colour standing by the -stable. I was much alarmed by that circumstance, thinking that the -stable was unoccupied. I was out ten minutes. Shortly after I returned, -the man of colour came into my house, and asked me for a light. I gave -him a light. He then went back to the stable where I had seen him at -first.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">George Ruthven</span>, the police-officer, was then examined by Mr. -Bolland.</p> - -<p>I went, on the 23d of February, to Cato-street. Three others were to -meet me there. When we were all assembled we were about twelve of us. -I went into the stable, and saw a man with a sword by his side, and -a blunderbuss on his shoulder. I saw one man below, and I have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> some -faint recollection that I saw another. The whole of my party followed -me into the stable. On seeing the man with the blunderbuss on his -shoulder, I told some of the party to secure him. I went up a ladder, -which led to a loft.</p> - -<p>When I got there I saw several men; heard the clattering of arms, and -saw swords and pistols. Three or four of my party went up with me. I am -sure that Ellis and Smithers were with me. From the view which I had -of the place, I think there were 24 or 25 persons present. The size of -that room is 15 feet, five one way, and ten feet ten the other. There -are two rooms adjoining this, separated by doors. When I got into the -room, I said, “we are officers; seize their arms.” I saw in the room -Thistlewood, whom I have known for four or five years.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood was standing, at the time we entered, at the right hand -side of the table, near the door of the little room. On my saying, “We -are officers,” he seized a sword, which was drawn, and retreated to -the little room. The sword was a very long one, and rather bright. He -stood in the entry of the door fencing, to prevent any one’s approach. -Smithers approached him. Thistlewood stabbed him, and Smithers fell, -saying, “Oh, my God! I’m done,” or something to that effect. Somebody -from the corner of the room where Thistlewood stood said, “Put out the -lights—kill the b——rs, and throw them down stairs.” The lights were -then put out; I joined in their cry of “kill them,” and rushed down -stairs.</p> - -<p>I did not observe any thing till I got into John-street, where I met -the soldiers, whom I brought. Several shots were fired from the corner -of the room where Thistlewood was standing; I think down the stairs. -On arriving a second time at the stable, I met Tidd grappling with one -of the military. I secured him. I was afterwards in the public-house, -(Horse and Groom) and saw <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>Bradburn brought in. On him were found six -ball-cartridges and three balls. Davidson and Wilson were brought in. -Davidson sang a song. I then went back to the loft, and found there, -Shaw Strange, Cooper, Monument, and Bradburn. I saw arms in the hands -of several persons. I found two swords and a bag. The bag contained -ten hand-grenades. I also found balls and fusees. They were brought to -Bow-street, and remained since in possession of an officer. Afterwards -I went to the Horse and Groom. I had seen Cooper there, with a stick, -and Gilchrist came back for it, but did not get it. I observed it cut.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Adolphus.—Thistlewood had not been much out of -sight since Watson’s trial. Witness had seen him five or six times. He -had a motive for it. It was not for this purpose, that he was aware -of. There were four or five Edwardses, officers with him, but he was -not aware that Edwards, who had been concerned in this business, was -connected with any of them. He knew nothing further, than that he was -directed to watch Thistlewood.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">James Ellis</span>, by the Attorney-General.—Went with the other -officers to Cato-street on the 23d of February; he went in immediately -after Ruthven. He saw two men, one having on two cross-belts; either -in his right or left holding a carbine, in the other a sword. Witness -observed, that he was a man of colour. The other person was between -the foot of the ladder and the stall next to it, for there were three. -He followed Ruthven up as close as he could. The man of colour said -something ending with “men.” He heard the men above rushing back behind -the carpenter’s table, and a noise like fencing with swords. There -might be twenty or twenty-five men. Ruthven said, “We are officers, -seize their arms, or surrender your arms.”</p> - -<p>Witness had not known Thistlewood before,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> but he was satisfied it was -he who menaced with the sword. Witness had before held forward his -staff of office; he now presented a pistol, and desired him to desist, -or he would fire. Smithers then gained the top of the ladder, and -advanced towards the little room. Thistlewood struck him with the sword -near the breast. Smithers fell back, held up his hands, and exclaimed, -“O, God!” Witness fired on Thistlewood, and Smithers staggered towards -him. The candles were put out, and the witness was forced down. He -stood at the door to the street. Several shots were fired: some balls -passed him. On going out he heard a cry. Saw a man running towards -Queen-street, with belts on. He secured him. It was Davidson, the man -of colour. He had a carbine in the one hand, and a sword in the other. -He afterwards assisted in securing four, to whom he could not speak -positively.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.—He was a constable, and had the -warrant. He had a part in conducting the officers; but Mr. Ruthven was -there.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">William Westcott</span> had part in conducting the patrol at -Bow-street, and was a constable. He was down in the stable the whole -time, and heard firing on the loft. He saw Ings in the stable, who -wanted to rush out, while the other officers were up. Witness and -Ings had a contest. There was terrible confusion in the loft; some -came tumbling down, and some singly. He knew Thistlewood. There was a -light. Thistlewood fired at witness. Three holes were in his hat by -balls. Witness rushed towards Thistlewood, when he was struck down. -Thistlewood then made a cut at him with a sword, and ran out. Witness -was wounded in the back of his hand with one of the balls, as he had -held up his hand to protect his head.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Hugh Nixon</span>, one of the Bow-street officers,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> saw Ruthven, -Ellis, and the deceased go up the ladder. He went up, and saw Ellis -fire. There was a rush down, and he saw a man fire a pistol; he rather -believed it was Thistlewood. Ings was pursued and brought back. Witness -found a sword in the stable, and a bayonet up stairs.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Wright</span>, a patrol of Bow-street, was one of the officers -who went to Cato-street. They mustered at the Horse and Groom. He saw -Cooper having a broom-stick, and another coming to drink beer. Cooper -left the stick. Witness took a sword and a knife from a man who was in -the stable, near a stall. That moment he was knocked down, and received -a stab in his side. Wilson and Bradburn were afterwards taken. Witness -found about two dozen ball-cartridges in Wilson’s pocket, and a pair of -scissors; and found two haversacks on his sides.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">William Charles Brookes</span>, a patrol, being directed by Mr. -Birnie towards persons passing, saw Ings, and a person in front of him -with a cutlass, and spoke to them. Ings fired, and slightly wounded him -on the shoulder. Witness staggered into the road. Ings went off towards -the Edgware-road. Witness pursued. Ings threw away the pistol. Moy took -him. Witness asked him why he had fired at him, a man whom he had never -seen. He said, “I wish I had killed you.”</p> - -<p>Ings.—“Pray, my Lord, am I not allowed to ask any question?”</p> - -<p>Court.—“You are not on your trial at present.”</p> - -<p>Witness stated, that two haversacks, a knife-case, and a tin box, three -parts full of powder, were found on Ings.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Giles Moy</span> confirmed this evidence, so far as he was concerned.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Robert Chapman</span>, one of the Bow-street officers, went to -Cato-street; saw Ings in the stable, and heard him say, “Look out, -above.” Witness,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> in the watch-house, took from Ings a knife-case, two -balls, and a pistol-key. He saw one running through the stable with a -sword in his hand.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Captain Fitzclarence</span> appeared on the right of the bench, -and said, he was a lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards; he went with -a piquet to John-street on the 23d of February, about eight in the -evening. On hearing reports of pistols, they went to Cato-street. He -was directed by a police-officer to the stable. He met two men at -the door: the man on his right cut at him with a sword, the other -man presented a pistol. He got in and seized a man, who called out, -“Don’t kill me, and I will tell you all.” He gave him in charge, and -then secured another man in one of the stalls. On going up stairs, he -secured three, four, or five persons. He fell against the body of poor -Smithers, who was lying dead. He saw several arms.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Samuel Taunton</span>, a Bow-street officer, went to Brunt’s -lodgings, searched the front and back rooms, and found two baskets. -Brunt, who was in the front room, and had been previously taken into -custody, said, he knew nothing of the baskets. The room did not belong -to him in which they were; it was the back room. In the same room there -was a pike-staff and an iron pot. Witness sent for the landlady, Mrs. -Rogers. She said, her niece had let the back-room to a man she did not -know. Brunt, said, it was a man at the public-house, and he did not -know his name.</p> - -<p>Witness then went to Tidd’s, in the Hole-in-the-Wall passage, near -Gray’s Inn-lane. There he found a box full of ball-cartridges, 965 -in number; he found ten grenades, and a great quantity of gunpowder. -He found, in haversacks, 434 balls. He found also sixty-nine -ball-cartridges, and about eleven bags of gunpowder, one pound each. -The grenades were in a wrapper. In one of the baskets at Brunt’s were -nine papers of rope-yarn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> and tar; in the other, three of the same, two -flannel bags of powder, one pound each, and five empty bags, a paper of -powder, one leathern bag, with three balls in it. They were all here.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Adolphus.—This was on the 24th. Brunt had been -in custody before. Tidd was absent.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Daniel Bishop</span>, a Bow-street officer, went on the morning -of the 24th, with other officers, to apprehend Thistlewood, about -ten in the morning, to Whitecross-street, Moorfields. The house was -kept by Harris. He received a key from Mrs. Harris, which opened a -ground-floor. There he saw Thistlewood, who thrust his head from under -the clothes in bed; the shutters were shut. Witness told his name -and business, and, having a sword in one hand, and a staff in the -other, threw himself on the bed. Thistlewood said, he would make no -resistance. He had his breeches on, in the pockets of which they found -two balls, two cartridges, and some flints. They also found a small -silk sash.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined.—A man of the name of Edwards did not go, nor any who -knew where Thistlewood was.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Lavender</span> produced and identified the belt found in -Thistlewood’s coat-pocket.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruthven</span> produced the pike-staff, grenades, <i>&c</i>.</p> - -<p>All the soldiers and officers who had any of the articles seized were -now arranged behind the witness-box, and handed to Ruthven their -several charges, and Ruthven laid them on the table. A pike was -screwed on a staff, and handed to the Jury. The whole of the frightful -apparatus was now exposed to view. Guns, blunderbusses, carbines, -swords, pistols, pikes, sticks, cartridges, bullets; even the pot in -which the tar was boiled,—all were produced and identified.</p> - -<p>The fire-arms remained loaded till produced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> on this occasion, when the -charges were drawn; they were loaded with ball. One of the grenades had -been given to a person by an order of Colonel Congreve to be examined. -The production of Ings’s knife excited an involuntary shudder; it was a -broad desperate-looking weapon.</p> - -<p>The Jury inspected the arms separately, and particularly the pikes, -the construction and formation of which have already been minutely -described. The whole had a most formidable appearance.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Hector Morrison</span>, servant to Mr. Underwood, cutler, in -Drury-lane, was re-called, and looked at two swords, which, he said, -were the same he had ground for Ings.</p> - -<p>Serjeant <span class="smcap">Edward Hanson</span>, of the Royal Artillery, examined -by Mr. Gurney.—I examined one of the grenades produced to me at -Bow-street; it is composed of a tin case, in the form of a barrel, in -which a tube is soldered. The case contains three ounces and a half -of gunpowder. The priming in the tube is a composition of saltpetre, -powder, and brimstone. The tin was pitched, and wrapped round with -rope-yarn, which was cemented with rosin and tar. Round the tin, and in -the rope-yarn, twelve pieces of iron were planted. From the lighting -of the fusee to the explosion might take about half a minute. If one -of them were to be exploded in a room where there were a number of -persons, it would produce great destruction. The pieces of iron would -fly about like bullets.</p> - -<p>[The witness here opened another of the grenades for the satisfaction -of the Jury; it was composed in the manner already described. The -pieces of iron principally consisted of old cart-nails, such as the -tires of wheels are nailed on with. The carcase, or tin-case, was -wrapped in an old stocking, and the powder which it contained was -pronounced very good.] </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> - -<p>Witness, in continuation.—I examined one of the fire-balls; it -consisted of oakum, tar, rosin, and stone-brimstone, pounded. If one of -these was thrown into a house, and alighted on wood, it would be sure -to set it on fire. The effect would be still more certain on straw or -hay.</p> - -<p>The Attorney-General.—“That is the case, my Lord, on the part of the -Crown.”</p> - -<p class="center">THE DEFENCE.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Curwood</span> now rose to address the Jury on the part of the -prisoner. He commenced by stating, “That if it were consistent with a -sense of moral and professional duty, he would not have stood there -to address them. It was one of the characteristics of the profession -to which he had the honour to belong, however, and one which perhaps -reflected upon it the greatest credit, that they were not at liberty to -refuse their assistance to persons in the situation of the unfortunate -man at the bar. No man could feel more impressed than himself with the -sense of the great and weighty duty he had to perform. He felt that the -unhappy prisoner had a right to call upon him to do his duty boldly and -fearlessly, and without any consideration for the Government who were -the prosecutors on this occasion; he felt also that he had a duty to -perform to his country, by assisting in the administration of the law, -and not by any power which he possessed, if he did possess such power, -to endeavour to pervert that law. He owed something too, to his own -fair fame, which was all, his only inheritance.</p> - -<p>“With these feelings pressing upon him, he might truly say, he was -placed in a trying and critical situation. It was fit on an occasion of -this sort, that they should know something of the man by whom they were -addressed. It could not be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> denied that the unfortunate transactions, -to which their attention had been so painfully directed, had arisen -out of that state of the country which they must all alike lament and -deplore. It was clear also, that while they had attachments to certain -parties, prejudices would arise which it was out of their power to -control in favour of the sentiments of those parties. With respect to -himself, although like every other Englishman, he had his feelings upon -certain points, yet he never belonged to any particular party, nor -was he in the habit of attending political meetings. With respect to -Government, he never had received any place or appointment from them, -nor was it likely that he should. In the present instance, therefore, -he had no motive to influence him in doing his duty, or at least in -endeavouring to do it fairly and honestly.</p> - -<p>“It was due to his Learned Friends and to himself to state, that in -consequence of the lateness of the moment in which they were called -upon to undertake this arduous task, not having received their -instructions till a late hour on Thursday, that the difficulties with -which they had to cope were of no ordinary kind; and these difficulties -became the more formidable, when it was recollected that they had -arrayed against them the most distinguished talents which it was in -the power of the Crown to procure—talents not a little aided by the -advantage of study, and of a mature consideration of all the facts -of the case which they were called upon to discuss. No doubt, in the -notice which they (the Jury) had given to the Attorney-General, when he -opened this case, they had not failed to observe, and he had observed -it with unfeigned surprise, that he had not stated to them precisely -what were the points which they were called upon to try. He had indeed -stated that it was a prosecution for high treason, but he had only -defined what was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> the quality of the treason which he meant to impute.</p> - -<p>“Unfortunately, there was mixed up with this transaction a great deal -for which the prisoner might hereafter be answerable, and which was -calculated to make a deep impression on the minds of the Jury; but -whatever was their opinion upon the moral guilt of the prisoner, if, -upon a review of the evidence, they should not be of opinion that he -had committed the precise offence charged in the indictment, it was -their duty to pronounce a verdict of Not Guilty. It therefore devolved -upon him to state precisely what they had to try; it was not merely a -question of high treason, but a question of a particular species of -high treason.</p> - -<p>“The indictment was very long, and contained many things which, in the -language of the law, were called overt acts. They were not, however, -because a great body of evidence had been given to them, to jump at the -conclusion, that the substantive treason alleged had been committed. -The sorts of treason charged were four in number: the first was founded -upon the late statute of the 36th of the King, for conspiring to depose -his majesty from his imperial style and dignity. It was now nearly -400 years since that statute, to which Englishmen had been wont to -look with veneration as a protection for the dearest rights of man—he -meant the statute of Edw. III.—had been passed. There, among other -treasons set forth, was the conspiring to take away, or the compassing -and imagining, or intending to compass or imagine the King’s death—but -there had subsequent treasons started up. There was now another Act of -Parliament in existence, which embraced not merely the compassing and -imagining the King’s death; but the conspiring to depose him from his -imperial style and dignity. It was also treason to conspire to levy war -against his majesty. This was the question then which they had to try. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> - -<p>“First, had the prisoners at the bar conspired or imagined the death -of the King; secondly, had they conspired to depose his Majesty from -his imperial style and dignity; thirdly, had they conspired to levy war -against the King; and lastly, had they actually levied war against the -King? He apprehended that they must be satisfied that one or other of -these charges was proved, before they could find a verdict of <i>guilty</i>.</p> - -<p>“Before he came to these topics, they would look to the probability of -the evidence which had been laid before them. The great mass which had -been adduced certainly led them to conclude that a conspiracy of some -kind had existed; but it did not follow that the substantive treason -charged in the indictment had therefore been committed. It did not -follow, as a matter of course, that the removal of the administration -of the King must be succeeded by the deposition of the Monarch himself. -Let them go by steps. There was continually in Parliament one party -endeavouring to remove another; that was to say, endeavouring to remove -the existing administration. He would admit, probably with the best -intentions.</p> - -<p>“Would it be contended, that this removal of an administration was -necessarily connected with the deposition of the Monarch, and that -every man who attempted to effect such a purpose would be involved in -the crime of high treason?</p> - -<p>“Again, other men might think it necessary that an administration -should be removed by violence; and this too with the most virtuous -intentions. He desired not to be misunderstood, as meaning under -that plea to justify assassination. Nothing was further from his -feelings; but all he meant to argue was, that they must not take it -as a necessary consequence that the death or destruction of a whole -administration<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> involved the death or deposition of the King. If they -(the Jury) were of opinion that it did not involve such a consequence, -the evidence on this occasion did not support the substantive treason -laid in the two first divisions of the indictment.</p> - -<p>“There were two other treasons, however; one was the conspiracy to levy -war against his Majesty; and the other, the actual levying of war. Now -he called upon them to look to the evidence, and see whether they could -draw from that a fair inference, that there was a conspiracy to levy -war, and that what had been done amounted to an actual levying of war. -In the detail given by the first witness, Adams, who in fact proved -the whole case—he thought there was much more for ridicule, than for -serious consideration. In his opinion, the testimony of this man was -utterly incredible, independent of the fact of his being an accomplice.</p> - -<p>“The Attorney-General had told them that an accomplice was a necessary -witness; but though necessary, he was not of necessity to be believed. -The more atrocious the guilt in which he had steeped himself, the less -worthy he was of credit; and where a most atrocious and wicked witness -came to tell them a tale, not only improbable, but most ridiculous in -itself, would they not at once dismiss him from their notice?</p> - -<p>“It often happened, that those who were the most ingenious in devising -and promoting mischief, were the first to become informers; and that -this was the case in the present instance, he should be enabled to -prove. They would, however, consider the evidence which had been given -by Adams to support the fact of there having been a conspiracy to levy -war against the King. They would lay out of their consideration for a -moment all that had been said of the assassination of his Majesty’s -Ministers; and they would consider the evidence as it had been given -by him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> to support that conspiracy. They had here everything to raise -their passions.</p> - -<p>“They had all the materials and preparations for war before them (the -arms on the table); but what was the result of all the discussions -which took place at all the meetings of the conspirators from the 4th -of February, in which the assassination of his Majesty’s Ministers had -been repeatedly debated?</p> - -<p>“In the cross-examination of Adams, it appeared that one of the -conspirators, Palin, had, with some degree of sense, when all those -things were talked of, asked where the men were to come from to effect -this mighty revolution? In one moment his Majesty’s Ministers were to -be assassinated!—a detachment was to go and take possession of two -pieces of cannon in Gray’s Inn-lane!—another detachment was to make -a descent upon the Artillery-Ground!—a third party were to seize the -Mansion-house, as a seat for the Provisional Government! and yet to -effect all this, what was the actual strength of the conspirators in -its most exaggerated state? Why, forsooth, forty men, two old sabres, -six shillings, and a reputed pound-note!! Where an infamous witness -told them such a story could they believe it?—was it credible? Would -they take away the life of a man under such circumstances? If it were -possible for them to do so, he could only say that they would be more -insensible than the deluded men themselves.</p> - -<p>“Then as to the other point, the actual levying of war; what a -levying of war was, he hardly knew how to define. Lord Hale had said, -that this was a question of fact, which a Jury alone was capable -of deciding.—That learned Judge had also talked of “marching with -unfurled banners, and being furnished with military officers”—but -where were the unfurled banners here, or where the military -officers?—The only military<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> man they had heard of was one disbanded -soldier, and the purpose to which he was to be applied was the -destruction of his Majesty’s Ministers—an act which, he contended, -even if effected, did not amount to a levying of war.—If they were -told the contrary, he was sure they would treat such an intimation as -absurd and ridiculous. Where was this great conspiracy concocted? In -a two-pair back room! Where was the battle fought? In a stable! Where -were the traitors incorporated? In a hay-loft! How were they armed? -With a few rusty swords, halberts, and old pistols!</p> - -<p>“He would put it to the plain common sense and understanding of the -Jury, whether they would pronounce persons so assembled and so armed, -guilty of levying war against the King? It was rather a levying war -against the constables, at the very name of whom they trembled. Then, -if there was no levying of war, was there a conspiracy to levy war? The -only evidence they had of such a conspiracy came out of the mouth of -those three witnesses who were so far contaminated, that it was beyond -all doubt they had themselves been deeply implicated in the projected -assassination of his Majesty’s Ministers.”</p> - -<p>“The question, then, for their consideration resolved itself into this -point: they would consider, even supposing that the assassination of -the Ministers was intended, whether this of necessity implied that his -Majesty was also to be deposed. If they did not think that the one must -of course follow the other, then their verdict must be “Not Guilty.” He -implored them to do their duty strictly according to law, to consider -what the law of the country was, to step neither to the right nor -to the left, but to come to a fair and impartial and unprejudiced -conclusion. He implored them to do so, not only for their own sakes, -but for the sake of the country; for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> if once jurymen suffered their -feelings of indignation towards one offence to lead them to admit the -existence of another of a different character, not proved, there would -be an end of the due distinctions of justice. If this man had been -guilty of another offence, there was another indictment against him, on -which he must take his trial if he were acquitted of this: and if he -were convicted under that, he would suffer the penalty of the law. But, -upon this occasion, he called upon them not to find him guilty of High -Treason, because they thought him worthy of death for having incurred -the guilt of assassination.</p> - -<p>“In conclusion, the learned gentleman said, he would proceed to call -a witness to prove that Adams, who had been called for the Crown, -together with an accomplice of the name of Edwards, who had not been -called, were the persons who had conveyed the arms and ammunition to -the house of Tidd on the very morning they had been found there by the -Bow-street officers.”</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Adolphus</span> then proceeded to call the</p> - -<p class="center">EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENCE.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Mary Parker</span> examined.—I am the daughter of Richard Tidd; I -live with my father; I remember the police officers coming and finding -some boxes and things in our lodgings; they came about half-past eight; -those things had been in the house when they came, about a quarter -of an hour; they were brought that morning; among them were the pike -staves; it was no person in my father’s employment who brought them; he -had been taken into custody the night before; I know a person of the -name of Adams; I have seen him at my father’s; I know a person of the -name of Edwards; I have also seen him there; he has been there often; I -have seen similar things before the officers came; I believe these to -be the same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> things; Edwards took part away; I do not know who took the -rest; he took them away on Wednesday; my father did not take them away; -Edwards did not take away the box; he only took away some things that I -have since heard were used; the box was brought a day or two before my -father was taken; it never was uncorded; Adams brought a large grenade; -I do not know what Edwards was.</p> - -<p>The Attorney-general declined asking this witness any question.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Edward Hucklestone</span> examined by Mr. Curwood.—I know a man of -the name of Dwyer. I have known him for some years. Latterly I have -known him intimately. I used the same public-house. I do not think he -is to be believed on his oath.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by the Attorney-General.—I saw him with plenty of -money, and knowing that he had little or no work, I was surprised. I -was in distress. He told me he would put me in the way to make plenty -of money, if I would go with him. I agreed; and he proposed that we -should charge gentlemen with an unnatural offence. That he was to go up -first, and then I was to join him. I left him quite shocked. This was -about three months ago. He said he had got ten pounds at a time from a -gentleman in St. James’s-street, by only catching him by the collar, -and accusing him. I met him the next night at the Rodney’s-head, and -he called me a coward. I told him of the danger, and reminded him that -his brother had been transported for the same thing. He said he knew -better how to general it than his brother. I ought to have communicated -it to a magistrate; but I was afraid of falling a “wictim” to the -Irishmen who lived in the neighbourhood. I have spoken to him since. I -was a shoemaker, but am now articled to a cow-doctor in Newman-mews. -I first communicated this to my brother, about a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> week ago. I did not -mention it before, lest I might be ill-treated, as I had to go so -much about among the cows. Some of the Irishmen have gone away from -the neighbourhood now, and that induced me to summon up courage to -mention it to my brother. I did go with Dwyer to the Park, but I was -always struck with the horror of the thing. When I saw the names of the -witnesses in this case in the paper, I made the communication to my -brother.</p> - -<p>(The witness was desired not to go out of Court.)</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Joseph Doane</span> examined by Mr. Adolphus.—I am called -the Court Reporter; I prepare for the newspapers an account of the -movements of the Court, the cabinet dinners, <i>&c.</i> I send the same -accounts to six papers, among others to <i>The New Times</i>, [Looked at the -announcement in the <i>New Times</i>, of the cabinet dinner, on Tuesday the -22d of February.] The intelligence respecting the Court in this paper -I sent. The paragraph respecting the cabinet dinner, from the wording, -I think I did not send. I think so from the use of the word “grand;” -cabinet dinners are always alike, and I do not think I used the word -“grand.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Andrew Mitchell</span>: I am printer of <i>The New Times</i>; I produce -the original of the paragraph respecting the cabinet dinner, announced -in <i>The New Times</i> on the 22d of February.</p> - -<p>Mr. Doane recalled: That is not my manuscript; I always write from a -manifold.</p> - -<p>Andrew Mitchell: I did not receive that from Mr. Doane, but from a -person of the name of Lavenue, who furnishes things in the same way.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Whittaker</span>: I searched in eleven newspapers of the 22d of -February for the annunciation of a cabinet dinner at Lord Harrowby’s, -and in none of those papers was there such an announcement as that in -<i>The New Times</i>. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Attorney-General: These papers ought to be here.</p> - -<p>The Chief Justice Abbot: Strictly speaking, they ought to be here.</p> - -<p>The witness: <i>The New Times</i> alone had the annunciation of the dinner -at Lord Harrowby’s on the 22d of February.</p> - -<p>Mr. Adolphus: This is all the evidence I intend to offer on the part of -the prisoner.</p> - -<p>Mr. Gurney: I wish, my Lord, that Dwyer should be again called.—The -witness, Dwyer, was then again put in the box, and examined by Mr. -Gurney: I do not know a man of the name of Hucklestone.—[The witness -Hucklestone was desired to stand up.]—Dwyer: I know that man, but did -not know his name was Hucklestone. I have met him in Oxford-road. Not -in a public-house. I never proposed to him to charge any person with an -unnatural offence. In February last I was at work at the parish mill, -and got three shillings. I have a wife and family.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined: I did not know Hucklestone by name. I saw him with -other chaps at the corner of James-street, near where I live; but -I never associated with him. I have seen him in Hyde-park. I never -went into a public-house with him. I resorted to the Rodney’s-Head, -but never knew him to resort there. I have not repeatedly met him -in a public-house. I don’t know that I can swear I never saw him -in a public-house. I will swear I have not been with him at the -Rodney’s-Head within this three months. I am a bricklayer by trade, and -worked fourteen years for one master.</p> - -<p>Mr. Adolphus now entreated permission to be allowed till the ensuing -day to prepare himself to address the Jury on the part of the prisoner. -The state of exhaustion to which he had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> reduced, as well as the -shortness of the time which had elapsed since he had received his -instructions, and the great importance of the duty which he had to -perform, where the life of a fellow-creature was at stake, the more -imperiously impelled him to entreat this indulgence, if consistent with -the views of the Court.</p> - -<p>The Lord Chief Justice felt the propriety of the appeal, and after some -conversation relative to the convenience of the Jury, the Court was -adjourned till the following morning.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center">THIRD DAY, <span class="smcap">Wednesday, April 19, 1820</span>.</p> - -<p>The Court opened again at nine o’clock this morning, and a few minutes -after Mr. <span class="smcap">Adolphus</span> rose to address the Jury on behalf of -the prisoner, and commenced by observing, that “he could not request -their attention to the feeble and humble efforts which he was going -to make in defence of the prisoner at the bar, without returning them -his sincere thanks for the kind and gracious manner in which they -had conceded to him further time for the preparation of his defence. -Under all the circumstances of the case, the situation in which he -(Mr. Adolphus) stood was sufficiently distressing; but it would have -been still more so if he had been compelled to address them yesterday -evening with a mass of evidence totally undigested, with a memory -wandering over all, but steadily directed to none of the points which -had come out during the trial; and without any of that simplification -of the case which he had been able to effect, though imperfectly, in -the few hours which, by their kindness, he had been able to steal from -sleep.</p> - -<p>“The inquiry in which they were then engaged was a most anxious and -important inquiry: indeed, so anxious and so important was it that -it was only natural to expect that the minds of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> counsel engaged in -conducting it would sink under the heavy task imposed upon them. During -the course of his professional career many trials similar to the -present had taken place: but in none of them did the parties accused -labour under such dreadful charges as were now brought against the -prisoner at the bar; in none of them had they been so totally deprived -of all assistance and support as the unfortunate individual had been on -whose fate they now stood impanelled to decide.</p> - -<p>“To say that he (Thistlewood) had all the weight of office arrayed -against him—to say that the prosecution was conducted with all the -talent and all the power of Government, was to say nothing more than -that Thistlewood was indicted for high treason. He (Mr. Adolphus) -meant not to blame the Government for exerting all its energies in a -case like the present; by no means—the Crown had, on all occasions, -and particularly on an occasion like this, a right to demand of its -best servants their best services: he only meant to contrast the -difficulties against which Thistlewood had to contend with those which -had surrounded other unfortunate men in his situation.</p> - -<p>“Against the great legal talent which had been employed against them by -the Crown, there had come forward advocates of high character, and not -inferior ability—advocates who voluntarily embarked themselves in the -cause of their clients—gave up their whole time and attention to their -interests, methodized and simplified the evidence necessary to maintain -them, and entered the Court prepared to meet the case brought forward -by the Crown on every one of its points and bearings.</p> - -<p>“Far different was the case of the unhappy man then standing at their -bar.</p> - -<p>“On the evening previous to his trial he was scarcely acquainted with -the name of the counsel who was to defend him: and that counsel had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> -scarcely more early information of the grounds on which his defence -was to be rested. He (Mr. Adolphus) could assure them that he was only -chosen counsel for Thistlewood on Thursday last; that unavoidable -business had kept him out of town during the whole of Friday; and that -he had appeared before them on the Monday with such information as he -could collect in the interim. He deplored this circumstance, but he -could not complain of it. His want of ability and preparation was not, -however, the only circumstance which rendered Thistlewood’s case more -desperate than that of the individuals who had formerly been placed in -his situation. Many of them had been allied with, or supported by, men -of power, and rank, and influence in the country. Thistlewood, on the -contrary, was aided by no party, was supported by no subscription, but -was deserted by men of every class and party in the community. He (Mr. -Adolphus) had received no assistance, no information, no instructions, -from him; all that he knew of the case was derived from the materials -which the solicitor, the gratuitous solicitor for the defence (Mr. -Harmer), had been able to collect within the last few days.</p> - -<p>“Besides these circumstances was another still more extraordinary and -unfortunate. At the state trials of 1794, whoever was discharged by -a verdict of his countrymen was discharged at once from all further -prosecution; and with the inquiry of that Court ended all inquiry into -his conduct.</p> - -<p>“This man, Thistlewood, however, was so beset, that, even though he -obtained at their hands a verdict of acquittal upon this charge, he -had to undergo a similar trial upon other indictments: indeed he (Mr. -Adolphus) did not hesitate to say that he (Thistlewood) was surrounded -by every danger which could possibly environ the life of a single -individual. It appeared as if this melancholy choice alone were left -him, whether he would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> have the execution of his sentence end with the -severing of his head from his body, or whether he would have his body -given up after his execution to the dissecting knife of the surgeon. -If his guilt were of such a nature as to demand that penalty to be -added to the others inflicted by the law, he had only himself to blame -for it: far was it from his (Mr. Adolphus’s) intention to palliate his -conduct upon that point: the only reason which he had for even alluding -to it was to implore them to place out of their consideration every -circumstance which was not connected with the subject of their present -investigation, and which had not been brought regularly before them in -the course of the trial.</p> - -<p>“The Attorney-General had made the same request to them, and it had -well become his character and legal knowledge to do so. It was not -less his duty as a man and as a Christian, than as a high officer of -the Crown, to give them that advice: for, bound as he was to protect -the interests of the Crown, he was not less bound not to exercise his -power in wantonly running down those subjects, who were living under -its fostering care and protection. Made, then, as this request had -been made to them by the Attorney-General, he (Mr. Adolphus) could -not help repeating it; for he was well aware how difficult it was to -dismiss from the mind the impressions of ill-will and dislike which -were naturally conceived against any one who was, or ever had been, the -subject of general reprobation.</p> - -<p>“On occasions like the present a man’s usual convictions stole into -his mind, in spite of himself: it therefore became them to be doubly -on their guard, and to view the case then under their consideration -as if they had never heard the name of Thistlewood before, and as if -they had never received any other information than that which had come -under their notice in the course of the trial,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> upon which, and upon -which alone, they were sworn to give their verdict. He agreed with the -Attorney-General that the present was a case of infinite importance; -not, however, to the prisoner at the bar merely, whose life was at a -stake, (indeed in that point of view it was of less importance than in -any other) but also to the state and to all posterity.</p> - -<p>“It was of importance to the state that verdicts should be given -upon strict evidence alone, and not upon favourable or unfavourable -impressions conceived by the Jury regarding the party on his trial. It -was of importance also to posterity; because if, as against a bad man, -a certain kind of evidence should now be allowed to procure conviction, -it would, in time, be also allowed to procure conviction against a -good one; and, in that case nobody could tell whose fame might not be -impeached, whose property might not be injured, whose life might not be -destroyed, by the same kind of evidence as had been produced on this -trial; evidence which ought never to have the credence of any jury, or -the sanction of any court.</p> - -<p>“It was not, therefore, so much for the value of Thistlewood’s life -(though God forbid that he should undervalue the life of any man) as -for the value of a precedent in a case of treason, that he was then -contending; for if a charge of high treason could be substantiated -against any British subject on such evidence as had just been adduced -there would be an end to all our well-founded boasts of the excellence -of our law regarding high treason. Such an event, however, he, for -one, did not anticipate, when he recollected with what care the law -of treason had been guarded by the legislature, and with what caution -executed by our juries, ever since the period of its first institution. -Nor was such caution, vigilance, and correctness, as had been always -exhibited by our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> juries, with some few exceptions, and those in bad -times, unnecessary or uncalled-for.</p> - -<p>“An accusation of high treason was a fearful accusation. In all other -criminal cases, from a simple assault up to a murder, the King though -not the real, was the ostensible prosecutor: in a case of high treason, -however, the King was not merely the ostensible but also the real -prosecutor; he was directly arrayed against the prisoner, and therefore -it was the imperative duty of the Jury to see that the subject was not -oppressed. The present case of high treason was as important as any of -those which had ever preceded it; and the Jury ought, therefore, to be -peculiarly careful not to allow one tittle of evidence to weigh with -them which had not been admitted on former occasions, and, if they -had any doubts with regard to its admissibility, ought to lean to the -prisoner, and not to the Crown, however interested they might be in its -preservation, and the preservation of its authority.</p> - -<p>“He had before had occasion to state to them, that the defence of the -prisoner at the bar had come to him, in the course of his professional -business, as an enforced duty. He had not sought it; he had not refused -it; indeed, as an advocate, he could do neither one nor the other. -Standing, however, as he did, in that Court, as the advocate, the -unfee’d, and therefore, in some respect, the voluntary advocate of the -prisoner Thistlewood, he deemed it right (unnecessary and improper as -it might be on any other occasion for an advocate to press his own -political opinions on the Jury) to state that, during the whole of his -life he had never given his assent to any proposition tending to change -the constitution, as established at the Revolution, either in church or -state. He had been born a subject of his late most gracious Majesty; -to him, whilst alive, he had paid a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> subject’s loyal obedience. He was -now a subject of his present most gracious Majesty, and the allegiance -which he had paid to the father he willingly transferred, as his due to -the son.</p> - -<p>“To the questions which had lately agitated the country, he had never -lent himself for a single moment; on the contrary, he had always -opposed, to the utmost of his power, every design of faction and -innovation. Thus much he thought it necessary to state in the peculiar -situation in which he stood; but making as he had that declaration -of his political principles, he also felt, both as a man and as an -Englishman, that he had a strong principle to advance and establish -in this defence; and he therefore trusted that, if any persons were -present who felt an interest in the fate of the prisoner, they would -not think that he would relax, in his efforts on his (Thistlewood’s) -behalf, on account of the difference of their political opinions. -If any thought that he would relax, he was sorry that they should -entertain such an opinion of him: he would, however, use every exertion -to make a fair defence for the prisoner: if it were not conducted with -ability, it would be not from want of intention, but from want of -ability, which would be the prisoner’s misfortune as well as his own.</p> - -<p>“The learned Counsel then proceeded to observe, that the line of -defence which he found it necessary to pursue was the most difficult -which it had ever fallen to the lot of an advocate to make good; and -he should here be deficient in respect to the good sense and talent -of the jury, if he pretended to assert that the prisoner at the bar -was perfectly guiltless. He was afraid that it was but too evident -that he (Thistlewood) and those with whom he was connected had -meditated assassination, a crime which was little less horrible than -the commission of it. He did not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> intend to palliate Thistlewood’s -conduct in doing so—far from it: it was a crime not to be palliated: -the very blood recoiled from it—the best feelings of human nature -revolted against it, and the indignation and execration of society -always followed it. Still he thought it possible that Thistlewood, -though he might be guilty of murder and the other crimes imputed to -him in the various indictments, might not be guilty of high treason. -Unless, therefore, he was fully and clearly proved to be so, it was -their duty to acquit him; and in so acquitting him, in spite of all the -odium and prejudice which surrounded him, they would be doing honour to -themselves, and benefit to their posterity.</p> - -<p>“He was not weak enough to say this in any hope that, by flattering -them, he should obtain their verdict; he should be sorry to obtain it -on such terms; for if they gave a verdict for him against the evidence, -they would be doing no honour to themselves, and a great injury to -their posterity. He had once thought of stating to them, at some -length, the nature of the law of treason, but he had afterwards found -reason to change his opinion, it having been suggested to him that -the law on that subject would come better to them from the Court. He -should therefore proceed, before he entered into a minute examination -of the evidence (on the general nature of it he had already made some -comments) to state to them the nature of the indictment.</p> - -<p>“They had heard the indictment read over to them, and would have -perceived, unacquainted as they were with the technicalities of the -law, that the same offence was charged against the prisoner, though -somewhat varied in terms. There were four charges, or counts, to which -he particularly wished to call their attention; there were to each of -these ten or eleven overt acts, all of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> which, it had been said, must -be considered as shewing the intention with which the prisoner had -acted.</p> - -<p>“The prisoner was charged, in the first count, with “compassing, -imagining, inventing, devising, and intending to deprive and depose our -Lord the King, from the style, honour, and kingly name of the imperial -crown of this realm.” The overt acts stated in the indictment were, -conspiring to assassinate several of the Privy-Council; procuring -large quantities of arms with intent to assassinate them; as also to -subvert and destroy the constitution as by law established; issuing -proclamations to the King’s subjects containing solicitations to aid -and assist them in making and levying insurrection; and various other -acts specified therein. Before, however, they found the prisoner -guilty upon this count; they ought to be convinced that the intention -to depose the King existed previously, and not subsequently, to the -commission of these overt acts. For though they should be perfectly -convinced that the prisoner had gone to Lord Harrowby’s house with the -intention of killing the King’s ministers, that fact alone did not -render him guilty of high treason: it was necessary that a treasonable -intention should be first proved to exist.</p> - -<p>“To meditate the assassination of a privy-councillor was certainly -a crime of great magnitude, and by 3 Hen. VII. cap. 14., had been -made a felony; and by a later statute, that of 9th Anne, cap. 16, to -assault or attempt to kill one in the execution of his office was made -a felony, without benefit of clergy. Thus it was clear that to kill a -privy-councillor was not in itself an act of high treason, unless it -were coupled with other acts tending to prove a treasonable intention -previously existing in the mind of the prisoner. They must, therefore, -before they brought in a verdict of guilty against him, be convinced -of one of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> these four points: either that he did intend to deprive and -depose our Lord the King from the style, honour, and kingly name of the -imperial crown of this realm; or that he did intend to excite rebellion -and insurrection within this realm, in order to subvert the government; -or that he did intend to levy war against the King, in order, by force -and restraint, to compel him to change his measures and councils; or -that he did intend, with force and arms, to effect those purposes.</p> - -<p>“These were the points which must be established before they could -find the prisoner at the bar guilty of high treason; and what was the -evidence produced to establish them? He did not hesitate to affirm, -that never was evidence so weak tendered to prove charges so heinous. -It was contradictory, it was inadmissible, it was incredible, coming -from any quarter, but still more incredible, coming, as it did, from -men destitute of all character, avowedly engaged in a conspiracy to -effect a hideous murder, and therefore men of such a description as -ought never to be allowed by their oaths to bring the life of man into -danger at all. Before he proceeded any further, it would be requisite -to call their attention to the degree of credit which ought to belong -to an accomplice. The Attorney-General, in calling an accomplice -as witness, had stated that he was to be believed, whenever he was -supported by other collateral evidence. On this doctrine he would not -comment just at present, but would content himself with observing, -that it must be clear to all of them that the whole charge of high -treason rested in this case solely on the evidence of an accomplice. -For if the testimony of Adams were to be dismissed from their notice, -there was not a single syllable said by all the other witnesses who had -been produced, (so loosely indeed had they supported the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> testimony of -Adams) tending to convict Thistlewood of high treason.</p> - -<p>“The question then came to this point, whether a charge of high -treason ought to be considered as made out, which rested solely on the -testimony of an accomplice, and an accomplice, too, like Adams. He -maintained that it ought not, for if Adams were believed, no witness -could hereafter be rejected as unworthy of credit, and consequently -no man’s life or honour could be considered secure.” An accomplice, -however, continued the Attorney-General, not indeed in those very -words, but in words to that effect, “ought not to be expected to -receive support on every point which he mentions in evidence, because -if he were to receive such support, there would be no reason to call -him at all.”</p> - -<p>“It was true that the evidence of an accomplice might be believed -under certain circumstances, that is, when he was supported by other -more respectable witnesses; but then he must not be supported by only -a few witnesses, but by all the witnesses which could be called to -confront him. He would even go so far as to say that those who availed -themselves of the evidence of an accomplice were bound to produce every -witness acquainted with the facts to which he swore, not merely those -who could support, but even those who were likely to contradict them. -These persons were the solemn gages of his truth, and like witnesses -to the signature of deeds, ought to be called forward for the common -good of all parties. This was not merely his opinion, but the opinion -of many eminent lawyers who had gone before him. Indeed he had read an -opinion of one of them in a book, which he could not with propriety -mention there; an opinion which was so much in unison with his own, -though much more forcibly expressed, that he could not omit the -opportunity of reading it to them. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> argument in it was clear and -satisfactory, and the law was not more accurately laid down than it was -forcibly expressed. The passage to which he alluded was as follows:</p> - -<p>“‘An accomplice may be a witness; even unconfirmed, he is a witness -competent to be heard.’—A witness of the most infamous character, -unless he has been actually convicted of certain specific crimes, -and the record is brought into Court, may indeed be heard; but it -is for you, gentlemen, to determine what degree of credit you will -give to his evidence. Let him be heard; let him be examined; I thank -them for calling this witness: I thank them for submitting him to the -admirable cross-examination of my learned friend: I thank them for -stopping certain subjects of inquiry; all this must satisfy you, that -no reliance can be placed upon his testimony. I am sure, that if this -were a case not of the immense importance which it is; but if it were -a suit instituted to decide the smallest question of civil right, that -you would not attend or give the slightest credence to such evidence. -But in a case of this nature and of this magnitude, in a criminal case, -in a case of treason, in a case of the highest description of crime, -and, with respect to its inflictions and penalties, the severest that -the law recognizes; in a case of high treason, I say, to build your -decision upon evidence of this character, upon such a witness, and such -a treacherous foundation, is it possible that my friends on the other -side can expect it; is it possible that they can hope, or even wish for -it? Can you believe that they could have known the previous conduct and -character of this man, when they brought him into Court? It would be an -insult to your understandings; it would be an outrage to common sense; -a mockery of justice, to suppose that the smallest degree of reliance -can be placed upon such evidence. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> - -<p>“But it is said that he is confirmed; and because he is confirmed -in some facts, you are therefore to believe him in the rest. This -is a position which lawyers are in the habit of stating in a very -unqualified manner; but it is not a position which can be maintained to -this extent, according to any principle of common sense. There is no -man who tells a long and complicated story, like that which you have -heard, who may, and must not of necessity, be confirmed in many parts -of it. The witness was upwards of eight hours in giving his evidence, -and of course stated many facts, which no man denies, which have been -in all the newspapers for weeks and for months past; and because he is -confirmed in certain particulars, you are therefore required to believe -the whole of his story to be true. Is this a proposition to be insisted -upon? Can it for a moment be maintained to this extent, and in this -broad and unqualified way? But, gentlemen, every profession and science -has its phrases; the necessary qualifications are by degrees lost sight -of, and the worst errors are thus introduced.</p> - -<p>“Let us then look at the mischief of this doctrine, and see the evils -and injustice that have arisen out of it. The notorious Titus Oates, -the witness for the Crown in the trials founded upon the Popish Plot, -in the reign of Charles the Second, that most infamous and perjured -wretch, who was afterwards convicted of perjury for his evidence upon -those trials, and suffered the punishment of the law for his crime, -was confirmed in his testimony in many most important particulars. -Unfortunately, the juries, misled in those times of heat and party -animosity, were prevailed upon to believe him, and many unhappy persons -suffered in consequence of the extreme punishment of the law; and -murders were committed, under the forms of justice, in consequence of -the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> reliance placed upon the frail and fallacious testimony of a man -of that description. You perceive, then, gentlemen, the danger of this -doctrine; and that it is not because a man is confirmed in certain -circumstances that you can safely believe him, as to other facts where -that confirmation is wanting.</p> - -<p>“What is the character of falsehood? Who has lived in the world, -and has at all examined the operations of the human heart and mind, -who does not know that this is the usual and proper character of -falsehood—that it does not wholly invent, falsehood engrafts itself -upon truth, and by that artifice misleads and deceives, truth is -exaggerated, things that exist are discoloured or distorted—these -are the usual operations of falsehood; this is a part of its nature, -its address and dexterity. It arises, therefore, out of the very -nature of perjury, that it must be confirmed to a certain extent; and -it is because there is confirmation in certain particulars, to which -particulars I shall, by-and-by, take the liberty of drawing your -attention, that you are gravely required to believe the whole of the -miserable fictions with which you have been insulted in the evidence of -this abandoned wretch.</p> - -<p>“But let us look with a little more accuracy to the shades and -distinctions upon this material point. I beg you to follow me; for it -is most important, according to my apprehension of the question. A man -may be seduced into the commission of an offence, who had previously -maintained a good character; he may repent of his crime, and give -information, and then come into court as a witness. If the story which -he tells is found to be probable; if he is not only uncontradicted in -any facts, but is confirmed in essential particulars; if there are -no circumstances of suspicion arising out of the situation in which -he stands, a jury, may, possibly, upon such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> evidence, be justified -in finding a verdict of guilty. I repeat it, that if the previous -character of the man were good; that if the story he tells is probable; -if it is not proved to be false in any part of it; if he is confirmed -in essential particulars, and there are no circumstances of suspicion -arising out of the persons with whom he is connected, and by whom he is -surrounded, then the Jury may give credit to his evidence.</p> - -<p>“He could not help observing, that, if he had desired the best friend -whom he had in the world to enlarge his mind by the infusion of good -sound legal opinions, or to compose for him a dissertation on this -express subject, that friend could not have given him any sentences so -adequate to the expression of the sentiments which he wished to convey -to the Jury, as were the sentences which he had just read to them. He -could have wished to have given them the book which contained these -sentences to keep in the box with them, but the practice of the Court -prevented him from doing so; he would, however, ask them to retain -them, if they could, in their minds, as a shield of protection for the -prisoner, against a man, who ought not to be believed on any one point, -but who had interwoven with his falsehoods many truths, which he had -acquired either from common report in common conversation, or which had -been impressed on his recollection by the injunction of those under -whom he acted.</p> - -<p>“The next step which he had to take, would be to comment on the -evidence, but before he entered into an examination of it, he should -beg leave to describe the nature of the defence which he was going -to make. He thought it, therefore, his duty, to say at once, that no -doubt could be entertained of Thistlewood having been at a meeting -in Cato-street, and that he, with the other members of that meeting, -had determined to murder all the Cabinet Ministers. To entertain a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> -doubt of the existence of the meeting, or the sanguinary designs which -those who attended it entertained, would be full as absurd as to doubt -the existence of light now that the sun was casting its full radiance -upon the Court. Whilst that meeting was in deep deliberation, it was -interrupted by the arrival of a party of police officers. In the affray -which ensued, Smithers met his death, or, he ought rather to speak out -plainly, was murdered.</p> - -<p>“Making, however, these concessions, and admitting the facts to be as -bad as bad could be against the prisoner at the bar, believing even, as -he did believe, that Thistlewood was guilty of the murder of Smithers, -still he maintained that his guilt did not amount to high treason. -He would admit, that from motives of a personal nature, Thistlewood -wished to kill one of his Majesty’s ministers; and that, in order to -effect that purpose, he had no objection to kill them all. The Jury -ought, however, to recollect that, whilst influenced by this wish, he -had always been accompanied by two spies: how far they had advised -these plots was not clear, but one thing was clear, that, upon such -evidence as theirs, they were called upon to convict Thistlewood of -high treason. That he had been guilty of murder he (Mr. Adolphus) was -not now going to dispute; but it was too bad that the crimes of murder -and treason should now be blended together, and that he should be -represented as meditating a crime which he never had for one moment in -his heart.</p> - -<p>“He had already stated to them, that if Adams’s evidence did not -convict Thistlewood, none else did, for the evidence of the other -witnesses was little or nothing. If, therefore, he shewed them, as -he hoped and trusted he should shew them, that the witness Adams was -totally unworthy of belief, then a verdict of acquittal must be given<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> -for the prisoner at the bar. In order to convince them how totally -undeserving he (Adams) was of credit, he (Mr. Adolphus) should beg -leave to direct their attention to three points. He should ask them how -far Adams had been confirmed in that part of his evidence which related -to the treason; then how far he had been contradicted by his own -evidence, or that of others; and, lastly, how far he might have been -confirmed by others, if the Counsel for the Crown had thought proper to -call them.</p> - -<p>“What then was the testimony which Mr. Robert Adams had given to -them? He (Mr. Adolphus) would tell them. The man had commenced his -evidence by informing them, that he had been a soldier some years in -the Blues. That any subject of the King should entertain such schemes -as had been entertained by these alleged conspirators, was certainly -deplorable; but that a man in the situation of Adams, a soldier, sworn -to defend his Majesty to the best of his ability from all harm and -danger, should have voluntarily entered into them, and should never -have felt any of what he (Adams) had termed compunctious visitings as -to the guilt in which he was going to involve himself, until four days -after the execution of that guilt had been rendered impossible, was a -circumstance so atrocious as to deprive him of all claim to credibility -and respect.</p> - -<p>“This loyal soldier, however, proceeded to inform them, that he had -become acquainted with Brunt about three years ago, when the British -army was at Cambray, at which time Brunt was attending it in the -capacity of a shoemaker. After the dispersion of the army he lost sight -of him for some time, but afterwards met him again in the month of -January last, when Brunt introduced him to Thistlewood. Then occurred -one of the most extraordinary circumstances which he (Mr. Adolphus) -had ever heard of, though it appeared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> to be nothing else than the -fashion throughout the whole of this case. At his very first meeting -with this Mr. Adams, Thistlewood let him into the whole secret of his -traitorous designs. But could any one believe that Thistlewood himself -was so reckless of life, as to use language to a stranger equivalent -to this?—‘My fate is so hard, my circumstances are so desperate, -that I care not a straw what becomes of me. I put myself, and all my -designs, into your hands, without any regard to the consequences; and -yet those designs are so horrible and so sanguinary, that if you have -the slightest portion of loyal feeling about you, you must denounce -me to Government, you must hand me over to justice, you must embrace -the opportunity which I have given you of condemning me, without any -scruple, out of my own mouth.’ Was it possible that any man in his -senses could be thus blind and foolish? Could the most credulous man -alive be persuaded to attach credit to so incredible a story? He -thought not; and he therefore trusted, that on such evidence, they -would never find the prisoner guilty of high treason.</p> - -<p>“But though the prisoner, and those with whom he was connected, had -not meditated so great a crime as treason, the evidence inclined him -to believe, that after the perpetration of the bloody deeds which -they meditated, they had intended, under shelter of the confusion -which such atrocities would have created, to have commenced a general -plunder and devastation of the metropolis. Such an intention, though -it enhanced their guilt, did not make it amount to high treason; and, -indeed, any person who carefully perused the evidence, would observe -that it tallied well throughout with a design to plunder, but very -ill indeed with a design to depose the King and to alter the form -of Government. For what was it that Mr. Adams next said? Why, after -some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> conversation as to his excellence as a swordsman, Thistlewood is -represented as saying, ‘No man worth 10<i>l.</i> was worth any thing for -the good of his country. The tradesmen and shopkeepers of London were -a set of aristocrats together, and all worked under the same system of -government. He should like to see the day when all the shops should be -shut up and well plundered.’ Why, the whole intent of their conspiracy -was disclosed in this sentence. Here was nothing about depriving -the King of his style and dignity; but there was a good deal about -plundering the city. Their arms, too, were fitted for this purpose, -but not for overturning the Government, as must have been evident to -all, from the miserable display of their armory which had been so -ostentatiously made on the preceding evening. Therefore, unless they -could suppose, that to murder the man whom they hated, and to plunder -the shops during the trepidation ensuing on such murder, amounted to a -deposing of the King, they must acquit Thistlewood of high treason.</p> - -<p>“At another meeting, this formidable band of traitors declared that -they were so poor, that they could not wait longer than the ensuing -Wednesday for the effecting of their intended revolution. He left it to -the jury to say, whether such a declaration savoured more of plunder -or of high treason. But, in his opinion, a scheme of plunder was the -only thing which could be thus easily arranged; not a revolution in the -state, which must depend upon many fortuitous events and circumstances. -After this, their conversation became sportive; they gave certain -facetious nick-names to certain distinguished noblemen; how justly -it was not their business then to decide. This occurred on the 13th -of January, just one month and ten days before the transaction in -Cato-street. What occurred next, according to the testimony of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> -respectable Mr. Adams? Why, that three days afterwards he was himself -arrested for a small debt, and carried to Whitecross-street prison, -which residence he did not leave until the 30th of January. Was this -man, who could not even preserve his liberty, more likely to be found -engaged in a design to destroy the state, or in a design to commit -pillage and plunder, to enrich himself? He had nothing to lose, he had -every thing to gain; and if the worst came to the worst, he had only to -save himself, and hang the rest of his companions, by turning King’s -evidence against them.</p> - -<p>“After Adams had got out of prison, he returned to his old friends, -and had several conversations with them, at all of which Edwards was -present. He wished to call their attention to this curious fact, that -Edwards, who could have proved all the conversations which had taken -place—Edwards, whose name was placed on the back of the indictment as -a witness to be summoned on behalf of the Crown, had never once been -put into the box. Shortly afterwards they took a room to themselves, -and had meetings in it twice or thrice every day. Adams attended -them all, became acquainted with all their projects, made himself an -active partner to all their intended atrocities; and yet, though a -soldier of the King’s, never disclosed a syllable of them to any of -the constituted authorities until he was apprehended. What next? Why, -between the 3d and the 16th of February, another conversation occurred; -and then this plot is described as assuming, for the first time, a -treasonable shape, ‘One evening,’ says this respectable witness, ‘I -went in and saw Harrison, Thistlewood and Brunt: Harrison said, that -he had been speaking to one of the horse-guards, who had told him that -the whole of their regiment would be down at Windsor on the King’s -funeral. He said that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> this would be a favourable opportunity to <i>kick -up a row</i>, and to see what could be done.’ Kick up a row! That very -phrase explained the whole matter—all the troops would not, indeed, be -out of town, but all the officers of police would, and therefore it was -a favourable opportunity to kick up a row, and to commit depredation. -‘Thistlewood’ continued Mr. Adams, ‘said that it was a good plan; -and, added, that if they could get the two pieces of cannon in Gray’s -Inn-lane, and the six pieces in the Artillery-ground, they would so -help themselves as to have possession of London before morning. He -also said, that when the news should reach Windsor, the soldiers would -be so tired from being up all night, as to be incapable of doing any -thing when they returned to London.’ In possession of London! Why -this fellow, with his military education, ought to have known that he -could not take military possession of any single respectable street in -the metropolis with ten times the number of men said to be engaged in -this wild attempt to overthrow a mighty empire. For were their numbers -unknown? No—their whole battalia was well known to consist of not more -than twenty-five men; and yet, with this mighty force, and with eight -pieces of artillery, they were to be able to keep possession of London, -because the poor dear soldiers would be tired to death by being kept up -on duty a whole night at Windsor. Were such idle dreams and dotages to -be credited in a court of justice? or were they to be dismissed from -their recollection with that scorn and contempt which was so eminently -their due?</p> - -<p>“Adams then represented Thistlewood continuing as follows:—‘By -persevering after they had got the cannon, and by using some activity, -they might go to Hyde-park and prevent any person or messenger from -going to Windsor, and giving the alarm. Another party should then -cross the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> water, and take the telegraph, to prevent any communication -being made at Woolwich of what was going forward at London.’ The man -who devised such a plan, might, indeed, be considered as mad—but at -least there was method in his madness. Roads were to be commanded in -this, important diversions operated in that direction, telegraphs to be -seized in one town, and soldiers paralyzed in another. All this, too, -was to be done by twenty-five men and eight pieces of artillery, who -were to be gifted, in addition to all their other qualifications, with -the most wonderful ubiquity.</p> - -<p>“That a wicked man, or that even a madman, might devise such a -project, he could easily believe; but that any man should propose -it as a feasible project to any body of men, was more than he could -ever be induced to credit. For no story of oriental romance was -so extravagant—no exploit of any hero of school divinity was so -inconsistent with reason and probability, as was the design which Adams -had shown to have been recommended by Thistlewood to his associates. -And yet these men were to form a provisional government, and the -forming of this provisional government was to constitute a chief point -of their guilt! They form a provisional government for this mighty -empire! In what way? by what means? out of what materials? Out of those -illiterate and beggarly individuals, he supposed, who could not agree -on the drawing up, on cartridge-paper, of three lines, to be exposed on -the great day of the revolution on the blazing buildings of London, for -the good of the people.</p> - -<p>“This provisional government, formed from such materials as he had -described, was not to begin the exercise of its authority, however, -until the soldiers, who were to be tired to death by sitting up all -night at Windsor, were fairly disposed of. From his talking thus coolly -of tiring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> the poor soldiers to death by the labours of one night, -it was quite clear that Adams, with all his military education, had -either never heard of such a thing as a bivouac, or else that he had -conceived all virtue and all valour, as well as all honesty, to have -left the army when he quitted it. The provisional government being -formed, it was only natural to expect that the business of the drama -would crowd more thickly upon the Jury, and therefore they might be -excused for asking what came next. Why, the provisional government was -to send to the sea-ports to prevent any gentlemen from leaving England -without passports: it was to send to Dover, to Brighton, to Margate, -to Ramsgate, and other places, orders to that effect; to send to all -of them, too, during the night of the King’s funeral—and, above all, -was to send these orders to Brighton in particular. Why so? because -the mention of Brighton brought the prisoner at the bar into contact -with the reigning Sovereign, and laid a foundation for a charge of high -treason.</p> - -<p>“The King, however, was not at that time at Brighton, but unfortunately -confined to his palace in London by so severe an indisposition as to -require the issuing of daily bulletins regarding the state of his -health. From that indisposition he had now recovered, and he (Mr. -Adolphus) prayed to God that he might long be preserved from the -recurrence of it. The prisoner at the bar, however, if they were to -believe the testimony of Adams, was of opinion, that the present family -had inherited the throne long enough, and that it was of no use for the -present King to think of ever being crowned.”</p> - -<p>The learned Counsel proceeded, “Thus, gentlemen, is the secret -detected! Here is the word of the wise and the edict of the powerful! -By means like these was the greatest metropolis in the world to be -taken, the great roads of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>communication with the country occupied, -and the sea-port towns seized! Yet, by this shameless fabricator of -incredible falsehood, and by him alone, is the first count of the -indictment supported. It required the greatest human fortitude of face -to state it. Well, it was discovered that the first Cabinet dinner was -to be given. Cabinet dinners were said to be suspended during the death -of the late King, and the illness of the present. On occasion of this -first Cabinet dinner the plan was to be executed. Mark, now, how this -story breaks itself to pieces!</p> - -<p>“On the 16th of February the plot is formed; yet then there was no -ministry, and no intention of a Cabinet dinner. This is flagrant, -gross, and palpable, too palpable for detection, too flagrant -for exaggeration. Several meetings are said to have been held at -Fox’s-court. It was found, on the 19th February, that the soldiers had -done their duty, and were not to be surprised, therefore something new -must be devised. For this purpose comes the ever memorable information -in <i>The New Times</i>. They had nothing in view but plunder; they sought -only the surest way to plunder. Poverty was their goad, plunder their -aim. Their designs were not directed against any individuals, however -exalted, but as means of plunder. But a committee was appointed, and -we see them assembled on the 20th. This is eminently worthy of your -attention. On Sunday, at eleven o’clock in the morning, when the snow -fell so thick that one could scarcely see his way, the committee met. -Tidd took the chair at this rehearsal of the provisional government. -Tidd sat in the chair with a pike in his hand. Thistlewood took his -station on his right; Brunt was on the left; Thistlewood opens:—‘I -presume you know what you have met here for; I mean the west-end -job.’ This is presumptuous enough, certainly. Brunt speaks next: he -never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> speaks without an oath, and he, characteristically, says, -‘D—n my eyes, mention it out.’ Tidd calls to order. So orderly was -this meeting! Thistlewood then proposes to assassinate the ministers -separately, as they cannot be got together.</p> - -<p>“Their arrangements for this are like all the other arrangements; -barracks were to be taken, cannons carried away, ministers -assassinated, government subverted, the Mansion House occupied, all by -fifteen or twenty men. Twenty-five were the greatest number ever spoken -to. Twenty-five would find themselves completely lost in the Mansion -House; they might as well wander through the Tower of Babel. Palin, -who was to be particularly important in his services, was to travel -from place to place with satchels of burning materials on his back, -and was alone to set fire to several places. Mr. Palin alone was to be -seen wandering about, setting fire to houses for amusement, or for the -perfection of their plan. Each individual was to have his distinct act -of assassination; whoever failed was to be himself assassinated. But -who the spare assassin was, to assassinate the rest if they failed, was -not told. But this is one of the many fictions which you are called -upon to swallow.</p> - -<p>“The witness ventured, for the first time, to express here some -difficulty, and asked whether, if failure proceeded from unavoidable -causes, and not from cowardice, the same consequence must follow. -Thistlewood relieved him from this apprehension. But how the -court-martial was to be formed to try the case was not discovered. -Such, gentlemen, is the delirium of delusion, or the suggestions of -frenzy, which you are called upon to believe. Mr. Palin delivers a -speech in parliamentary form. ‘Agreeing as I do with the plan proposed, -I wish to know where men are to be found.’ Then he asks whether the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> -plan is to be communicated to those he meant to call upon. Thistlewood -authorizes him to use his own discretion. Gentlemen, if you find in -this testimony some remote pointing to probability, believe it; but can -you, for a moment, hesitate respecting this gross and flagrant fiction? -Furnival’s Inn was selected for setting fire to. No building is less -liable to be burnt. It is a modern building, and there are strong -party-walls. Other places, which I shall not name, and where some of -us live, would be much fitter. Many places between Furnival’s Inn and -Fetter-lane, all timber, would take fire at once. But Furnival’s Inn -appeared fittest in fiction.</p> - -<p>“The witness had been in prison, and having forgotten that Furnival’s -Inn was rebuilt, and inventing what he should say to the Privy-Council, -he represented Furnival’s Inn as the place to be burnt, because, in -its former state, it would readily take fire. The Privy Council, -their clerk, as well as the Attorney General, I believe, gave him no -assistance; they only placed him before an impartial jury. You know -that if the plan were contemplated and effected, a chandler’s shop at -Charing-cross, where the various communications diverge into the town, -would create more alarm. But this suited the grossness of fiction, or -the fondness of delusion, by which this witness looked for impunity -and reward. We now come to the business of the exchequer. Brunt says, -“D——n my eyes, though I have not worked for some time, I have a -1<i>l.</i> note, and I shall give it for a treat.” You will not, gentlemen, -suppose that I repeat these oaths as feeling pleasure in doing so. It -is painful to me, and disgusting to you; but, in my humble judgment, it -is not a needless repetition.</p> - -<p>“Suppose Brunt’s generous purpose accomplished, it will give a slice of -cheese, a piece of bread, and a glass of gin to each. It appears that -6<i>s.</i> was the largest sum seen with them:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> there was 1<i>s.</i> on another -occasion; there was 7<i>d.</i> for a newspaper, 7<i>s.</i> 7<i>d.</i> was the treasury -then. Whether this and the prospect of sharing in the produce of a -1<i>l.</i> note, could induce fifteen men to subvert the Government, I leave -you to judge. Nothing stimulated them, then, but the hope of plunder. -When they should have done something to create alarm, they expected to -have full liberty of plunder.</p> - -<p>“Thus have I endeavoured, gentlemen, by hours stolen from my rest, to -lay before you the real character of their intentions. My Lord will -fairly state the law to you; I need not, therefore, anticipate any -thing on that subject. At the meeting on the 21st, information is said -to have been given that their proceedings were known at Bow-street, -and at the Secretary of State’s office. We might have had evidence -whether this information could be well founded, but we have none. Next -day, the 22d, the cabinet dinner is announced. Who announces it? Mr. -Edwards. This corresponds with what is in evidence before you, that the -intelligence was fabricated, and put into the paper for this purpose. -“Poverty goads on these men; it is fit,” said the prompters, “that we -put them on to what will serve our own purposes.”</p> - -<p>“The Court reporter himself did not know of the cabinet dinner. He has -told you, that the word ‘grand’ could not be applied by him, as one -cabinet dinner was not grander than another. You see, then, how it has -been fabricated. I will here once more allude to the execrations of -Brunt, and from this time dismiss them from your observation.</p> - -<p>“The Attorney General animadverted properly on the impiety and obduracy -of heart which the language of Brunt indicated. If it was true, his -infamy baffles description. It is, that up to that moment he had been -an infidel, but he had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> praying to God, and he now believed, -because his prayer was answered. Such are the words uttered by the -fiction-making witness’s mouth. ‘I have prayed to God, in whom I did -not believe, to put in our power innocent men, who are highly favoured -in this world.’ These are the fictions of a gross, rank, ignorant, -conspirator; they defy the grasp of human investigation; they almost -persuade us to believe them, because they are impossible. We are almost -led to say, as one said on another occasion, ‘I believe it, because no -man would invent what is so incredible.’ But, on a question of life and -death, gentlemen, you will not listen to such fictions; you will not -regard such fantastical decoys. Perforated by the witness’s own act, -his creation sinks to the bottom of the sea; it can form neither buoy -nor vessel—it is sunk and destroyed for ever. But he is an infamous -witness who cannot be believed at all. You find himself next in the -chair; and when one turns upon him like a bull-dog, and another like a -bear, he remains firm.</p> - -<p>“It was then resolved to have a watch set upon Lord Harrowby’s -house. This was certainly done, and was a part of the plan which was -undoubtedly formed to murder his Majesty’s Ministers. But after that -should have been done, so barren were they of invention, that they were -to fall back on their old plan of carrying away cannons without horses; -of occupying posts without men; and of performing great deeds without -any means.</p> - -<p>“Provisional Government! Unless the pronouncing of these words were to -‘raise spirits from the vasty deep,’ I know not what it could mean. -A printing press, one would have thought, was indispensable. But no -means of printing a placard had they. Their proclamations were written -on a piece of cartridge paper. I beg pardon, let me not understate the -means possessed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> by them; on three pieces of cartridge paper were the -magical words written. ‘Your tyrants are destroyed.’ Ministers were the -tyrants then. Be it so. This is not high treason. It might have been -murder; but it is not high treason. ‘The friends of liberty are invited -to come forward.’ If this were told by a witness deserving of faith, it -would stagger belief; told by one tainted as this witness is, it can -excite no inclination towards faith. On the blazing building, I think I -am correct in stating it so, these proclamations were to be stuck up, -in order that the friends of liberty, happening to pass by the ruins, -might know that a provisional government was sitting, we know not -where, or for what purpose.</p> - -<p>“Is it possible, gentlemen, to sacrifice human life upon evidence like -this? Is it possible to credit evidence that has no point of contact -with common sense? The Provisional Government, dropped from the clouds, -is sitting: the finger-post is destroyed, with the blazing building to -which it was attached; you know not where the Provisional Government is -to be found.</p> - -<p>“The witness stated, that Ings, the butcher, was arrayed in a belt -and two bags. The articles which were exhibited to you last night -are removed from the table to-day. The bags were to carry human -heads. If there is in the human mind any thing so atrocious as to -crown assassination with an exhibition like this, I am truly, truly -heart-struck with sorrow for it. I was led to review the French -Revolution, to which allusion has been made by the Attorney General, -and at that early age every drop of blood in my body was chilled with -horror at human heads paraded through the streets, and at the atrocious -barbarities inflicted on the royal family. I rejoiced that the country -to which I belonged was free from such crimes.</p> - -<p>“From the hasty view I took of the bags, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> it did not occur to me -till I left the Court, but from the hasty view I took, I think they -are not large enough to contain a human head. I am told that they are: -if so, I only say it has the impression of a hasty view. But, for -God’s sake, let us not decide by these ignorant visions. Was not Lord -Harrowby’s plate, the salvers and goblets, &c., a more natural object -of desire, and not heads, which, if any carried, every hand would -instinctively strike him from the face of the earth? The hand of Lord -Castlereagh was to be put into pickle, whether in order to be shewn -for money, as might appear suitable to the situation of Ings, or to be -exhibited as a trophy, does not appear.</p> - -<p>“The witness says, when the officers entered the loft in Cato-street, -they cried out, ‘Here’s a pretty nest of you,’ &c. I shall afterwards -remark upon this, because I think it pregnant with importance as to -the witness’s testimony, for I think he was not there at all. With the -experience which you have had in courts of justice, some of you may -have felt astonished that my learned friend did not proceed further -into the cross-examination of this witness. Every art has its own -difficulties, and my learned friend never shewed more consummate skill -in his art than when he refrained from further cross-examination of -this witness.</p> - -<p>“When my learned friends, the Solicitor General and Mr. Gurney -asked questions of this witness, which were the natural and regular -inquiries, you heard him refuse to answer, and add, ‘No, I have -something else to say before I come to that.’ When their experience and -judgment suggested the proper questions, he would not let his contrived -and fabricated tale be mutilated. ‘No,’ says the untractable witness, -‘I have not come to that yet.’ If my learned friend had wasted time -in cross-examination, he could only have got repetitions of the same -words. Such testimony is not to be overthrown by <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>cross-examination, -but by his manner before you, and by the probability of the statements -he makes. But this important declaration was got from him by -cross-examination.</p> - -<p>“When my learned friend asked him, in the words quoted by the Attorney -General from a great poet, whether he had given information from -‘compunctious visitings,’ he replied, that conscience alone made him -disclose what he knew. He is quiet from the murder of Smithers on -Wednesday night till Saturday, when he plumes his wings, and goes to -the Privy-Council to disburthen his heart. I have had a good deal of -experience of the evidence of such persons; and I have heard one, who -was chairman of the quarter-sessions for Middlesex twenty-six years, -say, that, from the moment that observation was made by an accomplice, -he was not to be believed, because that was incredible. Apply that -here. He sees the murderer, and goes away, unconcerned as if nothing -had happened. He rests on the stings of his conscience for four days. -He must think that you have no hearts yourselves—no consciousness of -the operations of human feelings—if he imagines that you can believe -what no schoolboy would give credit to.</p> - -<p>“Have I used levity upon this subject? for God’s sake, absolve me -from the intention! Have I treated lightly the contemplation of -assassinating men possessing and deserving the highest veneration? -For God’s sake, excuse the observations which the absurdity of the -evidence made necessary! I cannot hear, without indignation, that the -wisdom which has so long presided in one of the most important of our -Courts, was thus to become a corpse; and that the valour which fought -at Waterloo (for the Duke of Wellington was to have been at the dinner) -was to have fallen by assassins. From these two take the measure of -all. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> - -<p>“When the destruction of worth and wisdom, of learning and talent, is -thus contemplated, the most hardened and flinty heart that ever dwelt -in a human bosom recoils with horror, and melts with compassion.</p> - -<p>“If then, I have used a light expression, impute it, gentlemen, to -inadvertence of language, and not to hardness of heart, because the -absurdity of the witness made the observations I offered unavoidable.</p> - -<p>“Let us now see how far this witness is supported by other witnesses. -Mary Rogers proves his statement as to the lodgings; Joseph Hall -confirms him to a similar extent. Lord Harrowby and his servant -confirms him so far, as to prove the intention of giving his cabinet -dinner on Wednesday night. Of this there is no doubt. Hyden is proved -to have spoken to his Lordship in the Park. Three witnesses are called, -which was not necessary, to prove that the room in Cato-street had -been taken; but the parade of confirmation in this matter is meant to -cast an air of credibility over other parts of the evidence. I now -advert to collateral confirmations. The sharpening of Ings’s sword, the -acquaintance of Harrison with the state of the barracks, the redeeming -of a blunderbuss from pawn for murder, not treason, have been all -proved.</p> - -<p>“It is true, Hyden and Dwyer are not accomplices, they are to be -believed, if their testimony is credible. Hyden long ago, before -his late Majesty’s death, states to Wilson, with whom alone he was -acquainted, that grenades were to be thrown under the table, and -that those who should escape were to be killed with the sword. But -he mentions no ulterior object deserving of the name of treason. -Whatever the object might be, Hyden goes first to Lord Castlereagh, -who was the object of their peculiar spleen; then not finding him, -to Lord Harrowby. But what the nature<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> of their plan was you may -judge from this that, Wilson would not, for the accomplishment of -it, lose a shilling or half-a-crown to be gained by going with cream -to a nobleman. He knew that no such thing as a revolution was to be -done. This, gentlemen, is not the way that kings are destroyed, and -governments overthrown.</p> - -<p>“I do not say that the question should not enter into your -consideration, but I say that you cannot find a verdict for the -Attorney General, if you do not believe Adams; and I have laboured very -much in vain, if you have not dismissed his evidence from your minds. -Monument has not in the slightest degree confirmed Adams as to the -proceedings previously to those in Cato-street; and he has no memory of -having ever seen so remarkable a man as Adams at Cato-street. Monument -knew nothing of the murder of Ministers, and the expectation of plunder -as the consequence of its effects on others.</p> - -<p>“You have next the very extraordinary and very irregular evidence of -Dwyer. He, according to his own account, is a very modest bricklayer, -and has for thirty years served one master. His conscience told him, -and he told Thistlewood, “It is a very hard thing for me to inveigle -the minds of men.” A man who had such notions of right and wrong, ought -to have told him that it was very wrong to murder. He gave information -to Colonel James within an hour of the time the communication was -made to him on the 23d of February. Colonel James advised him to go -to the Secretary of State. He tells that Thistlewood was in five or -six revolutions. I don’t know Thistlewood’s history or revolutions. -[Here the learned Council read large extracts of Dwyer’s evidence.] -Here is evident intention of riot, but nothing of a revolution; and it -is remarkable that there is not a tittle of mention of a Provisional -Government.</p> - -<p>“The whole fabric of treason falls to the ground<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> like the card-house -of a baby. Adams sees not what is done in Cato-street. Monument sees -not Adams, and is not seen by Adams. Dwyer sees neither Adams nor -Monument on any occasion. Monument, like Wilson, is so cold in the -cause, that, when he has a pair of shoes to mend, he pays no attention -to the plot. This is not evidence on which you can believe the -existence of treason.</p> - -<p>“As a plot, it is beneath the attention of Government.</p> - -<p>“That plan of assassination which has filled the nation with horror, -was such, that nothing can be too effectual to guard against it, and -the utmost vigilance of the magistrates ought to be exercised to -prevent a mischief so nefarious from finding shelter in society. But -I will say, in the words of a great writer, that ‘the chirpings of -the grasshoppers disturb not the stately ox, who grazes unconscious -of their noise.’ So is it unworthy of the Government of this country -to prosecute as traitors some dozen of ragged beggars, impatient of -extreme poverty.</p> - -<p>“I shall point out to you in what points Adams is materially -contradicted. Here you will remember that one contradiction is of -more importance than ten thousand confirmations. Confirmations to any -extent, only prove that the witness spoke truth to that extent; one -contradiction proves the unprincipled contempt of an oath, and the -wilful fabrication of falsehood.</p> - -<p>“The learned gentleman again adverted to the meetings which were held -in the house where Brunt lodged, and asked, ‘was it not strange that -the landlady, Mrs. Rogers, should have known nothing of those frequent -meetings, where so many persons attended, and where such noises were -made as had been described. Would not the Jury think it a very singular -circumstance that the landlady should have been ignorant of all this -passing in her own house?’ Let the Jury now look<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> to the account given -by Adams of what passed in Cato-street. He stated that there was only -one candle lighted. The officers, however, proved that there were -eight, and that they were all put out on the firing of the pistol. He -was equally incorrect in describing what was said. It was not as he -swore, ‘there is a pretty nest of you.’ No; for the evidence of the -officers themselves went only to the words,—‘We are officers, lay down -your arms.’ He (Adams) knew when in prison, that something was said -by the officers, and he made that account which he thought the least -likely to be contradicted.</p> - -<p>“What would the Jury infer from those contradictions and -inconsistencies in his evidence; but, that he was a man who respected -neither God nor his Gospel, and who swore to that which he knew to be -untrue. Would they, under such circumstances, attach any weight to -his evidence? But he (Mr. Adolphus) would come to another part of his -evidence, where he was not only contradicted with the account given by -others, but where he was inconsistent with himself.</p> - -<p>“It would be recollected, that he swore to Strange being present at -the meetings on two occasions; yet, when Strange was put to the bar he -could not recognise him—not point him out whom he swore to as having -been present at two meetings held in the open day. Was this the man -upon whose evidence the Jury could return a verdict, which would affect -the life of the unfortunate prisoner at the bar.</p> - -<p>“He now begged the attention of the jury to another part of the case. -They had heard of the name of Edwards in this case; this man, who lived -at 166, Fleet-street, who afterwards lived at Ranelagh-place, why was -not this man called? He was not an accomplice in any criminal degree, -as must be inferred from the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>conduct of Government in letting him go -quite at large. Why was not this man called? They would then have the -spy to support the testimony of the informer. He could tell the Jury -why; because it was remembered what had been the effect of calling a -witness of a similar description on a former occasion. The witness -then produced underwent a long and able cross-examination from the -Counsel employed for the prisoners, and the result was, that he and -his testimony were put out of Court together, and had no other effect -on the minds of the Jury, than to convince them that the whole was a -fabrication.</p> - -<p>“If Edwards had been called, he would have told the Jury how this case -had been got up; for he was well acquainted with the whole machinery of -it. It would be recollected, that it was he who made the fusee for the -hand-grenades; what would the Jury infer from his non-appearance, but -that the whole of this case, as far as related to the charge of high -treason, was a fabrication destitute of any foundation whatever.</p> - -<p>“He would now come to a part of the statement made by the -Attorney-General in his address to the Jury. He had said, that -he supposed a part of the defence would be, that the Jury should -discredit the whole of this story, from its great improbability. He -(Mr. Adolphus) had never any such intention, nor did he think, that -the youngest advocate at the bar would have attempted such a line of -defence.</p> - -<p>“To deny the existence of a plan, however wild and visionary, on the -ground that it was improbable, would be to go in the face of the most -authentic historic authority. He would take as an example one of the -most familiar cases on record. The Earl of Essex, it was known, in a -moment of moody displeasure with Queen Elizabeth, did not contrive a -regular plan for displacing her from the throne, but in the instant -he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> rushed forth into the streets, at the head of some few of his -followers, and endeavoured to stir up the citizens to rebellion; -imagining that the people might be induced to second his scheme, and -effect in a moment that which he had madly fancied.</p> - -<p>“This was a most wild and visionary plan; but, if we were reject it on -the ground of its improbability, we should be blotting a page from our -history, the truth of which was never before doubted. No, it was not -his intention to deny the existence of the present plan, on the ground -of its improbability, but he wished the Jury to disbelieve the witness, -on the ground of the improbability of the plot as he had described -it. When, in the course of yesterday, they saw the pikes, and swords, -and pistols and guns, and hand-grenades, which were taken from the -prisoners, or at their houses, no doubt they might have felt some alarm.</p> - -<p>“They might have participated in the feelings of some persons who -were near him at that moment; one of whom said, he should not like -to have one of those instruments presented to his breast. No doubt; -nobody would like it: but let the Jury seriously consider, how those -instruments were to be applied. If they took the twelve hundred rounds -of ball-cartridge which were said to have been taken, and divided them -by twenty-four, they would find that they had just ammunition enough -only for fifty men; but where were those fifty men—or if they were -in existence, where were the arms to use this ammunition with? They -had only seen a few guns and pistols, and putting them together, there -was not sufficient for a party to commit more than an ordinary highway -robbery with. Could it be supposed that it was ever intended to upset a -government, and dethrone a sovereign, by such means? Was there, taking -the evidence of those who appeared before them, recollecting that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> -others who might have been called were kept out of the way; was there, -he would ask, sufficient to shew that the object of the prisoners was -to upset the government and constitution of this country? He thought he -could shew, that their object was quite of another description.</p> - -<p>“Let the Jury look at the situation in which the prisoner at the bar -stood. They had, as was stated by the Attorney General, often before -heard of him. He had, not very long before the present transaction, -been released from Horsemonger-lane prison, where he had been confined -in consequence of a letter sent to my Lord Sidmouth. He came forth -from that prison with rancorous feelings against that noble lord, and -probably against others of his Majesty’s ministers; would not such a -man be a fit subject to work upon, in proposing an attack upon the -lives of those ministers? Must not the Jury suppose that the other -prisoners would have heated feelings, after the transaction which -took place at Manchester? He would not offer any comments upon that -transaction, further than to say, that all which was said and written -upon it, was not without an effect; and, on the minds of the prisoners, -would it be strange, that an artful and cunning man might work such -an effect as to excite them to the murder of his Majesty’s ministers, -which would not of itself amount to high treason? With their feelings -worked up, some of them with strong personal enmity against some of -those ministers, they had determined upon making an attack upon several -of them at their houses.</p> - -<p>“They were in this state, when forth came the never-to-be-forgotten -announcement in <i>The New Times</i>, placed there by the hand that was to -betray them, that a Cabinet dinner was to take place on the Wednesday -following at Lord Harrowby’s. Did not the whole of their conduct<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> -shew that it was against the ministers themselves that the attack was -intended, and not against the government, or with a view of effecting -a revolution? and was there not proof, that this personal feeling was -excited by some of the recent transactions at Manchester to which he -had alluded? What was the speech which Ings was to have made on the -arrival of the party at Lord Harrowby’s house, where the ministers -were expected to be assembled? ‘My lords, you see we have got men as -good as the Manchester yeomanry;’ and then, turning to his associates, -‘Citizens, advance, and do your duty!’</p> - -<p>“During the whole of these proceedings, nothing was heard of any -intended attack upon Carlton-House, or upon any of the branches of -the illustrious family of Brunswick. There was no such thing. The -whole which their preparations and intentions embraced, were—first, -the murder of his Majesty’s ministers, and then robbery. This was the -object of setting fire to some houses, that plunder might be obtained -in the confusion which might be thereby created.</p> - -<p>“These, to be sure, were heinous crimes, but they did not amount to -the charge of high treason against the prisoners. The setting fire -to buildings, with the intention of robbing in the confusion which -the fire would create, was not, unfortunately, a novel case. He was -old enough to remember, and perhaps some of the jury might also -recollect the circumstance of the setting fire to the premises of a -timber-merchant, in order to rob a pawn-broker’s shop, which was close -by it. Indeed, the manner in which some of the prisoners had spoken of -the shopkeepers of London, shewed that their object was plunder, and it -appeared that bags were made for the purpose of holding such plunder.</p> - -<p>“He had now gone through the whole of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> points on which it was his -intention to trouble the Jury. He had done so, perhaps, imperfectly, -but he would not apologize for the time which he had delayed them. He -had not, on this occasion, all the preparation which was desirable. On -the contrary, he had but a very short notice of the duty which he was -to perform; and, he remembered, on a former occasion, that one of the -most learned Counsel at the bar expressed his inadequacy to a similar -task, though he stated, that he had occupied a month in preparing for -the defence.</p> - -<p>“In pleading for the life of the unfortunate man at the bar, and, -after him, of the other prisoners, it was not too much for him to -ask the Jury to consider well the nature of the evidence which had -been given in support of the charge of high treason. He now, however, -left the case entirely with the Jury. If they thought, under all the -circumstances, that there was evidence sufficient to prove the charge, -then he should submit; but if, on the other hand, they were of opinion -that the case was not made out, or that it was not proved to their -satisfaction, they would, he was confident, acquit the prisoner.</p> - -<p>“The learned gentleman again expressed his own inability to give the -Jury a perfect direction on this important trial; and concluded by -praying that God might direct and enlighten their minds on the awful -occasion, so that they might administer impartial justice, always -remembering that the highest attribute of justice was mercy; and that, -whether the result of their verdict should be, that the prisoner -would only have a week to live, or run out his days to that length to -which Providence might please to extend them, it would be dictated by -justice, tempered with mercy.”</p> - -<p class="space-above">The <i>Lord Chief Justice</i> now addressed the prisoner, and said, if you -wish to offer any thing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> for yourself, in addition to what has been -said by your Counsel, you are at liberty so to do.</p> - -<p><i>Thistlewood.</i>—I wish, my Lord, to have two witnesses examined to the -testimony of Dwyer. There is a man in Court who will prove that Dwyer -extorted money from him.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief Justice</i>.—You must not state that; you should have -consulted with your Counsel. The time for giving evidence is now past.</p> - -<p><i>Thistlewood.</i>—I will waive it then, my Lord. I have nothing further -to offer.</p> - -<p class="space-above">The <span class="smcap">Solicitor-General</span> now commenced his reply. He said, -“That in rising to address the Jury in support of this prosecution, -he felt that he had a most anxious and painful duty to discharge. As -the servant of the public on this occasion, it was his duty to perform -the service with which that public had intrusted him to the utmost of -his ability and power. He was anxious, therefore, that nothing should -be omitted on his part for the purpose of presenting this case in a -fair and proper view before them. At the same time, he felt anxious -that, in the prosecution of what he was about to state, he should not -misrepresent a single fact, far less a single argument, against the -prisoner, or offer an observation which the justice of the case might -not fairly warrant.</p> - -<p>“He begged leave to join with his learned friend (Mr. Adolphus) in -praying the gentlemen of the Jury to dismiss from their minds all -prejudices and impressions unfavourable to the prisoner, and to confine -their attention solely and undividedly to the evidence which had been -laid before them, on the oaths of the witnesses whom they had heard. -In saying this, he was aware that it was superfluous and unnecessary. -He was addressing an English Jury—a body of men sworn to administer -justice to the public on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> one hand, and to the prisoner on the -other; and he ought to apologize for suggesting a doubt, that, in the -discharge of their momentous duty, they would not keep their eyes -steadily fixed on the evidence, upon which the fate of the person at -the bar must ultimately turn.</p> - -<p>“The situation in which the prisoner then stood was an admirable proof -of the excellent system of our laws, and of their being built and -formed upon the principles of liberty and freedom. They had had it not -only proved in evidence, but admitted by the Counsel for the prisoner, -that he had projected and harboured in his mind the assassination of -the confidential servants of the Crown.</p> - -<p>“They were aware of the passions and prejudices which were excited by -this discovery in the public mind, and they saw that this prosecution -was not commenced, nor was the unfortunate man placed upon his trial, -until an opportunity was afforded for those passions and prejudices to -subside. Independent of this, he was entitled to the delivery to him -of all the particulars of the accusation which he was called upon to -answer; and these particulars had been delivered to him at a period -so far back as three weeks from the present time. This indulgence -was granted to him, in order that he might have an opportunity of -consulting Counsel as to any point of law, or any objection which might -arise in his favour; and in order also that he might bring forward such -testimony as might be necessary to his defence. He had also a list -of all the Jurymen, who could by possibility be called to sit on his -trial, and these he might reject, without assigning a cause, to the -number of thirty-five.</p> - -<p>“On this account he was justified in saying, that the Jury whom he was -then addressing, whatever might be the result of their deliberations, -was a Jury of the prisoner’s own choice. The prisoner, also, had -received a list of the witnesses who were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> to be called by the Crown. -That list was furnished in order that he might have an opportunity -of inquiring into the previous character, history, and conduct of -every witness who might be called against him, and for the purpose of -enabling him to impeach their character, if his inquiry should enable -him so to do. Such was the benevolent spirit of the British law; and -such the advantages to which a man, placed in the situation of the -prisoner, was entitled.</p> - -<p>“The charge against the prisoner was, that of having conspired to -overturn the Constitution under which that system of Government -existed. It was a question whether the substitution of the Government -which he might have contemplated, would have been distinguished by -a character of so admirable a description. He had no doubt that the -Jury would pay that anxious and careful attention to this case which -its importance demanded, and that they would not come to a verdict of -Guilty, unless they were satisfied that that verdict was justified -by the clearest evidence. But, at the same time, he called upon them -to perform their duty, fearless of all consequences; to turn neither -to the right nor to the left, but to pronounce such a verdict as was -consistent with a proper feeling towards their country, and with a due -regard to the solemn obligation into which they had entered.</p> - -<p>“With respect to the law upon the subject, it was not necessary to -trouble them with any observation. In the charge against the prisoner -there was nothing of a difficult or questionable description. He was -charged with conspiring for the purpose of overturning the Government -of the country, and with endeavouring to accomplish that by means of -the assassination of his Majesty’s Ministers. If the Jury, upon a due -and careful examination of the evidence, were satisfied that he had so -conspired, and that he had been found<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> taking measures to accomplish -that object, then, in point of law, he was guilty of the crime imputed -to him. It was admitted on all hands that a plot had been formed to -assassinate the Ministers of the King, and not to assassinate one, -two, or three, of those individuals against whom the prisoner might -be supposed to have some personal enmity. The blow had been aimed not -against one, but against all.</p> - -<p>“The Jury would consider whether such an intention was founded with a -view to overturn the Government of the country; or, whether, as had -been fancifully surmised by the Counsel for the prisoner, the sole -object had been the plunder of private property, and the gratification -of private revenge. They would look with jealousy to the testimony -which had been adduced before them, and upon that they would conclude -whether the steps which had been taken were directed by the desire of -promoting revolution, or solely with a view of obtaining plunder in the -confusion which would necessarily follow.</p> - -<p>“In considering the evidence of an accomplice, they would naturally -look to his previous character; they would see whether there was any -thing in his former course of life, from whence to conclude that he was -a man capable of pursuing a continued and undeviating course of crime; -but, above all, they would consider from all the circumstances of the -case, what degree of credit ought fairly to be given to his evidence. -He knew of no law that applied to accomplices, which did not apply to -every other witness who came into a Court of Justice.</p> - -<p>“The evidence of every witness ought to be examined with care and -jealousy, and in proportion only as his story was consistent with -probability was he entitled to belief. Now let them look to the fair -test upon which the evidence of Adams was to be tried. His character, -up to the time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> of his entering into the diabolical schemes of the -prisoner, was unimpeached; and, if any thing could be urged on that -score, no doubt the prisoner Brunt, with whom he had been intimately -acquainted, would not fail to have adduced it. In so much, therefore, -he stood upon fair and eligible grounds.</p> - -<p>“Then they would ask themselves, what interest he could have in stating -that which was not true? The more criminal the plot which he disclosed, -the blacker hue he gave to his own reputation; and, added to this, he -knew that, from the candour and correctness of his confession could he -alone hope for mercy towards himself. Then he must be aware, that if he -stated that which was false, his story was capable of contradiction, -and therefore altogether fruitless. So that, in every point of view, he -was a competent witness. As was before said, however, the Jury still -had the power of exercising their own sound discretion, and of placing -in him only that degree of confidence which he seemed to deserve, and -which the confirmation he had received fairly justified.</p> - -<p>“The learned counsel for the prisoner had made use of the gratuitous -expression, that this man, Adams, was the only witness to prove the -case. Was this the fact? Were there not three other witnesses who -all spoke to the same occurrences; he alluded to Monument, Hiden, -and Dwyer; the two latter of whom were, in all respects pure and -uncontaminated; for what had been said of Dwyer was absolutely beneath -consideration. These men were all unknown to each other—had never seen -each other—and yet they all agreed in their story as to the plan for -assassinating his Majesty’s Ministers, seizing cannon, providing arms, -burning houses, and establishing a provisional government. Independent -of these, a variety of other witnesses had been examined,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> who spoke to -points trivial in themselves, but all confirmatory of Adams, and, as it -were, completely dovetailing with the most minute parts of his story.</p> - -<p>“This was the case with regard to Brunt’s apprentice; to the landlady -of the house in which Brunt lived, and her daughter; to the officers by -whom Brunt’s house had been searched; and even to Tidd’s own daughter, -whose story was precisely consistent with the plan which had been -detailed, but which had been so providentially frustrated. In fact, -each witness formed a link in the general chain, which was complete in -all its parts. But there was a still stronger argument in favour of all -that had been stated, and that was, that it had not been contradicted -by evidence, although such evidence was capable of being produced. -For, if what Adams had disclosed was not true, why were Potter, and -Cook, and Palin, to all of whom he spoke as having been present at the -various meetings which took place, and who were eligible witnesses for -the prisoner, not called.</p> - -<p>“The absence of these men afforded an additional reason for giving -implicit belief to all which the witnesses for the crown had said. The -learned gentleman then proceeded in a luminous and eloquent strain, -still farther to illustrate his argument, and with great ingenuity -to contend that it was impossible, under all the circumstances of -the case, for the Jury to come to any other conclusion than that the -several charges of high treason imputed to the prisoner had been -established beyond all doubt. If, however, as had been said by his -learned friend (Mr. Adolphus) any doubt did exist, to the benefit of -that doubt the prisoner was fully entitled.”</p> - -<p>Lord Chief-Justice Abbot proceeded to sum up. “This, he said, was -an indictment against Arthur Thistlewood, the prisoner then at the -bar,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> and several other persons, who, in the progress of the trial, -had appeared at the bar, in order to be identified for the crime of -<span class="smcap">High Treason</span>. That offence had truly been stated as the -highest crime known to the law. It was so, because it did not merely -produce individual and private evil, as most other crimes did, but, in -addition to that, it created great and extensive public mischief.</p> - -<p>“A charge so grave and serious required therefore, at the hands of an -English Jury (and would, he was sure, from what he had seen, receive) -the most mature and patient consideration. The charge, as it stood in -the indictment, consisted of several counts. First, conspiring and -imagining to depose the King; 2d, conspiring and imagining to put the -King to death; 3d, conspiring and imagining to levy war against the -King, in order to compel him to change his councils; and 4th, actually -levying war against the King.</p> - -<p>“Two of these offences, conspiring the deposition of the Monarch, -and levying war against him, were declared to be treason, by a -statute passed so long ago as the reign of Edward the Third. In the -construction of that statute, it had been held, not only in many cases -decided in this country, but also in the opinion delivered to us by -various learned writers on this law, that all conspiracies and attempts -to depose his Majesty, and all conspiracies to levy war against him, -were treasonable, and must be considered as overt acts, proving an -intention to take away his life; because, as historical experience -showed, the death of a sovereign generally followed the loss of his -kingly authority.</p> - -<p>“But, in order to remove any mistake that persons might fall into on -this subject, a statute was passed in the reign of his late Majesty, -similar in substance, and nearly so in language,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> to statutes that -had been enacted in former years, but which had expired. By that -statute, the conspiring or compassing to depose the King, or to levy -war against him, were declared to be substantive treasons. Some of the -persons called before them on this occasion were represented, and truly -represented, to have been accomplices in this traitorous design. This -character did not, however, apply to all the witnesses who had been -brought forward.</p> - -<p>“Much observation had been made on the degree of credit that ought to -be given to persons, who admitted that they had joined in the design. -On this point he should only say, that, according to the law of this -country, and, he believed, of every other country, accomplices were -considered competent witnesses; but the credit that should be given to -them was matter of consideration. The evidence of an accomplice was to -be weighed, with reference to the probability of the story he told, the -confirmation of it, so far as it was capable of confirmation, and the -absence of that contradiction which might be adduced, if the story were -false.</p> - -<p>“There was, however, no rule of law which said, that the testimony of -an accomplice ought to be credited; neither was there any rule of law -which declared that it must be rejected. To declare the latter would be -to open the door, and give the greatest latitude and impunity to crime. -For, as had been said by the learned counsel for the prosecution, if -such a doctrine were acted on, bad men would feel that they might -proceed in their base designs with perfect security, and they would -trust each other without reserve; whereas bad men now distrusted each -other. They were afraid of detection; and that distrust prevented the -commission of many offences which could not be perpetrated without the -assistance of several persons. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Having made these general observations, to direct their attention -to the evidence, he would now, some hours having elapsed since the -witnesses were heard, read to the Jury such parts of the testimony as -were necessary for their consideration in coming to a decision. [Here -his Lordship proceeded to recapitulate the evidence, briefly commenting -on it as he went on.]</p> - -<p>“The first witness was R. Adams, who undoubtedly stood in the situation -of an accomplice. But, if the story he told were false, there were -several persons mentioned by him, and they could have been brought -forward to disprove his statement, and to discharge themselves of the -crime imputed to them, if they were innocent, but whom the Crown could -not compel to appear. This witness said, that the officers, when they -entered the room in Cato-street, cried out, ‘Here’s a pretty nest of -you; we have a warrant to take you all;’ and the officers swore they -only called out, ‘We are officers—surrender.’ This difference was not -material. The two expressions were nearly the same in import; and, in -the scene of confusion which undoubtedly occurred on the entrance of -the officers, it was very possible that a mistake might arise as to the -exact expression used.</p> - -<p>“That part of the evidence, in which Adams described his irresolution, -gave, his Lordship observed, the exact picture of a man of weak mind, -not knowing whether he should go on or recede—balancing whether he -should remain true to his associates, or make a discovery—and who, -when taken into custody, did come to the resolution to disclose all he -knew. If his testimony were true in substance and general effect, it -proved not only a determination to assassinate his Majesty’s Ministers, -but shewed to them that that was only a part of a more extended -and general plan, which embraced the seizure of arms, the taking -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>possession of the Mansion-house, and the forming of a Provisional -Government; a plan formed on some vain expectation, that, if the blow -were ever struck, there were a great number of people in the metropolis -who would readily join in the scheme, and levy war against his Majesty. -Such an expectation was vain then, and he hoped would ever be found so -when such treasonable attempts were made.</p> - -<p>“This witness mentioned a man, named Edwards. Why he was not examined -his Lordship could not say. Perhaps the prosecutors did not wish to -call him for very good reasons. How far the Jury would disbelieve Adams -on that account, it was for them to say. What he had remarked on the -evidence of this witness, he was sorry to say, was considerably against -the prisoner. As to the character of Adams, before this transaction, -they knew nothing. No person had said any thing about it. Hyden was a -witness of a very different description; for he, it appeared, disclosed -all he knew, early enough to prevent the mischief that was meditated.</p> - -<p>“John Monument, another accomplice, corroborated Adams. He stated -that the prisoner said to him, ‘Great events are at hand; the people -everywhere are anxious for a change.’ This observation shewed that the -assassination of Ministers was not the sole and only object of the -parties. The evidence of Thomas Dwyer, as far as it went, confirmed -the testimony of those who were examined before him. If his statement -were correct, the prisoner told him the general plan and object which -he and his associates had in view. These were the four witnesses -called to explain the designs of the accused parties. Two of them were -accomplices; but, in general, none but accomplices could be acquainted -with such foul and illegal designs. The two other witnesses did not -stand in the same situation. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>Communications were made to them, on -the subject of the conspiracy, it appeared, with little reserve;—a -circumstance of which the Jury were to judge.</p> - -<p>“A great many other persons had been called, chiefly for the purpose -of confirming the testimony given by these witnesses; for, if they had -spoken to truth, without farther evidence to the facts, treason was -undoubtedly proved. They proved the intention to levy war, to form a -Provisional Government, and, of course, to change the Government as by -law established. Eliza Walker proved that the prisoner Brunt had hired -a lodging for Ings in the house where he resided; and Joseph Hale, -Brunt’s apprentice, deposed to the meetings that were held from time -to time in Brunt’s room. He proved that meetings were held there every -evening, and that grenades, fire-balls, and pikes, were on the premises.</p> - -<p>“Thomas Sharp, a watchman, deposed, that he saw four suspicious -persons, on the 22d of February, watching about Lord Harrowby’s house. -Morrison, a cutler, proved that Ings brought him two swords to sharpen, -and a sword found at Cato-street appeared to be one of them. Alderson, -a pawnbroker, deposed, that, on the 23d of February, Davidson took a -blunderbuss out of pawn. Thomas Monument, the brother of John confirmed -his testimony in several points. This was the evidence confirmatory of -the testimony of the first four witnesses. Many of the facts stated by -Adams were spoken to by them; but the treasonable purpose could not be -well proved, except by accomplices. Information on that point could -scarcely be expected from a pure source. Hyden was a witness of that -description; but Dwyer, to a certain degree, was not.</p> - -<p>“The prosecutors then called persons to prove what occurred at the -stable in Cato-street; and Captain Fitzclarence, and several Bow-street -officers, gave a detailed account of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>transactions there. It did -not appear to him necessary that he should go, in detail, through the -testimony of these witnesses. It was not necessary to inquire by what -particular hand a gun or a pistol was fired; but it was material to -observe, that, when the officers did come, many at least of the persons -present made a most desperate resistance. A knife, said to belong to -Ings, was found on the premises; and two bags and a case-knife were -found on his person. The bags were important; because it was sworn that -he stated the purpose for which he brought them. It was argued by the -Counsel for the defendant, that they were meant for the reception of -plunder, and not for the horrible purpose that had been stated; but -this did not invalidate the testimony of Adams, because Ings might not -have wished to declare that he meant to put plate in the bags; and, if -so he might have said, what he was sworn to have uttered, as a reason -for carrying them. This closed the evidence for the Crown.</p> - -<p>“On the part of the prisoners, Mary Baker was called, who, the Jury -would recollect, was not cross-examined. This arose from a commendable -delicacy, on account of the near relationship in which she stood to one -of the prisoners. The Jury would say, whether her evidence went at all -to shake the case. Indeed, it appeared from her statement, that she had -seen at Tidd’s lodgings instruments similar to those produced in Court. -A man named Hucklestone was then called, to prove that Dwyer was not -to be believed on his oath; and he stated, that he thought he was not -worthy of belief, because Dwyer had informed him that he procured money -by base accusations. This however, was entirely contradicted by Dwyer; -and it was for the Jury to say which of the two witnesses was entitled -to their credit.</p> - -<p>“The Jury would also consider the character and bearing of the -evidence of Doane and Mitchell,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> with respect to the paragraph in <i>The -New Times</i>, announcing a cabinet dinner at Lord Harrowby’s, which, -according to Whittaker, was not on the same day in any other newspaper -in London. It was, however, a matter of no consequence how it found -its way into the paper, since it was proved that cabinet dinner was -intended to be given on the 23d of February. This was the whole of the -evidence on each side. No witness was called to impeach the veracity -of Adams, Hyden, and Monument. And if they gave credit to any one of -those persons, (even to Hyden, who supported what the others told them, -and whose account, though more concise than theirs, was the same in -effect), they must find a verdict against the prisoner.</p> - -<p>“Besides the testimony of the witnesses, they had seen on the table a -considerable quantity of arms, which were proved to have been found -in Cato-street, and at the lodgings of one of the prisoners. It was -almost conceded, that a conspiracy was entered into for the purpose of -assassinating his Majesty’s Ministers at Lord Harrowby’s house. Indeed -there could be little doubt of it.</p> - -<p>“If then it were admitted that this most wicked scheme was entertained, -it was for them to consider whether it could reasonably be supposed -that that was all which was intended? They were to consider, what was -the probability that those persons, unconnected in any respect with -each other, except so far as this plan brought them together—and -certainly quite unconnected with the persons who conducted the affairs -of his Majesty’s Government—did not view that assassination as part -of a scheme, having for its object a general and tumultuous rising of -the people, to levy war against the King; or whether they conspired to -effect that assassination alone?</p> - -<p>“Whether they adopted this plan to satisfy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> their thirst for blood, or -to accomplish that ulterior scheme to which the witnesses had spoken? -In deciding this question, it was fit that the Jury should attend to -the great quantity, as well as the nature of the instruments produced. -They certainly were far more in number than could have been wanted, or -used in the abominable attempt that was to be made at Lord Harrowby’s. -Some of them could not have been used there at all. The hand-grenades -might have been thrown, but the fire-balls could not have been used -for the purpose which they meant to effect at that house. When those -dangerous articles were found, some at one place and some at another, -it was for the Jury to take the circumstance into their serious -consideration.</p> - -<p>“If, on a view of the whole case, they, as just and conscientious men, -felt satisfied that a conspiracy to levy war was made out in proof -before them, if their minds were freed from all doubt on the subject, -they would, he was convinced, discharge the painful duty that devolved -on them with proper firmness. But if, after a due examination of all -the circumstances, and after attending to the observations of the very -eloquent counsel, who had addressed them on the part of the prisoner, -first and last, their minds were not satisfied that the case was -proved, they would discharge the more pleasant duty of acquitting the -prisoner. The case was now in their hands; and he doubted not but their -verdict would be consonant with the principles of justice.”</p> - -<p class="space-above">The Jury then retired; but, in a few minutes returned into court, and -requested his lordship to read to them the Act of the 36th of Geo. III.</p> - -<p>Lord Chief-Justice Abbot said, he meant to hand it to them; but he -would, in the first place, state, that, by the terms of the statute, -it was to continue in force during the life of his late <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>Majesty, and -till the end of the next session of Parliament: therefore the Act had -not expired when the alleged conspiracy was discovered. But, if it ever -had expired, it would have been of no consequence, since, by a late Act -of Parliament, the statute of the 36th of Geo. III. was made perpetual. -His lordship then read the Act, and particularly pointed out the clause -which made it treason—“to compass, imagine, invent, devise, or intend -to deprive or depose the King from the style, honour, and kingly -name of the imperial crown of this realm; or to levy war against him -within this realm, in order to compel him to change his councils.” His -lordship observed, that it seemed to be admitted by the Counsel on both -sides, that if the project stated on the part of the prosecution were -proved, it fell within the meaning of this Act; for, if a Provisional -Government were formed, the royal style must of necessity cease. To -levy war did not require soldiers drawn up in military array. It was -sufficient if a number of people met to do some public act, in which -they had no private interest, but which affected the country at large. -Devising to force the King to change his measures was always considered -a levying of war, under the old statute of Edward III.</p> - -<p>The Jury again retired, and, in about a quarter of an hour, returned -with a verdict of—GUILTY, ON THE THIRD and FOURTH COUNTS OF THE -INDICTMENT. That is to say, on those counts which charged the prisoner -with conspiring to levy war, and with the actual levying of war against -the King.</p> - -<p>The verdict, which was in some measure anticipated, was received by the -Court in perfect silence; and the wretched man was taken from the bar, -surrounded by several officers.</p> - -<p>Throughout the trial he had maintained the greatest composure, but -during the absence of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> Jury he seemed poignantly to feel the -melancholy situation in which he was placed. The candid avowal, -however, of his Counsel, as to his ultimate fate upon the indictments -for murder, had left him no hope of escape of an ignominious death.</p> - -<p>When taken back to the cell, he seemed to be absorbed in the melancholy -contemplation of his approaching fate, which he of course felt was -irrevocably sealed. He scarcely uttered a single word to those by whom -he was accompanied, but threw himself into a chair, and appeared to be -entirely abstracted from all about him. He partook of some refreshment, -but was unable to recover his spirits.</p> - -<p>In the course of the evening he asked for a glass of wine, which Mr. -Brown instantly sent to him.</p> - -<p>It appeared that up to the last moment, Thistlewood confidently -anticipated an acquittal, as indeed did many persons of respectability -who were in Court. The speech of Mr. Adolphus had a powerful effect -upon his auditors; but the reply of the Solicitor-General at once -dissipated the momentary impression which he had made.</p> - -<p>It was observed that a number of persons were collected in the -neighbourhood of the Sessions-house, who were known to have been -constant attendants at the Smithfield, Spa-fields, and Finsbury -Meetings. Some of these intimated an intention to give three cheers if -the verdict was such as they expected; but upon the real verdict being -announced, they departed with strong manifestations of disappointment.</p> - -<p class="space-above">At the termination of Thistlewood’s trial, the Court was adjourned till -the following Friday, the 21st of April.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span></p> - -<h2>TRIAL OF JAMES INGS.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="bold">SESSIONS-HOUSE, OLD BAILEY.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center"><i>First Day, Friday, April 21, 1820.</i></p> - -<p>At eight o’clock in the morning the jurymen, who had been summoned, -arrived at the Sessions-house, and, at nine, Lord Chief Justice Dallas, -Chief Baron Richards, Mr. Justice Richardson, and the Common Sergeant, -took their seats.</p> - -<p>The prisoner, James Ings, was then put to the bar; he seemed to labour -under strong feelings of agitation and had none of that firmness of -aspect which he displayed on the former days: he was dressed in a suit -of black.</p> - -<p>Mr. Shelton, the clerk of the arraigns, proceeded to call over the list -of the jurymen, commencing at the name with which he had terminated, -when the jury in Thistlewood’s case was impanelled.</p> - -<p>After a considerable number of challenges, both on the part of the -crown and of the prisoner, the following jury was finally impanelled -and sworn:</p> - -<blockquote><p>Charles Palmer,<br /> -William Moore,<br /> -Thomas Beecham,<br /> -John Beck,<br /> -Benjamin Rogers,<br /> -James Carey,<br /> -George Smith,<br /> -James Eade,<br /> -Benjamin Blythe,<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span>William Percy,<br /> -John Young,<br /> -William Edgecombe.</p></blockquote> - -<p>Mr. Shelton then proceeded to read the indictment against the prisoner, -which was the same already described in the case of Arthur Thistlewood.</p> - -<p>Mr. Bolland, at a few minutes after ten, opened the indictment in the -usual way to the Jury.</p> - -<p>The Solicitor-General rose at ten o’clock to address the Jury for the -prosecution. “It was hardly necessary for him, he said, to entreat -their serious and patient attention to the statement he had to make -to them in the performance of his duty: they owed it to themselves, -to their country, and, above all, to the prisoner at the bar. In -justice to him, there was one fact now known, and to which he might -without impropriety allude. One of the parties in this conspiracy had -been already convicted. That circumstance they were bound not to let -operate to the prejudice of this prisoner; towards his part of the -offence they were bound to look, not through the medium of any thing -that had already passed in that Court, but solely through that which -would this day be laid before them in evidence; to that alone they were -to direct their attention, and by that must they form their opinion -of the guilt or innocence of the prisoner. On the law of the case it -would be unnecessary for him to make a single observation, for upon it -not a single objection, not a single doubt, had been stated since this -commission had sat. The charge against the prisoner, divested of all -technicalities, was simply this, that he had conspired with others, -by force and violence, to overthrow the laws and constitution of the -country. This was to be effected by an extensive plan of assassination, -and by other means which he should hereafter mention. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span></p> - -<p>“In behalf of the prosecution, he would plainly and simply narrate the -facts as he knew they would be proved in evidence. He would narrate -them without the smallest exaggeration or distortion of facts. The best -gift and pride of the people was the pure and impartial administration -of the laws of this country, and he would state the facts as they -would soon hear them in evidence, and leave them to decide upon their -applicability to the prisoner.”</p> - -<p>The Solicitor-General then detailed the evidence he had to adduce -against the prisoner; it was exactly as it is subsequently given by -the witnesses, and corresponded entirely with that given already on -the trial of Thistlewood. When the learned gentleman came to that -part of the evidence which described the conflagration that was to -have been made on the night of the intended assassination, and the -proclamations which were to have been posted up on the night of the -intended assassination, calling on the friends of liberty to meet, -for their tyrants, meaning the members of his Majesty’s government, -were murdered, and in which they were called upon to rally round the -provisional government which was then sitting; he observed, “what would -not have been the situation of this great metropolis if this dreadful -project had been carried into effect?</p> - -<p>“The people would have seen pieces of artillery moving in different -directions; they would have seen a general conflagration; they would -have heard of a provisional government, and that too rendered perhaps -more terrible by the ignorance of the people who were to compose it. -It was impossible to judge what would have been the result of such -a notification. He was, indeed, willing to believe, that the people -of this country were too sound to be effectively invited to rally -round men whose projects were introduced to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> them by the horrible and -atrocious crimes of assassination and murder. He trusted that hitherto, -at least the natural indignation of Englishmen would revolt at any -propositions coming from such a source, and to be sustained by such -diabolical means.”</p> - -<p>After detailing very minutely the evidence he meant to give against -the prisoners (as it is hereafter detailed), he informed the Jury -they must hear it from one or more accomplices; on the extent of -whose credibility he made similar observations to those made by -the Attorney-General in his opening speech on Thistlewood’s trial, -and dwelt on the comparative impunity with which dark and secret -conspiracies would escape, if the evidence of an accomplice were not -admissible.</p> - -<p>“But even without this testimony, they had the unimpeachable evidence -of Hyden, and also a number of facts which spoke for themselves; and he -would here ask, could any assignable cause be given for the meeting in -Cato-street—the ammunition—the arms—but that given by the evidence -which they would hear? He then observed, that it was not because the -plot was contemptible and ill-formed, and left so much to hazard, that -therefore its existence was to be disbelieved, the history of all -plots was of the same description; they were generally characteristic -of a total want of foresight and prudence, but though wild, though -extravagant, yet if the project had existence, and they were satisfied -of the prisoner being a party to it, then they must be prepared, if the -evidence carried conviction to their minds, to bring in a verdict of -guilty against the prisoner, without any reference to the consequences -of that verdict.”</p> - -<p>The learned Solicitor’s speech occupied an hour and ten minutes in the -delivery.</p> - -<p>The following prisoners were then put to the bar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> with Ings, to be -identified: Davidson, Brunt, Tidd, Harrison, Bradburne, Strange, -Gilchrist, and Wilson.</p> - -<p class="center">EVIDENCE FOR THE CROWN.</p> - -<p>The witnesses to support the case thus described were then called; -but much of their testimony was similar to that given in the trial of -Thistlewood. We, therefore, confine ourselves as much as possible to -the new facts which came out, and which applied immediately to the -conduct of the prisoner.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Robert Adams</span> was first called, and examined by the -Attorney-General. His testimony was almost in all respects similar to -that on the former trial. He added, that he heard that the pike-staves -which he saw in the room in Fox-court were quite green; he understood -they had been brought from over the water; Ings said he had brought -them. The same evening Ings drew a pistol from his pocket. There was a -conversation about the illness of the present King; Thistlewood said he -would rather the new King lived a little while longer, but it was not -their intention he should ever wear the crown.</p> - -<p>On this occasion Ings said, that the day the Prince Regent last went to -Parliament, he himself went to the Park with a pistol in his pocket, -with the sole intention to shoot him; and as a test of his sincerity, -he said, “there’s the pistol I took with me,” alluding to the pistol -he had previously produced. He regretted he had not done it, and if he -had, he should not have cared a farthing for his own life. Witness saw -Ings at all the subsequent meetings.</p> - -<p>On the meeting held about the time of the King’s funeral, when the -plan for a rising was talked of, during the absence of the horse and -foot guards, it was Ings and Brunt that said, nothing short of the -assassination of the King’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> ministers would satisfy them. Ings said, -with his blood all of a boil, “that he must have them, (the ministers,) -if possible, before the parliament was dissolved.”</p> - -<p>On the meeting held on Saturday the 20th of February, at which Tidd -took the chair, with a pike in his hand, and at which Thistlewood -proposed the murder of the ministers in detail, Ings was present, and -said, “whoever has the lot to murder Lord Castlereagh, I am the man to -turn out to murder that thief!”</p> - -<p>On the Tuesday, at the meeting at Brunt’s, witness saw Ings pull three -daggers from out of his pocket: he was asked what was the purpose of -pulling out these daggers? When he seized one, and making a sort of a -rush, and a motion with his arm, said, with an exclamation, to “run -into their —— bodies.” After Edwards had communicated the paragraph -in <i>The New Times</i>, respecting the cabinet dinner on the Wednesday, -and after Brunt declared his belief in a God, from his prayers being -answered in bringing the ministers together, Ings exclaimed with -exultation, that “he should have a better opportunity of cutting off -Lord Castlereagh’s head.”</p> - -<p>“It was subsequently arranged, that Ings should head the party to go -into the room in which the ministers were assembled. He was to cut off -Lord Castlereagh’s and Lord Sidmouth’s heads, and to bring them away. -He was also to cut off Lord Castlereagh’s hand, which he was to cure -(pickle), as it would be thought a great deal of at a future day.” He -was to be armed with a pair of pistols and a butcher’s knife.</p> - -<p>The same afternoon, Ings was employed in making fire-balls to set fire -to the different buildings; Edwards was making fusees to the grenades. -On Wednesday evening, February the 23d, the proclamation, written by -Thistlewood, was signed “James Ings, Secretary.” </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p> - -<p>Witness then described Ings’s preparation for action, his brandishing -his knife, and his sanguinary declarations that he would cut off the -heads of his Majesty’s ministers, and bring away the heads of Lord -Castlereagh and Lord Sidmouth in his bags. The handle of his knife, he -said, he had bound round with wax-end, “in order to prevent his hand -from slipping while he was at work.”</p> - -<p>The witness then proceeded to detail the well-known occurrences in -Cato-street, and the part which Ings took therein. He swore he would -rather die or hang himself than not do the job that night.</p> - -<p>In cross-examination by Mr. Adolphus, witness said, I was born at -Ipswich; I am now a Christian; there was a time when I was not a -Christian; I was then a man in the same form as now. I was what -they termed a Deist. I believed in God. I renounced Christianity -and believed only in God. I re-commenced Christian after the 23d of -February. I renounced my faith as a Christian last August. I never -pronounced my disbelief in God—nor ever denied Christ, till I read -that cursed work of Paine’s! I never was an Atheist, but always -believed in a God. I have no pension.</p> - -<p>The paper produced is my hand-writing; I was examined here on Monday, -and have since been in Coldbath-fields. I have had no communication -with any body. I have had a room in the house of the Governor; I have -seen nobody that has told me any part of the proceedings in this Court. -During the days when I was here, I was kept in a room by myself. Heard -nothing of the progress of the proceedings, except the conviction of -Thistlewood. I had known Edwards from the first part of January. From -the time I joined Brunt and the others, I never intended to commit -murder, nor to give information; I intended to wait for an opportunity -to see if any thing enabled me to creep out of it;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> I was prevented -from creeping out, from threats that had been held out; I was not -disposed to plunder the shops, although I was in a society that were so -disposed.</p> - -<p>Before I went into prison, I was asking Brunt what was the plan that -was first drawn out? Brunt said that nothing would be communicated till -the day of action, and then the men would be called together, receive a -treat, and be told what was to be done; after which they would not be -lost sight of. Brunt said, if he had any suspicion of any one giving -information, he would run him through. This was on the 16th of January. -When I was examined on Monday, it did not come to my recollection about -Ings telling of shooting the Prince Regent.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Gurney</span>: We studiously passed over certain points of the -evidence for the purpose of shortening it.</p> - -<p>The Witness: I can tell many things, if I am asked, that I did not tell -on Monday. If any thing fresh comes to my mind as I stand here I’ll -tell it. There were things that transpired that I did not state last -Monday, and that I have not stated to-day. I had no personal knowledge -of Monument. I can be answerable, that there was one candle in the room.</p> - -<p>I did not see more than one a-light. If a man spoke the truth, he could -not say there were eight candles in the room. If any man said there -was, I should say he was a false man. I cannot be answerable for every -word which passed.</p> - -<p>I always found Mr. Edwards very deep, and very deep in conversation -with Brunt and Thistlewood.</p> - -<p>There was a shot-hole in my coat from a pistol that was fired from the -window, when I was escaping from the stable.</p> - -<p>I do not know a man of the name of Chambers. I never called upon a -person of that name in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> company with Edwards. I did call with Edwards -upon a woman at Pimlico, to buy a pair of boots. On that day I did not -call upon any man of the name of Chambers to solicit him to kill his -Majesty’s ministers. I never said I would kill his Majesty’s ministers, -and have blood and wine for my supper. I never had any conversation -with any body to use Cashman as a watchword.</p> - -<p>After the affair at Cato-street I did not take any ammunition away -with me from Cato-street. Hall gave me a pistol and live rounds of -ball-cartridges. I loaded the pistol, and laid it on the bench; I did -not touch it again; and threw the four ball-cartridges away in the room.</p> - -<p>I never carried the large hand-grenade. I cannot say that I can charge -my memory with a score of words which Edwards ever said; whatever he -said was always in a side-winded way amongst themselves.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Eleanor Walker</span>, on being examined by Mr. Gurney, gave similar -evidence to that given by her on the former occasion.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Mary Rogers</span>, Joseph Hale (apprentice to Brunt), Thomas Smart -(watchman in Grosvenor-square), C. Bissex (also a watchman for the -same place), Frederick Gillan, John Hector Morrison (journeyman to Mr. -Underwood, the cutler, in Drury-lane), Edward Simpson (corporal-major -of the 2d Life-Guards), and James Aldous (pawnbroker), also detailed -the same facts to which they before deposed.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Hyden</span>, the man who gave the information to Lord -Harrowby, recapitulated the facts proved on the former trial.</p> - -<p>In cross-examination, he said, he had been formerly a gentleman’s -servant; that was six years ago. He lived with Colonel Bridges last. He -might have lived with him a month or more. He could not certainly say. -He had lived in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> Manchester-mews for five years. He had not been there -all the time himself. He was away two or three months.</p> - -<p>He was now in the Marshalsea; he was not ashamed of the place. It was -for a debt of eighteen pounds, and due to Mr. Powell, a milkman. He -went into prison last Saturday, on execution. He had been sued at the -beginning of last summer. I was at home at different times in June, -July, and August, at Manchester-mews. My family were there till last -Saturday. I said on Tuesday last I lived in Manchester-mews. I am -living now at this place where I stand. My family goes there now two or -three times a day. I have known Davidson three or four months. I do not -know Mr. Edwards.</p> - -<p>I know a person of the name of Edwards. I know a good many persons two -hundred miles in the country. I have been to the Scotch Arms, in some -small court somewhere down by the Strand. I was there twice, to the -shoemakers’ club, with a friend of the name of Clarke, a master-tailor. -It was reported to be a shoemakers’ club. I am not able to say whether -politics and the affairs of the State were the topics of discussion.</p> - -<p>I never was at any of the meetings in Fox-court. I knew nothing of the -affair in Cato-street till told by Wilson; I was to get the cream for -a family in Princes-street, Cavendish-square. I have served them about -three years, but I do not know their name. My wife brought home the -order for the cream. I have been at the house, but I do not know when. -It was the first time I saw Wilson; he said to me that I need not be -alarmed, for a gentleman’s servant furnished money. He said this more -than twice.</p> - -<p>Re-examined: My family continued to carry on my business in -Manchester-mews till Saturday last, when I was arrested. As far as I -know my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> family have possession of the premises now. I believe the -house in Princes-street is No. 6. My wife serves the family sometimes; -I have been there; I believe the house to be the front door going from -Cavendish-square towards Oxford-street.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Lord Harrowby</span> appeared on the right of the Bench, and spoke -to the interruption of cabinet dinners, and the issuing of cards of -invitation for the 23d. His Lordship named the company who were to be -present. His Lordship then stated the receipt of Hyden’s communication, -and the change of arrangements adopted in consequence.</p> - -<p>His Lordship, in cross-examination by Mr. Curwood, said, he had not -personally known any thing of it before; but he had heard a long time -antecedently, that something of this nature was to be attempted.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Baker</span> corroborated the testimony of Lord Harrowby as to -the intended cabinet dinner.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Monument</span> was next examined, and was again conducted -into Court in the charge of two of the yeomen warders of the Court. -His evidence in chief was precisely the same as that which he gave on -Thistlewood’s trial.</p> - -<p>In cross-examination, witness said, that Thistlewood remarked, that -every man would have equal honour with myself. I went to Cato-street -for fear. I was foolish, for I certainly went there without knowing -what I was to do. I thought they were going to the House of Commons. -When I was told by Brunt they were going to a cabinet dinner, I fully -thought they were going to destroy the ministers, and yet I went. I -went to Tidd’s, because I was afraid. I cannot tell why I did not go to -a magistrate to tell my fears. My intention was, when I got into the -room and found out what they were going about, to run away.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Monument</span> confirmed the last witness in every -particular. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruthven</span> repeated his former testimony. In cross-examination, -he said, he had no doubt there were four or five lights in the loft, -and others in the little room.</p> - -<p>James Ellis, William Westcott, Luke Nixon, Joseph Champion, John -Wright, and William Charles Brooks, police officers, likewise repeated -their former testimony.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Capt. Fitzclarence.</span>—The first thing he saw was a police -officer, who cried out, “Soldiers, soldiers; stable door, stable door!” -He was met by two men at the door, one having a pistol, another a -sword. He followed one of them into the stable, and took him.</p> - -<p>Serjeant <span class="smcap">William Legg</span>, of the 2d regiment of Coldstream -Guards, was at Cato-street; saw the pistol levelled at Captain -Fitzclarence, and seized it, when it went off. It was Tidd who levelled -it. He took him into custody. He saw above on the loft, Cooper, -Gilchrist, and Monument.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Hercules Taunton</span> gave evidence of the seizures made at Brunt’s -and Tidd’s.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Adolphus.—A reward had been offered for the -apprehension of Palin. He was not apprehended, nor Potter, nor Cook.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Daniel Bishop</span> was called, but not being in attendance, his -examination and the production of the various articles seized was -postponed till to-morrow morning, and the Court adjourned at eight -o’clock.</p> - -<p>The Jury were then, as in the former case of Thistlewood’s trial, -placed in a room by themselves, and not permitted to have conversation -with any person whatever.</p> - -<p>Ings in the course of the day revived in spirits, as he became -interested in the evidence; but he frequently reverted to a state of -gloomy sullenness.</p> - -<p>The other prisoners were anxious to keep the witnesses out of Court, -when not under <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>examination, and repeatedly called on those who -accidentally made their appearance to withdraw.</p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Second Day.</span>—<span class="smcap">Saturday</span>, <i>April 22</i>.</p> - -<p>At a quarter before nine the Jury were conducted to the box by the -sheriff’s officers.</p> - -<p>Shortly after this the guns, pistols, swords, pikes, grenades, -ammunition, and other materials of war, seized in Cato-street, were -brought into court, and placed on the table.</p> - -<p>At nine the same learned Judges who presided the day before, took their -seats.</p> - -<p>Ings and the other prisoners were then put to the bar.</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Evidence for the Crown continued.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Daniel Bishop</span> was now put in the box, and described the -circumstances attending the apprehension of Thistlewood, which were -detailed in his former evidence.</p> - -<p>In cross-examination by Mr. Adolphus: Witness said he had apprehended -the prisoner from private information, not received from an officer; he -did not know a man of the name of Edwards.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ruthven</span> was next called, and said there were now placed on the -table the arms and ammunition taken in Cato-street; he then proceeded -to select each article separately, and to exhibit it to the Jury; the -pikes and grenades were minutely inspected. A pike blade was placed in -one of the handles in order to show the manner in which it was to be -used. When thus presented it had a most terrific appearance. The knife -stated to have been found on the person of Ings was next produced, and -exhibited to the Jury. While they were examining it, Ings exclaimed, -“It was not found upon me, my Lord.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Hector Morrison</span>, servant to Mr. Underwood the cutler, -identified the two swords which he ground<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> for Ings. They were made -extremely sharp from heel to point. The prisoner directed that they -should be made as sharp as a needle at the point, and that they should -be made to cut both at the back and front; this was done. The swords -seemed since to have been rubbed on a stone to make them keener.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Samuel Taunton</span> selected the articles found in Tidd’s lodgings, -as well as those found in the back room of the house in which Brunt -resided.</p> - -<p>Serjeant <span class="smcap">Hanson</span>, of the Royal Artillery, described the -formation of the fire-balls and hand-grenades, and opened one of the -latter, as in Thistlewood’s case, for the information of the Jury. He -also looked at the flannel bags found in Tidd’s lodgings. They were -what are termed flannel cartridges for a 6-pounder. They were the same -as those used by the Royal Artillery, only that those produced were -formed of flannel, whereas those used by the artillery were composed of -serge.</p> - -<p>It was now announced that the other prisoners might retire, and they -were re-conducted to their apartments.</p> - -<p>Serjeant <span class="smcap">Hanson</span>, examination by one of the Jury, said, that -the grenades found in Cato-street were not made exactly in the same -manner as those made for the use of the artillery, although they were -calculated to produce similar destructive consequences. The cart-nails -would be propelled with irresistible force by the explosion of the tin -carcase, and would scatter death around. There was rather more powder -in the case than was sufficient to burst a nine inch shell.</p> - -<p>The Attorney-General: That is the case on the part of the Crown.</p> - -<p class="center">THE DEFENCE.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Curwood</span> then rose to address the Jury on behalf of -the prisoner, and commenced by <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span>lamenting the effect which the -conviction of the last prisoner must have upon their minds, however -good their intentions, and however anxious they might be to decide -this case free from all preconceived impressions. This circumstance, -undoubtedly weighed heavily upon his (Mr. C.’s) feelings, knowing that -the construction of the human mind was such, as rendered it almost -impossible to get rid of opinions once entertained. The disadvantage -under which he laboured, in this respect, was the more distressing, -because although the general features of this case bore a strong -resemblance to the last, yet it wanted a most material circumstance of -confirmation, which was produced on a former occasion.</p> - -<p>Sir <span class="smcap">Robert Dallas</span> interposed, and objected to any allusion to -what had passed on the former trial. The Solicitor-General, in opening -the case, had most humanely abstained from any reference to the former -case, and had entreated the jury to dismiss from their minds the fact -that another prisoner had been convicted. The Court was bound to treat -this as a case depending upon its own merits, and his Lordship was -persuaded that the Jury would forget that such a person as Thistlewood -existed, and dismiss from their minds all knowledge of the former case, -if they happened to have heard any part of it.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Curwood</span> resumed, and said “he should bow with respectful -deference to the correction of his Lordship. His learned friend the -Solicitor-General had told the Jury that, in stating the case for -the prosecution, he was only anxious to acquit himself as a faithful -servant of the public, by fully and fairly laying before the Jury -the whole of its circumstances; and that as far as his own personal -feelings were concerned, he was regardless of the result. No man would -withhold from his learned friend the fullest credit for the sincerity -of that statement. Though his (Mr. Curwood’s) task was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> much more -irksome than that of his learned friend, yet he hoped he should have -credit for the same feelings; that he was most anxious, not only to -do his duty towards the unfortunate man at the bar, but towards his -country and his own character. He was sure that the Jury were also -animated by the same feelings, and that whatever might be their private -sentiments, they would form their judgment upon the evidence alone, -and, if upon an impartial consideration of that evidence, they found -it did not bear out the facts charged in the indictment, would gladly -deliver him, by their verdict of Not Guilty.</p> - -<p>“The Solicitor-General had also told them, that the law of the case was -extremely clear. No doubt it was; but it was necessary to point out -the precise question for their consideration, before they ventured to -apply the facts of the case to that law; because the question here was -not guilt, or innocence in the abstract, for although there was strong -suspicion against the prisoner of moral guilt, yet the question they -had to try was, whether he was guilty not only of high treason, but of -that high treason which was specifically charged in this indictment. -In order, therefore, to enable them to discharge their duty fully -and fairly towards the prisoner, they must not only take into their -consideration the precise question they had to try, but also apply the -evidence produced, in order to see whether the specific charge of high -treason was made out.</p> - -<p>“The history of the Statute of Treasons, 25 Edw. III., was well known. -It was passed in order to define what treason really was, and that the -ignorance, and even cruelty, which had previously prevailed upon the -subject, by the erection of certain acts into crimes against the state, -might be exploded. That statute contained a few short and distinct -propositions, which in fact comprehended the whole law of treason. In -the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> language of Lord Coke it was called the <i>blessed</i> Statute, from -the admirable regard manifested in it for the liberty and safety of -the subject. It declared first, that whoever should compass or imagine -the death of the King, should be guilty of high treason; and, second, -whoever should levy war against the King and this realm, should be -guilty of the like offence.</p> - -<p>“A number of other enactments of treason had taken place at different -times since then, introducing a most horrible system of cruelty and -oppression, but at length it was found necessary to return to that -blessed statute. It was true, that in the reign of his late Majesty a -statute passed for extending the law of treason. He lamented that such -a statute should ever have passed, and still more that any occasion for -it should ever have existed. Upon both of these statutes the present -indictment was founded.</p> - -<p>“By the 23d of Edward III. it was made treason to compass or imagine -the death of the King; and by the 36th Geo. III. it was made treason to -attempt to depose him from his kingly office.</p> - -<p>“By the statute of Edward, it was made treason actually to levy war; -and by the statute of George, it was made treason to conspire to levy -war.</p> - -<p>“The four charges, therefore, which they had to try, were these: Did -the prisoner at the bar compass, or imagine the death of the King? Did -he conspire to depose him from his imperial dignity? Did he actually -levy war against his Majesty? And did he conspire to levy war with -an intention to compel his Majesty to change the measures of his -government by force? These were the precise issues they had to try, and -whatever might be their opinion of his guilt, as it respected other -charges still pending over him, and for which punishment would reach -him if he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> were guilty, yet unless they were conscientiously satisfied -that he had actually committed some one of these four offences, they -were bound to pronounce him Not Guilty.</p> - -<p>“It had been admitted by the Solicitor General, that if the case in all -its parts was not proved by unequivocal testimony, they were bound to -acquit the prisoner; and he apologized for the evidence he proposed to -offer, by saying, that in all cases of conspiracy it was necessary to -have the evidence of some of the conspirators, in order to ascertain -the purposes of their dark consultations.</p> - -<p>“This was another of the miseries resulting from a departure from the -statute of Edward. That admirable statute enacted, that before a man -should be found guilty of the treasons there set out, he shall be -‘proveably convict’ of the same.</p> - -<p>“Upon the meaning of the words ‘proveably convict,’ the great Lord Coke -had written a whole section, shewing that they did not mean probably -convict, but convict by the most unequivocal and satisfactory evidence.</p> - -<p>“The object of the statute, therefore, in making this wholesome -provision was to protect his Majesty’s subjects, whose lives might -be at the mercy of the most infamous of mankind. It was necessary, -therefore, that the Jury should examine the facts proved with the most -scrupulous circumspection, before they made up their minds to the -conclusion of the prisoner’s guilt.</p> - -<p>“The Solicitor General had admitted, that the evidence of the -conspirators ought not to be believed unless it was confirmed in -all its material circumstances. It was to be observed, that the -confirmation alluded to, was not meant to apply to collateral facts -irrelevant to the matter in issue, but to the whole body and substance -of the evidence; and therefore if they found that the material -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span>witnesses to establish the conspiracy were not confirmed in the -substantial part of their evidence, it was their duty to pronounce a -verdict of acquittal.</p> - -<p>“The learned counsel admitted that there was sufficient evidence to -establish an intention on the part of the prisoners to commit, perhaps, -a dreadful riot, to commit murder, and to effect the destruction of -houses; but he strenuously urged, that this was not sufficient to -make out the crime of high treason, as alleged in the indictment. He -adverted to the evidence of Adams, and other witnesses, and contended -that it was wholly incredible, and inconsistent in every part.</p> - -<p>“But supposing the conspiracy which they had proved, really to have -existed, he urged that it was the most ridiculous plot that could -ever enter into the mind of the most infatuated man, considering the -absolute destitution of means to carry it into effect. The records of -fiction and of history did not furnish an instance of such a wild and -chimerical scheme.</p> - -<p>“After commenting with considerable ingenuity, upon the evidence of -the principal witnesses of the Crown, he proceeded to deprecate in -strong terms the doctrine of constructive treason; and called upon the -Jury, as guardians of their own and the public liberties, to make a -stand against the further extension of this abominable doctrine, which -had been condemned by Lord Hale, and some of the wisest judges that -ever sat to administer justice. Returning again to the description -of evidence adduced to support the conspiracy, he insisted that they -could give no credence to Adams, who stood confessed the betrayer of -his companions, a traitor to his king, a rebel against his country, -intending to assassinate and murder his fellow-subjects, an apostate to -his religion, and a scoffer of his God.</p> - -<p>“Would a British Jury in this sanctuary of justice sacrifice to -torture and death eleven<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> men, merely upon the evidence of such a -self-convicted wretch? He had stated to the Jury the danger to which -our liberties and lives would be exposed, if a man could be convicted -of high treason, on evidence like that which they had heard; but as he -preferred supporting himself in all cases by the authority of great -men, he would remind them of what the present Solicitor-General had -said, without telling them on what occasion the words to which he would -allude had been spoken, or how long it was ago.</p> - -<p>“A witness was called to discredit the testimony of another. He, on -cross-examination, admitted, that he had accompanied a person to -the Park, who went there for the purpose of extorting money from -individuals, by charging them with certain practices. On this occasion -the natural feelings of his learned friend, the Solicitor-General, -broke forth, and he inquired, ‘Would any honest man—would any man -worthy of belief in a court of justice, accompany a person who went -on such an expedition? Would any man, entitled to credit with a jury, -agree with another in such a plan to extort money?’ This, in point of -fact, had not been done by the witness to whom he alluded; but he, Mr. -Curwood, must beg to apply this sort of reasoning to the principal -witness for the prosecution, and ask if a man who had acted as Adams -had done was entitled to belief in a court of justice.</p> - -<p>“Was a man entitled to credit, who, like Adams, was an apostate, a -traitor, a rebel, a betrayer of his companions, a murderer, and an -assassin—all of which he admitted that he had intended to be?</p> - -<p>“Yet such a man had his learned friend put up on the present occasion. -But who would believe him, unless, indeed, it were made out, which no -lawyer would say it was, that such a man was entitled to credit when he -came into a court of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> justice to seek the lives of men, though not in -other cases, where his object was different.</p> - -<p>“If this principle were not established, then out of their own mouths -was the principal witness for the prosecution condemned. He called upon -the Jury to look if he were confirmed, he would not say by good, but -even by infamous witnesses. It was nothing that he was corroborated in -various insignificant particulars, but he was borne out in nothing that -went to prove that the prisoner at the bar had committed high treason; -and he therefore begged of them, under these circumstances, to give -that verdict which would dismiss Adams with shame, as a man not to be -believed in a court of justice on his oath.</p> - -<p>“If such a man were corroborated by other infamous witnesses, it would, -in fact, be no confirmation; how, then, did the case stand when they -found that he was not even confirmed by the testimony of those who -were almost as infamous as himself. Having done with Adams, the next -witness was Hyden, he described himself to have formerly belonged to -a shoe-making club, and to have been introduced to Thistlewood in the -month of February. And what was the first proposal made to him? Why, -Thistlewood was represented to have said, without any disguise or -reserve, “Will you be one to murder his Majesty’s ministers?”</p> - -<p>“Good God!—what must that man be whose heart would not revolt with -horror from such a proposal? But this person expressed no disgust at -the plan with which he was thus made acquainted. Was this man then more -worthy of belief, than one who would join with another to extort money?</p> - -<p>“Was this, to use the words of the Solicitor-General, a man worthy of -belief in a court of justice? The answer that his learned friend would -feel disposed to give must be, that he was not.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> Then what confirmation -could his evidence supply to that of Adams? It was not necessary for -him to go through all the details of the conversations between this -witness and Adams, but he must remark, that of these not one word went -to confirm the facts that would amount to the crime of high treason, -though they all tended to establish a plot to assassinate his Majesty’s -ministers.</p> - -<p>“It was true, that something was stated to have been said of seizing -the cannon in the Artillery-Ground, and of retreating to the Mansion -House. All this proved that a great riot was in contemplation, but it -evinced no intention of committing high treason. This witness described -himself to have joined in the plan, and to have told the conspirators -that he would be with them.</p> - -<p>“The next witness was Monument. He had sworn that he was told by -Thistlewood he ought to get arms, as all his (Thistlewood’s) friends -were armed. At that period it could not be denied, that there was a -great ferment in the public mind, in consequence of the transactions -which had taken place at Manchester but a short time before.</p> - -<p>“Many of the warmest friends to the measures of government were -of opinion, that an inquiry into those transactions ought to be -instituted; while others, without reserve, termed what had occurred -at Manchester ‘a massacre,’ and declared that since they were liable -to be so dispersed at public meetings, they would attend them armed, -that they might be prepared to defend themselves. Thistlewood had used -words to this effect. He (Mr. Curwood) would not deny that to go armed -to such meetings, was a desperate resistance of the law; but he would -maintain that it did not amount to high treason, and he entreated the -Jury never to dismiss from their minds that it was for high treason, -and for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> high treason only, that they were trying the prisoner at -the bar, and not for disobedience to the law in other respects; and -therefore if the facts proved did not amount to high treason, it would -be their duty to return a verdict of <span class="smcap">Not Guilty</span>.</p> - -<p>“The witness, Monument, had confirmed the evidence given of the -existence of a plan for the assassination of his Majesty’s Ministers, -and for creating a riot; but he proved nothing respecting that -proclamation which was said to have been prepared by Thistlewood, and -which alone went to give the conspiracy the character imputed to it in -the present indictment. But the witness, Monument, he contended, had -shewn himself during this trial to be the same unfeeling villain he had -set out with being; yet, from the aggregate of infamy brought forward -on this occasion, there resulted no proof of high treason.</p> - -<p>“Palin and Cook, who might be able to give evidence in favour of the -defence, he shewed that he had no means of bringing forward, as, if -they were to offer that testimony which might acquit the prisoner -of high treason, they would bring themselves into peril, as the -Attorney-General well knew that if they were to appear in the witness’s -box, they would not be suffered to depart with impunity. Eleanor Walker -and Mary Rogers had only proved the taking of the room in which the -consultations of the conspirators were held. This was not denied. -It was admitted that they held consultations, and for a nefarious -purpose; but the question for the Jury to try was, whether or not these -consultations related to high treason. Hale had also proved the room -and the purchasing of some sheets of cartridge paper. This he (Mr. C.) -contended, was wanting for their cartridges. Adams said it was for -their proclamations, but of this there was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> no proof, and the fragments -of cartridge paper that had been found were not written upon.</p> - -<p>“The three next witnesses proved various facts connected with the plan -of assassination, but nothing that amounted to high treason; and what -was proved to have taken place in Cato-street, though murder and riot -appeared to have been in contemplation, he could discover nothing like -‘a levying of war.’ If they had not ‘levied war against the King,’ -conspiring to do that which had been done, could not be ‘conspiring to -levy war against the King.’</p> - -<p>“This was a question which must be left to the understandings of the -Jury. They all knew what war was between different states. It was -carried on by large bodies of men, formed into companies, under the -direction of proper officers, and accompanied by all the <i>materiel</i> of -war. A civil war was the same, but that one part of a state in a civil -war was opposed to another part of the same state. It would be for them -to determine whether enough had been proved to shew that any thing like -war had been levied. It had been laid down by Sir Matthew Hale, that -any disturbance was not necessarily a ‘levying of war;’ for in that -case every riot would be high treason. To constitute a levying of war, -there must be something worse than a common riot or outrage; ‘there -must be a <i>species belli</i>?’</p> - -<p>“Could the Jury find this on the present occasion? The utmost force -that had been mentioned consisted of forty men. These forty men were to -be marched with unfurled banners through the city, to take two cannon -in Gray’s Inn-lane, and six in the Artillery Ground, and they were to -possess themselves of the Mansion-house. Was this a levying of war? -That the conspirators had been formed into companies was more than he -had ever heard, and where was the money that was to carry on the war? -In what holes and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> corners had they hidden themselves that nothing was -known of them?</p> - -<p>“From the circumstances to which he had called their attention, he -would leave the Jury to judge how far the charge of levying war, -or conspiring to levy war against the King had been made out. In -a former instance, if he recollected right, the same charges were -brought forward on a former trial that were now preferred, and in that -case there were stronger circumstances—great bodies of persons had -assembled, gunsmiths’ shops had been broken open, and arms had been -stolen from them; yet in that case the Jury, not denying the existence -of any guilt whatever, had rightly determined, as he thought, and as he -hoped the present Jury would do, that the party accused was not guilty -of high treason.</p> - -<p>“He then shewed, that to endeavour to remove the ministers from their -situations was not a crime; and he argued, that to attempt removing -them by force was not high treason.</p> - -<p>“He trusted the Jury would believe that he contemplated the plot to -assassinate ministers with all the horror and indignation that such a -design was calculated to inspire; but he could not sacrifice his duty -to his feelings, and he hoped that they would feel as he did, and feel -how necessary it was for the safety of other lives, that those who -were concerned in it should not for that offence be convicted of high -treason. It was most consoling to him to reflect, that he should be -followed by his learned friend, who would address them with much more -eloquence than he could command.</p> - -<p>“He concluded by calling on them, whatever their feelings might be, to -look at all the circumstances of the case, and see if they could find -it proved by good, or even by bad witnesses, that there had been a -levying of war. If they did find this, he could not expect a verdict; -but if they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> found, as he thought they must, that there had been no -levying of war, they must return a verdict of “<span class="smcap">Not Guilty</span>.”</p> - -<p class="center">EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENCE.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Chambers</span> examined: I live in Heathcock-court, Strand. -I have seen a man of the name of Adams in company with a man named -Edwards, about a week before the Cato-street business took place, in -my room. They came together. They made a proposition to assassinate -his Majesty’s ministers. Adams and Edwards asked me to go with them. I -refused. Adams said, “They were going to kill his Majesty’s ministers, -and that they would have blood and wine for supper.” They came again -on the Monday night before the Cato-street business took place. They -brought with them a large bag.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Gurney: I am a bootmaker; I might have seen -Ings. I am not certain. I cannot say how long I have known him. I -don’t suppose I have been in his company above twice or three times. -The first time was at a place where they sold the Black Dwarf and the -Medusa, kept by a man of the name of Watling. I cannot state where else -I have seen him. I know a house called the Scotch Arms, in Round-court, -in the Strand. I have been there three times, but did not see him. -Those times were before Christmas. There was no chair there. There was -no person sitting in a chair. There was no chairman. It was in no other -room but the tap-room.</p> - -<p>I have been at the Black Dog, in Gray’s-Inn-lane, once; there was no -chair there; there might be about seven persons there; it was on a -Sunday night; I cannot say whether before or after Christmas; I was -invited there by a man of the name of Bryant, who was going to the -Cape of Good Hope. They were all strangers to me except one,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> and that -was Mr. Thistlewood; I know Brunt very well, he was not there; I don’t -think I know Palin; I will not swear I did not see him; I was at all -the meetings in Smithfield; I cannot state who carried the black flag; -I carried no flag at the last meeting; I before carried two flags—one -had inscribed on it “The Manchester Massacre;” I never saw such a flag -as “Let us die like freemen, and not be sold like slaves.” I carried -the flag inscribed “Trial by Jury,” at Mr. Hunt’s entry into London. I -know Davidson. I have not much knowledge of Tidd. I know Wilson. I know -Harrison very well. I have not much knowledge of Strange nor Cooper.</p> - -<p>I have known Mr. Hunt ever since his triumphal entry into London. I was -shocked at the proposition of going to murder his Majesty’s ministers, -at least so much that I did not go. Though Bow-street was so near, I -did not go there to give information of the plot.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Mary Barker</span> spoke to Edwards’s bringing grenades to Tidd’s, -her father’s. There was one very large ball brought away by Adams.</p> - -<p>This was the whole of the evidence for the prisoner.</p> - -<p>Ings here requested, and was permitted to withdraw for about a minute. -He returned with an orange in his hand, which he sucked with great -composure.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Adolphus</span> then rose to address the Jury.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen of the Jury,—I call for serious attention and kind -indulgence, if for no other reason, for this consideration, that, if -your verdict should be against the unfortunate man at the bar, these -are the last favourable words that he shall hear uttered. My Lord will -state the law and the evidence to you fairly; but, beyond that, he -will say nothing for the prisoner. I feel the languor that necessarily -arises from the attempt to tread over ground already trodden, and -trodden<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> in vain. But I advance to the task with a clear mind, and -faculties unfettered, because I can lay my hand upon my heart, and say, -that no opinion I formerly offered is now changed.</p> - -<p>“The Solicitor-General, in his fervid opening, and my Lord, have told -you, that the former case is to be kept entirely out of view. I say -so; but I know how difficult it is to prevent the judgment from being -influenced by the memory. I cannot help here contrasting the joy and -alacrity of the Solicitor-General with my own feelings. He told you, -that he had to lay before you, not what he hoped to prove, but what he -had already proved. I have no such encouragement. It is for me a new -case; for Adams has, in this case, brought forward evidence which he -thought proper to keep in his own breast on the former trial.</p> - -<p>“Much fervid declamation has been addressed to you by the -Solicitor-General upon the consequences of success in the alleged -plot. But you are to dismiss from your minds this speculative danger. -The Solicitor-General has also stated propositions of law upon the -subject of accomplices with great eloquence, but with less accuracy -than might have been expected from his station and character. He asked, -‘Has the accomplice any interest in giving a deeper dye,—in making a -stronger point,—in carrying conviction?’ I answer, ‘Yes, yes, yes!’ -His impunity is conditional. He comes before you in chains, and in -custody.—I refer to your own breasts, whether a man that can himself -be yet prosecuted, has no interest in giving not true but acceptable -evidence. The accomplice has the advantage too of having all who could -contradict him tied up by the prosecution, and he therefore swears -boldly.</p> - -<p>“We are told, we might call Palin. Most gracious offer! When a great -reward cannot stimulate the police-officers to find him, how should -we find him, and persuade him to put his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> life in peril? It is more a -taunt than a kindness; more a reproach on our weakness than an essay -on our strength. On the part of the prosecution, a witness has not -been called who was proposed to be called; and a witness that has been -called has been withdrawn, when our witnesses have been on the floor -to contradict him. This has further impoverished my poor, my destitute -clients.”</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Attorney-General</span> objected to these observations.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Adolphus</span> proceeded.—“Cook and Harris may be imaginary -persons, and how could we call them? If high treason in this case -comes entirely from the mouth of an accomplice, you cannot receive -it. It is the whole of the charge; and, if in that the accomplice is -not confirmed, that charge is unsupported; for, if you strike out the -evidence of Adams, there is not one word to prove treason.</p> - -<p>“Let me ask you to try his testimony, then, by these tests.—1. Is -his account probable, or even possible?—2. Is his manner such as to -entitle him to credit?—3. Is he contradicted by witnesses for the -prosecution?—4. Is he confirmed? or is confirmation withdrawn? Upon -the first question, the learned Counsel argued with great force and -animation, that the witness, Adams, could not stand any one of these -tests, and therefore was not to be believed. If, said he, any thing -is to be gained by success in these prosecutions, it is to strengthen -the Government in the minds of the people; it is to obtain applause -for Ministers who have so vigilantly protected us. But your verdict, -gentlemen, is to decide the fate of that man, and no more. Great -Britain and Europe will judge of the conduct of Ministers; posterity -will decide upon their merits.</p> - -<p>“In all questions at issue, in history and in politics, if any thing is -kept back, it ought to operate against the party who keeps it back.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> -Adams has fathered upon others what he has himself done. Call Ings a -murderer—call him an assassin—call him a felon—call him what you -will—but, for God’s sake, gentlemen, believe him.” After some animated -comment on the evidence of Chambers, the learned Counsel returned to -Adams.</p> - -<p>“The meeting in Cato-street affords no evidence of the intention. Adams -alone states it. The very situation of Cato-street, however convenient -for the assassination, disproves the treason; for it is two miles and -a half from Gray’s Inn-lane, and two or three miles more from the -Mansion-house. They never could thus have removed to the greatest -possible distance from the points of action. What, then, are you to -make of two bags to carry two heavy heads? You cannot for a moment -raise this into treason; as well might you believe that an attempt was -to be made to liberate the prisoners in this gaol by throwing cherries -and carraway-seeds. Did they, then, levy war?</p> - -<p>“I recollect seeing a man convicted at that bar of the murder of -a Minister of State (Mr. Perceval). I never can forget Sir James -Mansfield, the tears streaming down his aged venerable cheeks. If -strong feelings could make the assassination of a Minister treason, -that would have been treason. Suppose they had seized the cannons, -that would not be a levying of war; for they are not the King’s, but -the property of private individuals. The Mansion-house and the Bank -were not the King’s. The only tittle to support the treason was the -absurdity of a ‘Provisional Government,’ stated by Adams.</p> - -<p>“Some of you remember, as I do, the conflagration of houses, and the -blazing of prisons, by a mob misled by an individual. The actors in -that scene were tried, convicted of felonies, but not of treason. Their -infatuated leader was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> acquitted of high treason. God forbid that I -should say my client stands before you free of guilt. God forbid I -should apologize for his conduct!</p> - -<p>“The evidence precludes me from denying that there was an intention to -assassinate Ministers. Poverty rendered the men desperate, and impelled -them to crime. But treason is incredible and impossible. The whole -hinged on Thistlewood. He had but lately got out of prison, having -challenged Lord Sidmouth, who properly prosecuted him, instead of -accepting it. That he should entertain feelings of revenge was natural -and inevitable, considering that his was a bad mind. But this is not -treason.”</p> - -<p>The learned Counsel having concluded his very able speech, the prisoner -was addressed as follows, by</p> - -<p><i>Chief Justice Dallas.</i>—James Ings, do you wish to leave your defence -to the observations of your counsel, or do you wish to say any thing -yourself?</p> - -<p><i>Ings.</i>—I wish to state the particulars how I became acquainted with -this party, if you will allow me.</p> - -<p><i>The Chief Justice.</i>—Any thing and every thing you wish to state, of -course the court and jury will hear. Now is the time for you to state -those things; speak loud, and we will attend to what you say. Probably, -before you say any thing, you will consult your counsel.</p> - -<p><i>Ings.</i>—I have but little to say.</p> - -<p><i>The Chief Justice.</i>—After having drawn your attention to the -propriety of consulting your counsel, you will now do what you think -best.</p> - -<p><i>Ings</i>, addressing himself to the Jury, spoke as follows:</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen of the Jury, I am a man of no education and very humble -abilities. If you will hear me with patience, I will not detain you -long.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> I lived in Portsea. I came to London in the beginning of May, -1819. I came with my wife and family. The reason I left Portsmouth was, -that I was unable to get employ to support my family (here the prisoner -seemed affected by his feelings.) When I came to London I thought I -could get employ, but I was for a considerable time, and could get -nothing to do. Knowing nobody I suppose was the reason. I had a few -pounds with me when I came from Portsea. Finding my money going I did -not know what to do. It did not go by drinking or gambling.</p> - -<p>“I determined to get into business, and I went up to Baker’s-row, -where I set up a butcher’s shop. I stopped there three months, from -Midsummer to Michaelmas; the summer being hot was against me; I lost -a considerable deal of money in the course of the summer; I then took -a house in Old Montague-street, which I opened as a coffee-shop; in -fitting up the shop my money was all gone; I did not take money enough -to support my family. I now persuaded my wife to return to Portsea -among her friends, where I thought she would be better than with me in -London.</p> - -<p>“After my wife had left me some considerable time, there was a man -who used to come and take a cup of coffee at my shop. I had never -nothing to do with politics; but he began to speak about the Manchester -massacre. I said very little; I always took him to be an officer. He -came frequently before I left the house.</p> - -<p>“Some time after I met him in Smithfield. I went there to see if I -could get any employ. He asked me how I did; and I said very well. He -said, he had been often to my house, and asked me to stand treat. I -said it was not in my power, and my reason was, that I had no money; -I added that I should be obliged to sell my things. He asked me what -things I had to sell, and I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> told him various articles. He agreed to -buy a sofa bedstead.</p> - -<p>“I then went to live in Primrose-street. This was in January last. A -few days after, I met him in Fleet-market. He asked me where we could -have something to drink; and respecting the sofa bedstead, he said he -thought he had a friend that would buy it. I took him to my house, but -we could not agree. We came back to Fleet-street; he then told me there -was something going to be done. I asked him what it was, and he said no -good man would want to know what was to be done before it was begun. We -went directly and had some bread and cheese. He took me to the White -Hart, where I saw a few of my fellow-prisoners. I asked who he was. I -understood his name was Williams; but I since know that it was Edwards. -He told me that it was he made Thomas Paine (the statue of Paine) at -Mr. Carlisle’s; and it was the same man that did make it. He afterwards -took me to another room where I got refreshment.</p> - -<p>“I did not know the particulars of any thing that was going to be done. -I was a stranger, and went for food. That very day he brought me a -sword to get ground for him, which I took to the cutler’s in my own -name; and do you think, gentlemen, if I knew that any thing was going -on, that I would have left it in my own name? I often went to the man -afterwards, for I had no friends. On the 23d of February, he came to me -at my lodging, in Primrose-street, for my landlord charged me nothing -for my lodging, and says, ‘There’s something a going to be done; do -you come up to the alley opposite Mrs. Carlisle’s; about six o’clock, -I shall meet you there.’ I went from there up to the room. I was there -all day, and I got some bread and cheese.</p> - -<p>“At six I went to Fleet-street. He was <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span>standing in the alley. I -understand since, from the list of witnesses, that he lives in that -alley. He told me to wait, which I did, for an hour. He then came and -gave me a couple of bags and a belt, and asked me to come to the room -in Fox-court. On my going there he told me that he was going to put -some gin in the bags; and that it was to be got on the sly. That was -the sole reason that I put the bags under my coat, lest the patrol -should see them. I went with him up to St. Giles’s, where he said we -were to get the gin. When we got there, he told me it was not there. We -went up to Oxford-street, where he said a friend lived. He left me and -I waited for him an hour. He then took me up to John-street, I believe -it was, for I never was there before, to the stable. He told me I would -see some friends there; he then left me.</p> - -<p>“When I came under the archway, I saw Davidson; Davidson took me into -the stable. I never was up in the loft. I declare positively, before -God, I was not in the stable more than five minutes when the officers -came in: there was only me there. Mr. Ruthven, then, or somebody with -carroty whiskers, and another, went up the ladder into the loft, and a -third man came in, collared me, and said, “You are my prisoner.” Very -well, I says. Soon after he collared me, he began beating me with his -staff till my head swelled most dreadfully. In the mean time I heard a -gun or pistol go off in the loft.</p> - -<p>“When he let me go and run out of the stable, I followed him into the -street. On going into the street, an officer went after me, and I ran -all down the street. I met a man who struck me violently on the head -with a stick as I was going towards him. I ran from him, and with that -I was pursued, when I was stopped by a watchman who beat me also. They -took me down to the watch-house. That is all I know about the meeting. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p> - -<p>“I am like a bullock drove into Smithfield market to be sold. (Here -the prisoner burst into tears.) I say I am like a bullock drove into -Smithfield to be sold. (This he repeated with great energy.) The -Attorney-General knows the man. He knew all their plans for two months -before I was acquainted with it. (Still crying.) When I was before Lord -Sidmouth, a gentleman said, Lord Sidmouth knew all about this for two -months. (Still in tears.) I consider myself murdered if this man is not -brought forward. (A more violent gush of tears.) I am willing to die -on the scaffold with him. He told of every thing which he did himself. -I don’t value my life if I can’t get a living for my family. (In still -greater grief.) My life is of no use to me if I want bread for my wife -and family. I have a wife and four children. I never was in the habit -of drinking, nor nothing of the sort. I cannot describe my feelings to -you about my wife and family. (In tears.)</p> - -<p>“I hope, before you give your verdict, that you will see this man -brought forward, or else I consider myself a murdered man. I knew -nothing of their plots; he was the instigation of it all. I never -attended none of their radical meetings. I hope you will weigh well -this in your minds before you return your verdict. That man Adams, who -has got out of the halter himself by accusing others falsely, would -hang his God. I would sooner die, if I had 500 lives, than be the means -of hanging other men.”</p> - -<p>Lord Chief Justice <span class="smcap">Dallas</span>.—Is there any thing more you wish -to say?</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Ings.</span>—Nothing more. I have only one thing to prove my -character. A gentleman put it down from my childhood. (He here handed a -paper, which his Lordship declined to take.)</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Attorney-General</span> rose to address the Jury about three -o’clock. It had been more than insinuated that these prosecutions -were intended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> to extend the law of treason, and that their verdict -would enlarge the powers of the Crown. But it was not so; by the due -administration of justice alone were they to pronounce on the guilt or -innocence of the prisoner.</p> - -<p>“The 36th of the late King was not calculated to introduce uncertainty -and speculation. If the prisoners had the intention, and acted upon the -intention, of levying war, it was treason, however inadequate their -means. No man could doubt the truth of the story which Adams related. -The learned gentleman then commented on the evidence at great length, -insisting that the case was satisfactorily proved.”</p> - -<p>Lord Chief Justice <span class="smcap">Dallas</span> proceeded to address the Jury. This -most painful inquiry having, in point of proof, been terminated, it -became his duty to recapitulate the whole of the evidence, and to make -such observations on the case as the different points seemed to him to -require.</p> - -<p>“With respect to the indictment, it contained a number of different -counts and charges, which were founded on two specific statutes. The -first, an ancient statute, passed in the reign of Edward III.; and the -second, a more recent act, passed in the reign of the late King. But, -to make the case as clear as possible, they might dismiss most of the -counts from their minds, and look to the charge as composed of two -heads; one, conspiring to depose the King, and the other conspiring to -levy war to compel him to change his measures. He should now proceed to -recite the evidence as he had taken it. [The learned Judge here read -the evidence of the whole of the witnesses, pointing out those facts -which were most worthy the consideration of the Jury.] The learned -Judge then, in allusion to the testimony of Adams, observed, that, -if the doctrines held that day could be adopted, no such thing as an -accomplice could be admitted in a court of justice. His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> evidence would -be at once got rid of, by stating that he was guilty himself.</p> - -<p>“They were, however, informed, that though it was often necessary to -receive the evidence of an accomplice, yet in the practical application -of that evidence, they were to view it with a suspicious eye. They were -not to receive it, except it was confirmed. On this point he had heard -the law grossly mis-stated.</p> - -<p>“The testimony of an accomplice ought to be confirmed in some -particulars, but not in all; for if they possessed the means of proving -all he stated, there would be no necessity to call him to give evidence.</p> - -<p>“It was for the Jury to say whether the prisoners had not a -revolutionary object in view. If they were assembled merely for the -purpose of assassination, of course the charge of treason was not made -out, but if they thought otherwise, undoubtedly it was. It might be -said that it was impossible men could entertain such an extravagant -project; if he had been told that there were twenty-five men on the -face of the earth, and still less, of the country to which he had the -honour to belong, who intended to commit the foul and dreadful act of -butchery and blood which had been described, he should have said, till -they were detected, that it was utterly impossible—that such a thing -never had happened and never could. But looking to the evidence, it was -clear and undoubted that such an occurrence had happened.</p> - -<p>“The prisoner had called witnesses before them, and he had implored the -Jury, ere they disposed of his fate, to consider his case maturely. In -that request he went hand in hand. If they were of opinion that those -persons assembled only to destroy fourteen individuals, and that the -materials found were merely collected for that purpose, they would then -give the benefit of that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> doubt to the prisoner. But, on the other -hand, if, in the discharge of their duty, acting in the name of that -Being who had been more than once appealed to in the course of this -inquiry, they believed that the offence was proved, they would then, he -was sure, fearlessly and intrepidly return with a verdict in conformity -with their sentiments.”</p> - -<p>The Jury retired at twenty-five minutes after eight o’clock, and, at a -quarter before nine, returned a verdict of—GUILTY, ON THE FIRST AND -THIRD COUNTS—that is, of conspiring to depose the King, and to levy -war to compel him to change his measures.</p> - -<p class="space-above">The prisoner was then taken from the bar, and the Court adjourned.</p> - - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p> - -<h2>TRIAL OF JOHN THOMAS BRUNT.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="bold">SESSIONS-HOUSE, OLD BAILEY.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center"><i>First Day, Monday, April 24, 1820.</i></p> - -<p>At nine o’clock in the morning, the Lord Chief Baron Richards, Mr. -Baron Garrow, Mr. Justice Richardson, and the Common Serjeant, took -their seats.</p> - -<p>The prisoner, Brunt, was then put to the bar. He was decently dressed -in coloured clothes, and had with him several papers, some of which -were closely written upon. He looked rather paler than before, but -preserved his accustomed composure.</p> - -<p>Mr. Shelton proceeded to call over the names of the Jurymen in -attendance. The first name called, and to which there was no challenge -on the part of the prisoner or the Court, was Mr. Alexander Barclay.</p> - -<p>Mr. Barclay stated, that, as he had been on the Jury by which -Thistlewood had been tried, he hoped he might be excused on the present -occasion.</p> - -<p>Mr. Curwood said, that it was because he was on the former Jury he -wished him to be on the present, as he would be enabled to see the -difference of evidence.</p> - -<p>The Solicitor-General said he had no objection.</p> - -<p>Mr. Barclay was then sworn; and he was foreman of this as well as the -former Jury. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mr. Curwood exhausted his right of challenging peremptorily before -the Crown, on whose behalf the last four challenges were made in -succession. As the Jurors were sworn, they were very attentively -noticed by the prisoner. After the challenges had been gone through, -the following Jury was impanelled:</p> - -<p>* Alexander Barclay, of Teddington, grocer, (foreman).</p> - -<p>* Thomas Goodchild, Esq., North-End, Hendon.</p> - -<p>* Thomas Suffield Aldersey, Lisson-grove, North, Esq.</p> - -<p>* James Herbert, Isleworth, carpenter.</p> - -<p>* John Shooter, North-End, Hendon, gent.</p> - -<p>James Wilmot, Western-road, Isleworth, market-gardener.</p> - -<p>* John Edward Shepherd, Eden-Grove, Holloway, gent.</p> - -<p>* John Fowler, St. John-square, iron-plate-worker.</p> - -<p>* William Gibbs Roberts, Ropemakers’-fields, Limehouse, cooper.</p> - -<p>John Dickenson, Colt-street, Limehouse, builder.</p> - -<p>John Smith, John-street, Oxford-street, undertaker.</p> - -<p>John Woodward, Upper-street, Islington.</p> - -<blockquote><p>Those gentlemen to whose names a * is prefixed served on the first -Jury.</p></blockquote> - -<p>Mr. Bolland immediately proceeded to open the indictment against Brunt.</p> - -<p>The Attorney-General then stated the case to the Jury, going over all -the facts already detailed in the former trials, and commenting upon -them with great clearness and ingenuity. As soon as he had concluded -his address, the other prisoners (untried) were brought into Court.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Robert Adams</span> (the first witness against Thistlewood and -Ings) was put into the box, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span>examined by the Solicitor-General. -He detailed the same story, in substance, which he gave on the former -trials; adding some things which he had then omitted, and varying a -little his account of others. In the course of his evidence he came to -that part where he described Brunt to have said, that, if any officers -came in there, he (uttering an oath) would murder them, and they might -be easily disposed of afterwards, so as to prevent their murder being -discovered.</p> - -<p><i>Brunt</i>, (rising hastily from his seat at the bar)—My Lords, can the -witness look me in the face, and look at those gentlemen (pointing to -the Jury), and say that I said this?</p> - -<p><i>Adams</i>, (turning towards the prisoner, and laying his hand upon his -breast)—I can, with a clear and safe conscience.</p> - -<p><i>Brunt.</i>—Then you are a bigger villain than I even took you to be.</p> - -<p>The Court here interfered to prevent any further conversation between -the parties.</p> - -<p>Adams then continued his evidence.—When he came to that part where -he mentioned the hand-grenades, he added—“I think it necessary here -to state, as Mr. Brunt thinks proper to deny what I have said, that -he was the very man that took the hand-grenades to Tidd’s house; -for I followed him all the way, and I saw, with my own eyes, Tidd’s -daughter put them in a box under the window.” [The witness uttered this -with considerable emphasis and action.] In relating the arrangements -which had been made for the murder of Ministers, and the subsequent -proceedings which were intended, he added—“I think it right to state -one circumstance, which escaped my memory before. Ings proposed, that -after the heads of Lords Castlereagh and Sidmouth were taken off, -they should be placed on a pole, and carried through the streets. -Thistlewood improved the plan, and said that they should be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> carried -on a pike behind the cannon in the streets, to excite terror. On this -Bradburn observed, that, after they had used Lord Castlereagh’s head, -they would enclose it in a box, and send it to Ireland.—Another -circumstance which he also omitted before was, that, by an arrangement -between Thistlewood and Cooke, it was agreed, that, if Cooke -succeeded in taking the Mansion-house, he was to send an orderly to -St. Sepulchre’s Church, where he was to be met by another orderly, -despatched by Thistlewood from the west-end of the town; and they were -to convey to the parties an account of the progress which each had made -in their stations.”</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.—On my former examination I repented -when I got home, and before that. When I perceived the error of my -ways, I acknowledged it. Till I received that infernal publication, -Paine’s <i>Age of Reason</i>, which Tidd gave me, I was very particular. -I was not, however, so good a christian as I might have been. The -principles which Brunt, the prisoner at the bar, endeavoured to instil -into my mind perverted my understanding. Brunt wished to throw down -the pillars of Christianity altogether. I find my conscience satisfied -at the atonement I have made to my Maker. My satisfaction did not -merely arise from getting my neck out of the halter. I never considered -the assassinating of men, in cold blood, to be consistent with the -principles of reason. On the 2d of January, the prisoner told me that -it was intended to murder his Majesty’s Ministers. I was introduced to -Thistlewood on the 12th: during the intermediate period of ten days, -I had an opportunity of considering the plot. I did not discover it, -owing to the insinuations of Brunt. In that time, I attended several -meetings, and was a chairman at one of them. Whenever I hinted any -dislike to the business, the parties were like madmen. I knew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> Edwards, -and saw him making hand-grenades. I intended to put a stop to the -business if possible; but, at the same time, I wished to save these -people, and to avoid the trouble of the trials here.</p> - -<p>Re-examined by Mr. Gurney.—My mind was perverted by Paine’s <i>Age of -Reason</i>, and Carlisle’s publication.</p> - -<p>Eleanor Walker, Mary Rogers, Joseph Hale, Thomas Sharp, Charles Bisset, -Henry Gillam, Edward Simpson, and J. H. Morrison, gave precisely the -same evidence as they had given on the former trials.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Monument</span>, the accomplice, was brought into Court in -the custody of two wardens of the Tower. He was examined by the -Solicitor-General, and gave precisely the same evidence as he had -done on the two preceding trials, relative to his connexion with the -conspirators.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.—I have read Paine’s <i>Age of Reason</i>. -It rather shook my faith; but it did not destroy it, because it was -accompanied by the Bishop of Llandaff’s <i>Apology for the Bible</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Monument</span>, examined by the Solicitor-General.—His -testimony to-day was precisely the same with that which he had given on -the former day, and fully corroborated that of his brother. He was not -cross-examined.</p> - -<p>John Monument was then re-called, and re-examined by the -Solicitor-General, as to the advice which had been given him by -Thistlewood to say that Edwards had taken him to the meeting. He -repeated his former testimony, and added, that Thistlewood told him -to pass it round to the other prisoners, that it was Edwards who had -betrayed them. Bradburn paid no attention to this advice.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Hyden</span>, examined by Mr. Gurney, repeated his former -evidence. This is the man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> who gave information of the plot to Lords -Harrowby and Castlereagh, of which he on this occasion gave a detailed -account.</p> - -<p>Cross-examined by Mr. Curwood.—I know a man of the name of Bennett, a -bricklayer. I asked him to go with me to the shoemakers’ club. I cannot -swear that I did not ask him to go there, because something was to be -done there for the good of the country. I wrote to Lord Harrowby myself.</p> - -<p>Here the learned Counsel asked him to write a word or two. He did so. -Mr. Curwood observed, that he asked the question because he had been -informed that the witness could not write. He had been mis-informed, -and had now done with the witness.</p> - -<p>After the examination of this witness had closed, he evinced a -disposition to stay in Court, on which the prisoner, Brunt, observed, -“My Lord, the witness stays in Court.” Wilson then rose, and said, with -great indignation, “My Lord, let that perjured villain be turned out of -Court.” He then took his departure.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Earl of Harrowby</span> was next called, and repeated his former -evidence.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Baker</span>, the butler to the Earl of Harrowby, corroborated -his Lordship’s evidence.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Richard Munday</span> and <span class="smcap">George Caylock</span> proved the presence -of the prisoner in Cato-street on the evening on which the plot was -discovered.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">George Ruthven</span>, <span class="smcap">James Ellis</span>, <span class="smcap">Thomas -Westcott</span>, and others belonging to the police-office in Bow-street, -were then examined as to the seizure of the gang in Cato-street.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Captain Fitzclarence</span> repeated the evidence which he had given -on the former trial.</p> - -<p>Mr. Gurney then stated to the Court, that the case for the prosecution -was closed, except so far as related to the examination of the arms,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> -ammunition, <i>&c.</i>, which had been seized either in Cato-street, or on -the premises of the conspirators. It would be more prudent to examine -them by day-light.</p> - -<p>The <i>Lord Chief-Baron</i> acquiesced in the proposition, and adjourned the -Court till the next day at nine o’clock.</p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Second Day.</span>—<span class="smcap">Tuesday</span>, <i>April 25</i>.</p> - -<p>At nine o’clock in the morning the proceedings were resumed. The arms -and ammunition were brought in, and underwent an inspection in presence -of the Jury.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Gurney</span> proceeded to call</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">George Ruthven</span>, who had seized the arms found in Cato-street. -He identified certain arms placed on the table of the Court as the arms -which he had seized, and repeated the evidence which he had given on -the former trials. He also produced the grenades.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Hector Morrison</span> said, that he had sharpened a sword, which was -produced to him, from heel to point, by desire of Ings.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Samuel Taunton</span> produced several pike-heads, fire-balls, -cartridges, <i>&c.</i>, which were found at Brunt’s and Tidd’s lodgings, and -repeated his former evidence.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sergeant Hanson</span> described the composition of the fire-balls, -and opened one of the grenades for the satisfaction of the Jury. It -contained twenty-five pieces of old iron. He stated, that it was quite -clear that it had not been made by any military man. His evidence was -the same as it had been on the former occasions.</p> - -<p>The case for the prosecution was then closed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center">THE DEFENCE.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Curwood</span> addressed the Jury on behalf of the prisoner, and -urged all those topics already detailed in his former speeches. He -concluded by calling a witness of the name of <span class="smcap">John Bennett</span>, -who was accordingly sworn and put into the box, but before his -examination commenced,</p> - -<p>Mr. Gurney begged to ask the purpose for which this witness was called.</p> - -<p>Mr. Curwood stated, that he was to contradict part of the testimony -given by the witness Hyden, in his cross-examination.</p> - -<p>Mr. Gurney observed, that he had a few observations to make regarding -the relevancy of the evidence of this witness, and therefore desired -that he might be ordered to withdraw for a few moments from Court.</p> - -<p>The witness accordingly withdrew.</p> - -<p>Mr. Gurney then observed, that he conceived that this witness was -called to prove that Hyden had asked him to go with him to the -shoemakers’-club, because something would be done there for the good -of the country. Now Hyden refused to swear that he had not used such -expressions; he said that he thought that he had not, but he could not -positively tell. Supposing then that Bennett were to prove the words -imputed by the learned Counsel to Hyden, he would not prove any thing -which would invalidate Hyden’s testimony. He therefore hoped that his -learned friend would not waste the time of the Court by calling this -witness.</p> - -<p>Mr. Curwood stated, that Hyden had sworn that he had never made use of -the words imputed to him. He, therefore, intended to call evidence to -prove that he had. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Judges then referred to their notes, and after examination of them, -said that Mr. Curwood was mistaken in his opinion as to Hyden’s words; -they were to the effect stated by Mr. Gurney.</p> - -<p>Mr. Curwood then declined to call Bennet, and said that he had no other -witness to examine.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Adolphus</span> then shortly addressed the Jury on the same -side with Mr. Curwood. He took a comprehensive view of the whole of -the evidence; denied that the evidence of Adams, the accomplice, -was entitled to the slightest credit; and contended that, as it was -not supported by more credible witnesses, the offence of which the -prisoner had been guilty, however great, did not amount to the charge -in the indictment of high treason. He concluded his address, in which -he displayed much zeal and ability, by appealing to the Jury on the -danger to society of receiving the unsupported evidence of an avowed -accomplice, in a crime of a nature so serious as that with which the -prisoner stood charged. He entreated them not to convict the prisoner -because he was a bad man, but to examine how far the charge against him -had been substantiated.</p> - -<p class="space-above">A Juror rose and observed, that there was no evidence in the present -case of the ammunition having been brought back to Brunt’s house.</p> - -<p>The Chief-Baron said there was not, or of several other matters -alleged, which he would advert to afterwards.</p> - -<p>Mr. Adolphus said he had no intention of overstating any point; that he -had been unavoidably absent during part of the trial, and that might -have occasioned some inaccuracies—</p> - -<p>The Solicitor-General interposed, and Mr. Adolphus sat down without any -further remark.</p> - -<p>While Mr. Adolphus was delivering his address,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> Mr. Harmer’s clerk -delivered to the prisoner a written paper, which he began to read; but -he did not seem to view its contents with much attention.</p> - -<p>The Chief Baron addressing the prisoner, said, “John Thomas Brunt; your -learned counsel have concluded their very able defence; but if you wish -to say any thing in your own defence, this is the time.”</p> - -<p>The prisoner then rose and spoke as follows:—</p> - -<p>“My Lord, I have had a defence put into my hands only a few minutes -ago, which I have not had time to peruse over. Yet I have two or three -observations to make respecting the evidence—particularly respecting -the evidence of Monument. It’s quite useless for me to deny that I was -in the room in Cato-street; but immediately on the arrival of Monument -in Cato-street, he approached me, and asked me what was going to be -done, when he saw the arms on the bench; to which I replied, that I -was not aware of any thing being going to be done, for that Edwards -had not brought so many men by thirty as he stated he would bring, and -that it was not my intention to endeavour to do any thing with so few -men. I would not be led by any individual. Accordingly, perceiving that -Monument betrayed a great deal of fear, I persuaded him to go away.</p> - -<p>“My Lord, a considerable stress has been laid upon what I said -respecting the number of men who were to go to Lord Harrowby’s -house. This I declare was not true. I will admit, my Lord, that when -Thistlewood, as has been stated, addressed himself to the few men who -were there, and spoke, as the witness said, that if they did not go it -would be another Despard job, that some few men did go into the small -room; but, my Lord, it never came into my mind, I solemnly protest, to -go there. They were endeavouring to see if fourteen or fifteen men were -disposed to go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> to the square; but I would not agree to a plan which I -knew must expose these few individuals to instant death.</p> - -<p>“I will now call your Lordship’s attention to two circumstances -respecting the conduct of myself. In the first place, Adams says, in -order to implicate me more deeply, that I declared that I would go into -the room and blow the house about their ears. This, my Lord, is false. -For you see that when Monument comes forward, he makes a declaration to -you, gentlemen of the Jury, that I declared I would go myself and bury -myself in the ruins. Is this consistent?—is it upon such evidence as -this, that you will deprive a son of a father, and a wife of a husband?</p> - -<p>“I should wish to advert to another circumstance. While I was in -Coldbath-fields prison,—when I was there for nearly three days, during -which I was scarcely out of my room, even to wash myself. When I came -down out of my room to the fire I saw Monument; I saw Strange; I saw -Cooper; I saw Bradburn. Monument, my Lord, came to me, and sat himself -down close by me, and whispered in my ear these words: he said, ‘What -did you say when you came before the Privy Council?’ I says, ‘That I -said I knew nothing about the matter.’ This, my Lord, induced me to ask -Monument what he said? and I says, ‘What did you say?’ upon which he -says, ‘I could say nothing—you told me nothing. Why did you not tell -me more?’ I says, ‘It were impossible for me to tell you what I did not -know myself. You know very well, that when you saw the man call on us -to go into the small room I declined.’</p> - -<p>“I admit, as was said by Adams, that I was one that was named to go to -the house; but, gentlemen of the Jury, you were not told that he was -the villain who so named me, and that he constantly came to my house -twice a-day, although<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> he now comes to give evidence to deprive me of -my life.</p> - -<p>“I am no traitor—I was determined, when I entered into this base plot, -that I would lose my life sooner than I would betray an individual. -I would be put to death—I would die on the rack, rather than I -would betray a fellow-creature. This is my principle. This shews the -intention of Monument to betray me.</p> - -<p>“Now, my Lord, I come to advert to a circumstance which occurred to -me at Cambray, in France. It becomes me to state any thing which may -be of use to me and my fellow-prisoners. While I was in Cambray, in -France, my Lord, I met Adams when I first came from Paris. Adams worked -for the officers, and I assisted him in work which he was incapable of -performing himself. He afterwards became so jealous, that he threatened -to take my life, and I was obliged to leave the house, which I did, and -I never worked for him again. I afterwards went from Cambray to Lisle, -where I worked for an English tradesman of the name of Brailsford. I -worked for him two or three months, until I got a little money. During -this time I knew nothing of Adams.</p> - -<p>“When I came home I found that my wife had lost her senses, and was in -St. Luke’s, in consequence of her having heard that my son and myself -had been assassinated in France. I settled myself, and my wife shortly -after came out. I got a good seat of work, and at this time I was -persuaded to receive, as my apprentice, Hale, the witness, who has been -called to you.”</p> - -<p>Here the prisoner entered into some details relative to the character -of the relations of Hale, in which he was interrupted by the Chief -Baron, upon the principle, that these persons were in no way connected -with the present case. He then went on to detail a variety of acts on -the part of his apprentice, all tending to prove him a person<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> of bad -character, and unworthy of credit, to which he said, if he had the -means, he could bring evidence. He then spoke as follows:—</p> - -<p>“Of Hyden I know nothing.” Here he again referred to the written -defence with which he had been furnished. He said he had not had time -to read it, but continued.</p> - -<p>“I wish to advert to a person of the name of Edwards, who was the first -person that ever instigated me to enter into this snare. This Mr. -Edwards I first saw in company with Mr. Thistlewood, at the White Lyon -in Wych-street. This Edwards came to my lodging in Fox-court. I was -very short of work, and he used frequently to call on me—such a thing -as two or three times a-day; and this was long before the back room was -taken. If I was not at home he would wait for me; and often followed -me to places where I went for work. This was the case at the house of -a gentleman of the name of Scott, who saw him, and asked me if he was -waiting for me? and said, ‘Why does he not come in?’</p> - -<p>“This man constantly harassed me, and oftentimes, my Lord, he supplied -me with money. He told me, and I can bring other people to prove it, -that he said that if he could get a hundred such men as me, he could -do any thing. He considered me a staunch man, my Lord, and thought, -I suppose, that I was a fit man to make a prey of. He often took me -out to call on people, and to treat them with drink. This was his -constant practice. He was continually with me before this business; -and I solemnly declare, that this was the individual, and not Mr. -Thistlewood, who brought me into this plot.</p> - -<p>“I must now, my Lord, advert to what took place in Cato-street, and to -his (Edwards’s) conduct on that evening. I will state nothing but the -truth.</p> - -<p>“My Lord, from the different favours I <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span>received from Edwards, I had -a good opinion of the man. When the officers came up into the room in -Cato-street, I made my escape in the best manner I could. I did not -make my escape, however, like a coward or a traitor, I did not desert -my companions. I went immediately to Grosvenor-square, where I knew -this villain was, although I shall, probably, by his means, be sent -into another world very shortly. I went to the villain, and told him -what had happened; at which he seemed very much surprised, and left the -square with me.</p> - -<p>“Shortly after up came Thistlewood and another person, who was in the -room in Cato-street; but who has not since been taken, nor never will -I dare say, my Lord. However, we proceeded from Grosvenor-square, and -he took us into several wine-vaults to drink; I now believe, merely for -some person to identify us. I then went to Fox-court, Holborn, where I -had not been many minutes, when, as my apprentice stated, another man -came in, who said he had received a violent blow in the side. But my -apprentice has not stated, as the fact was, that the very individual -who came on the stairs and called us out, was Edwards.</p> - -<p>“We went with him; and, on going into Holborn, there we met a man -of the name of Palin, and three more individuals with him. We went -altogether into Mr. Thompson’s wine-vaults, opposite St. Andrew’s -Church, on Holborn-hill. We drank some small glasses of liquor. When -we came out of the shop, we were followed very shortly by Edwards, -who called me on one side, and said he wished to speak to me. I heard -what he had to say. He began to find fault with Palin, who was drunk. -He declared that he was the man that had betrayed us, and that he was -unworthy to live. He said, that, to prevent treachery, he ought to be -made away with. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span></p> - -<p>“From that we walked on till we came to Little Britain, or somewhere -thereabouts. We came to a dark place, where Edwards said that Cook -lived; but I did not know myself. He urged me again respecting Palin, -who still remained much intoxicated. He said to me, that it would -be the safest way to put him out of the world. He urged me several -times to assassinate Palin. He then put his hand in his pocket, and -pulled out a brass-barrelled loaded pistol, with which he told me to -assassinate Palin. He likewise offered me a sword-stick; and he said, -‘If you put him out of the world, we shall be safe.’ He also shewed me -a constable’s staff; and said, ‘I will act in the same capacity as I -did in Grosvenor-square; and, if there is any alarm, I will officiate -as an officer, and you may depend on it no discovery will take place.’</p> - -<p>“Finding he entreated me to be guilty of murder, I made this reply: ‘If -you consider Palin a villain, the weapons are in good hands.’ Finding -he could not entreat me to commit murder, he says, ‘I must wish you a -good night; I am going to conduct Thistlewood to some secret place.’ As -he had always appeared to be a particular friend of Mr. Thistlewood’s, -I thought he was the most proper person to do this.</p> - -<p>“Knowing of no evil intention myself against any individual, I was -determined not to know where he went; and I consented to bid him good -night. I then went home. Edwards afterwards came to me, and whispered -to me, and told me that he thought Palin and Potter had betrayed us, -and that he had not the smallest doubt of it. He then advised me to -send the articles which were found in the basket in the back-room, and -which my apprentice has described, over to a place in the Borough, -which I was going to do, but afterwards abandoned that intention.</p> - -<p>“This is all I wish to say respecting what I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> know of the plot. Now -Edwards was the man who always found money, and who went about to -old-iron shops, buying pistols and swords, and other things for the men -who could not afford to buy them themselves.</p> - -<p>“This, I declare before God, whose awful tribunal I shall, in all -probability, ere long, be summoned to attend, is the truth. Should -I die by this case, I have been seduced by a villain, who, I have -no doubt, has been employed by Government. I could not have abused -confidence reposed in me; and, if I die, I shall die not unworthy -the descendant of an ancient Briton! Sooner than I would betray a -fellow-man, I would rather suffer a thousand deaths! This is all that I -wish to say.”</p> - -<p>The prisoner delivered the last part of his speech with great energy, -striking his clenched fist on the board before him. He then took his -seat with perfect composure, holding in his hand the defence which he -had made no use of.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Chief Baron</span> began to sum up the evidence; but, while -his Lordship was proceeding, Brunt said, “My Lord, there are some of -the witnesses for the prosecution in Court; and, as their hearing -the evidence summed up may prejudice the trial of some of my -fellow-prisoners, I hope your Lordship will order them to withdraw.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Gurney.—My Lord, they are only those witnesses who were permitted -to remain by common consent; they are the officers.</p> - -<p>The Lord Chief Baron.—They are only those whom your Counsel have -consented to remain.</p> - -<p>Mr. Baron Garrow repeated the same observation to the prisoner, who -bowed respectfully to the Court, and resumed his seat.</p> - -<p>The <span class="smcap">Chief Baron</span> began his charge to the Jury by telling them, -that this was not constructive treason. A nefarious assassination was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> -admitted by the Counsel for the prisoner, and by the prisoner himself, -to have been intended; an assassination of some of the most honourable -and the most amiable of the King’s subjects.</p> - -<p>His Lordship then read the evidence.</p> - -<p>In recapitulating the evidence of Adams, his Lordship observed, upon -that part where he (Adams) mentioned “that he had been induced to -give up Christianity by reading that infernal work, Paine’s <i>Age of -Reason</i>, and the writings of Carlile,” that the circumstance was -important for the consideration of the Jury. They would weigh every -part of his testimony with jealousy, considering the situation in which -he was placed, and look upon his statement as requiring corroborative -proof. Unless it was supported by such evidence, they would, of -course, receive it with considerable hesitation; but if they found -it corroborated by the evidence of unsuspected witnesses, they would -consider of it accordingly. His Lordship then went through the evidence -of the other witnesses, remarking upon those parts where they coincided -with the account given by Adams. He then adverted to the arguments -of the prisoner’s Counsel, and to the observations of the prisoner -himself; which latter (though, perhaps, it might not have produced the -impression which they could have wished, for the sake of the prisoner) -they would give every attention to.</p> - -<p>As soon as his Lordship concluded, and before the Jury retired, one of -them addressed the Court: “My Lord, I hope your Lordship will allow me -to ask a question as to a point of law.”</p> - -<p><i>The Lord Chief Baron.</i>—Certainly, Sir; any thing you please.</p> - -<p><i>Juror.</i>—My Lord, we are bound to take the law from your Lordship, and -no doubt you will give it to us most correctly. I wish to know whether, -if the evidence bore out that an arming had taken place, and that there -was a resistance to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> the civil power, would that, in the law, be a -levying of war?</p> - -<p><i>The Lord Chief Baron.</i>—Undoubtedly. After a short pause, his Lordship -said, “Gentlemen, do I understand the question rightly? Please to -repeat it again.”</p> - -<p>The Juror repeated the question; and his Lordship replied, that a -resistance to the civil authority would not constitute a levying of war.</p> - -<p><i>The Juror.</i>—My Lord, if there was an arming for the purpose of -inducing his Majesty to change his measures, would that be a levying of -war?</p> - -<p><i>The Lord Chief Baron.</i>—That, gentlemen, would constitute a levying -of war; and, if you believe that it was proved in evidence, it would -support the indictment under the Act of his late Majesty. I put only -the first and third counts to you, gentlemen, not to embarrass the case.</p> - -<p><i>The same Juror.</i>—I would wish to consider the whole of the -indictment. I hope your Lordship will excuse my asking these questions.</p> - -<p><i>The Lord Chief Baron.</i>—Certainly, gentlemen, it is your province to -consider the whole of the case before you. You have also an undoubted -right to ask any questions you may think necessary.</p> - -<p>The Jury then retired at twenty minutes before four; and in about ten -minutes returned with a verdict of GUILTY on the THIRD and FOURTH -COUNTS.</p> - -<p>The prisoner’s appearance was in no degree altered by the annunciation -of the verdict. He bowed slightly to the Court, and was removed in the -care of two of the gaoler’s assistants.</p> - - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span></p> - -<h2>TRIAL OF R. TIDD AND W. DAVIDSON.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="bold">SESSIONS-HOUSE, OLD BAILEY.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center"><i>First Day, Wednesday, April 26, 1820.</i></p> - -<p>At ten minutes after nine o’clock, Mr. Baron Garrow, Mr. Justice -Best, and the Common-Serjeant, took their seats on the bench; the -Attorney-General, Mr. Gurney, and Mr. Bolland, and the prisoner’s -counsel, Messrs. Adolphus and Curwood, appeared in Court at the same -time.</p> - -<p>After a short consultation between Mr. Curwood and the -Attorney-General, Mr. Harmer quitted the Court, and proceeded to -commune with the prisoners in the gaol.</p> - -<p>During the absence of Mr. Harmer, Mr. Baron Garrow addressed the -gentlemen who were waiting to be called on as Jurors. “They might,” he -said, “feel some surprise at the delay” and the Bench, therefore, felt -it right to declare that the present interruption was caused entirely -by an application made by the prisoners’ counsel. He hoped that the -Jury would not consider the delay as intended to convey any want of -respect towards them.</p> - -<p>One of the Jurors said, he hoped the Court would allow them to sit -down, as many of them had come a considerable distance to attend the -Court.</p> - -<p>Mr. Baron Garrow said, that the Court felt every disposition to -accommodate, in every possible manner, the gentlemen of the Jury, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> -requested them to occupy the seats vacant in the Court.</p> - -<p>Soon afterwards Mr. Harmer returned to Court, and communicated to Mr. -Curwood the result of his conference.</p> - -<p>Mr. Curwood then, addressing Mr. Baron Garrow, stated, that a -proposition, which he had thought for the benefit of his clients, had -been acceded to by them, and that two of them (Tidd and Davidson) were -willing to take their trials at the same time.</p> - -<p>Mr. Baron Garrow then addressed the Jurymen, and said, “Gentlemen, -I may now communicate to you that which it would have been improper -to have made known to you before. The learned gentleman who appears -here for the prisoners, and whose exertions you have witnessed upon -more occasions than one, has thought fit to consult his clients as to -whether it is necessary to pursue the course which has already been -adopted in severing their challenges, or whether two of them might not -take their trial by the same Jury. By this pause we have in effect -saved time, for the two next prisoners have agreed not to sever their -challenges, but to be tried at the same time.”</p> - -<p>The prisoners, Tidd and Davidson, were then put to the bar; Mr. Shelton -called over the list of the Jurors, and after a number of challenges on -both sides, the following Jury was ultimately impanelled—</p> - -<p>* W. Percy, Cleveland-street, Mary-le-bone, plasterer.<br /> -J. G. Holmden, St. James’s-walk, Clerkenwell, fusee-cutter.<br /> -J. King, Islington-road, Gent.<br /> -C. E. Prescott, Colney-hatch, Esq.<br /> -* Benjamin Rogers, Lampton, farmer.<br /> -Charles Goldings, Jamaica-place, Limehouse, surveyor.<br /> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span>Charles Page, Crouch-end, Esq. and merchant.<br /> -* J. Young, Frederick-place, St. Pancras, Gent.<br /> -William Butler, Hounslow, baker.<br /> -Joseph Sheffield.<br /> -William Churchill.<br /> -* Samuel Grainger.</p> - -<blockquote><p>The Jurors thus marked * had served on some of the previous trials.</p></blockquote> - -<p>Davidson asked whether the Court would allow him and his -fellow-prisoner to sit down. The Court complied with his request, and -chairs were brought to them.</p> - -<p>Mr. Gurney having stated the case with great clearness and ingenuity, -he proceeded to call the witnesses for the Crown—beginning with,</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Robert Adams.</span> His evidence was the same as before, with -some additions. He said, that when the proposition was made for -assassinating the Ministers, it was added, that they had found out -where they kept their specie, and that they were to return and plunder -it. Bradburn was to make a box for the purpose of sending Castlereagh’s -head to Ireland.</p> - -<p>In cross-examination by Mr. Curwood, he said he came back to the belief -in Christianity about the 24th of February—the day after he was in -marvellous great danger of being hanged. The halter might have had -some effect. It was never lawful in his sight to sweep off fifteen men -in cold blood. He thought it was a cruel act when it was proposed. -Nevertheless, from the 12th of January to the 23d of February, he still -continued to frequent the society in which that matter was debated. -He was once a chairman. The largest body he ever saw collected was in -Cato-street. There was a talk of a great many more, but he did not -know them by name. His single sword was all he agreed to contribute. -He never heard where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> Mr. Cook’s party were to come from. Nobody -objected to the proclamation written by Thistlewood—“Your tyrants are -destroyed,” <i>&c.</i></p> - -<p>He did not know a man of the name of Chambers, nor did he ever call -upon such a man, and say he would have “wine and blood for supper,” -and solicit him to join in this plot. His object in joining their -parties was, to search further into the principles of Brunt; he joined -them because he had a foolish and curious idea to know what Brunt’s -principles were; and for this reason he joined in this plot. He did not -know a man of the name of Watman. Tidd did not say he had been deceived -in the loft in Cato-street; but he said, “it never can be done.”</p> - -<p>Tidd and Davidson now both expressed a wish to ask the witness some -questions:</p> - -<p>Mr. Baron Garrow humanely interposed, and suggested whether, for their -own advantage, it would not be more consistent with prudence to put -their questions through their Counsel, as they might do something -prejudicial to themselves.</p> - -<p>The prisoners both thanked his Lordship, and communicated to Mr. -Harmer’s clerk, the inquiries which they wished to be made.</p> - -<p>The witness then, in answer to questions put by Mr. Curwood, said, that -he could not say that Davidson was armed in Cato-street; he did not -notice any arms.</p> - -<p>In re-examination by the Solicitor-General, he said that Davidson -brought 500 bullets to Fox-court, on the 22d of February. He had -changed his religion in consequence of reading Paine’s <i>Age of Reason</i>, -which was put into his hand by the prisoner Tidd; he did not see Palin, -or Cook, or Potter, in Cato-street; he did not know of what numbers -their parties consisted.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Eleanor Walker</span>, <span class="smcap">Mary Rogers</span>, <span class="smcap">Joseph Hale</span>, -(apprentice to Brunt), were then called;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> they repeated their former -testimony as to the presence of Davidson and Tidd at the meetings in -Fox-court.</p> - -<p>Hale, in cross-examination by Mr. Curwood, said, that Edwards was -oftener at the meetings in Fox-court than Adams.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Smart</span> and <span class="smcap">Charles Bissex</span>, watchmen in -Grosvenor-square, were next called. They were followed by Hector -Morrison, servant to Mr. Underwood, the cutler; Henry Gillan, -of Mount-street, Grosvenor-square; Edward Simpson, James Aldous -(pawnbroker), John Monument, and Thomas Hyden, who communicated the -plot to Lord Harrowby. The last witness, in cross-examination, said, -that he had known Wilson for a long time. He agreed to join in the plot -to save himself. One evening at his friend Clark’s he was accused of -not supporting the committee, and Davidson said, “those that did not -come forward would be the men that they would first murder.” This made -him agree to what Wilson said.</p> - -<p>He knew a man named Bennet, but he never did ask him to attend ‘a -private radical meeting.’ He believed, he said, he might speak or not -speak when he was there, as he chose. He did not say “Radical meeting,” -nor did he say that he must take up arms, if he were called upon so to -do; he did not recollect saying so; he had no recollection that he ever -did say so.</p> - -<p>In re-examination, witness said he had been twice at a -shoemakers’-club, where he saw Davidson, Wilson, and Harrison. This -club was held at a public-house, called the Scotch Arms, in a court in -the Strand. He asked Bennet to go there with him, and Clark; that was -four or five or six months ago.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Monument</span>, <span class="smcap">Lord Harrowby</span>, and <span class="smcap">John -Baker</span>, his Lordship’s butler, were next examined, in confirmation -of the former witnesses; and these were followed by the officers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> and -other persons who were present at the occurrences in Cato-street, and -the subsequent arrest of Brunt and Thistlewood.</p> - -<p>Tidd, in reference to Ruthven’s evidence, said, that Ruthven, on -searching him, had said, “Curse me, here’s nothing here but a -tobacco-box.”</p> - -<p>Ruthven, on being asked by Mr. Baron Garrow, denied that he had made -use of any such expression.</p> - -<p>The Attorney-General now addressed their Lordships, and stated, “that -the case for the Crown had now been concluded, with the exception of -producing the arms and ammunition found in Cato-street and elsewhere. -As it was now late, (five o’clock) the Court would perhaps defer the -production of these things till the next morning.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Baron Garrow:—“Gentlemen of the Jury, the case for the prosecution -is now closed, all but the production of the arms. If by sitting late -there were any probability of bringing the trial to a close this night, -I should consult you as to the propriety of doing so; but as we cannot -finish it by sitting late, and thereby exhausting ourselves, this is -the best time for adjourning.”</p> - -<p>Davidson stood up and addressed the Court:—“My Lord, as I have been -taken by surprise, I am quite unprepared with my witnesses. I hope you -will allow my wife to see me this night, that notice may be given them -to attend.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Baron Garrow:—“The Court has no power to make any order on the -subject you have mentioned; but I can say that care will be taken that -any proper person may be admitted to you for any proper purpose.”</p> - -<p>The Court then adjourned till nine the next morning.</p> - -<p>Davidson took notes during the day, and frequently sent communications -to his counsel. He conducted himself altogether with great <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span>composure -and propriety. He paid close attention, and made his remarks, both -verbally and in writing, without effort or confusion.</p> - -<p>Tidd seemed to have perfect self-possession, but a flush that -occasionally animated his face indicated some hurry and eagerness of -mind.</p> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Second Day.</span>—<span class="smcap">Thursday</span>, <i>April 27, 1820</i>.</p> - -<p>This morning the Court assembled in pursuance of adjournment, at nine -o’clock. The prisoners, Tidd and Davidson were immediately put to the -bar. They were provided with chairs as on the preceding day. Davidson -had a bible in his hand, which appeared to have been much read, and -in the leaves of which were several marks. He had also a large book -composed of sheets of paper sewn together, in which there appeared to -be a good deal of writing, and in which he occasionally wrote while in -court.</p> - -<p>The arms, ammunition, and other materials of war, found in Cato-street, -and in other places, connected with the machinations of the prisoners, -were brought into court previous to the arrival of the judges.</p> - -<p>The Court having been opened in the customary form, <span class="smcap">Ruthven</span>, -the Bow-street officer, was called, and described the arms and other -articles taken in Cato-street, and on the persons of the prisoners. -These were again separately exhibited to the Jury.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Samuel Taunton</span> selected the ball cartridges, hand -grenades, pike, handles, and arms found in the lodgings of Tidd, at -Hole-in-the-wall-passage, Brook’s-market. We have already given their -enumeration. The long sword and carbine, taken from Davidson when he -was apprehended by Ellis and Chapman in Cato-street, as well as the -pistol<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> taken from Tidd, after he had attempted to discharge it at -Lieutenant Fitzclarence, were next produced, and underwent a minute -inspection.</p> - -<p>Sergeant <span class="smcap">Hanson</span> was next called; he repeated his description -of the fire-balls, and the probable effects which would result from -their being thrown upon buildings. He also explained the nature of the -powder in flannel bags, which, as before, he stated were cartridges for -six pounders. He then opened one of the hand-grenades, and exhibited -its component parts to the Jury. This one was only armed with four -large spike nails, but some of the others which were opened had no less -than twenty-five separate pieces of old iron enfolded within the outer -wrappings of rope-yarn. The large grenade, weighing nearly fourteen -pounds, and constructed in the same way, but upon a larger scale, was -not inspected.</p> - -<p>Mr. Gurney announced that he had closed the evidence on the part of the -Crown.</p> - -<p class="center">THE DEFENCE.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Curwood</span> rose to address the Jury on the part of the -prisoners. He said, “that he had now rose for the fourth time, to urge -those topics on behalf of the unfortunate men at the bar, which he had -previously submitted to other Juries in the course of these trials. The -force of those topics remained in his mind undiminished; he was still -conscientiously satisfied, that the charge of high treason in these -cases was alone supported by the testimony of Adams,—a man, the infamy -of whose character ought in his estimation, to deprive him of all -claims to credit.”</p> - -<p>The learned gentleman then went over the different points of the -evidence, and contended with great ingenuity, “that whatever might have -been the diabolical intentions of the prisoners—<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span>however ready they -might have been to inflict vengeance on those whom they might suppose -to be the authors of those melancholy transactions, but too frequently -designated as ‘the Manchester Massacre,’—yet, that in all these things -there was nothing in reason or common sense, that could lead to a fair -and rational conclusion that they had it in contemplation either to -compass and imagine the death of the king, or to levy war against the -king.</p> - -<p>“If the Jury, under all the circumstances, entertained with him -this opinion, he had no doubt they would not hesitate to acquit the -prisoners.”</p> - -<p>During the time Mr. Curwood was addressing the Jury, Davidson took -from his pocket a Bible, into several parts of which he inserted small -pieces of paper, for the purpose of enabling him to turn more readily -to certain passages which he intended to quote in his defence.</p> - -<p class="space-above">Mr. <span class="smcap">Adolphus</span> now called the witnesses for the defence.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Mary Barker</span>, the daughter of Tidd, deposed, that she knew -Edwards and Adams. Edwards left at her father’s house, about a -fortnight before the affair in Cato-street, a number of grenades and -some powder. Adams also left a very large grenade. They were to be -called for again. Edwards took them once away, and brought them back -afterwards. They were taken away again on the 23d of February by -Edwards; and some were brought back on the morning of the 24th, about -a quarter of an hour before the officers came. She did not know the -person by whom they were brought back. A box remained which had never -been opened.</p> - -<p>As the witness left the Court she squeezed her father’s hand. They -both seemed much affected. Tears came into the eyes of Tidd, which he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> -endeavoured to suppress. The daughter was in an agony of grief.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Chambers</span> deposed, that he lived in Heathcote-court, -Strand; Edwards and Adams repeatedly called upon him. They came -together to his house about a week before the Cato-street business, -when Edwards said, “Won’t you go along with us?” Witness said, “Go -where?” when Edwards answered, “Oh, you must know that there is -something on foot.” He replied, he did not; when Adams said, “We are -going to kill his Majesty’s Ministers, and we shall have blood and -wine for supper.” Edwards said, “By ——, Adams, you’re right.” On the -Monday before the Cato-street business they came again. Edwards brought -with him a bag, which he wished to leave with witness. He asked what it -contained; when Edwards said, “Only some pistols, and things of that -sort.” Witness would not receive it, and they went away. He saw no more -of them.</p> - -<p>In cross-examination, witness said, “I believe I have been sworn on -the prayer-book. I never was sworn before above twice; I believe in -Christianity. I was brought up in the Christian faith, and continue -in it. I am no member of any faction. I never saw Paine’s works. I -know the two prisoners. Davidson I know since the time of Mr. Hunt’s -procession. Tidd I have known only in the trade. I cannot say how -long; I might have known him at the Smithfield Meeting, and elsewhere. -I attended all the meetings held in the open air. I scorn all secret -meetings. I know Thistlewood, Ings, Harrison, Strange, and Bradburn. -I carried banners in some of the processions. I carried no weapons. -Thistlewood has been repeatedly at my house. I took all the flags to my -house. I saw him also at the Black Dog, in Gray’s Inn-lane. I used to -frequent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> the White Lion, in Wych-street; I went to attend the meetings -there. They called themselves Reformers. I was always in the waggons -with Hunt. When I refused to go with Adams and Edwards to kill his -Majesty’s Ministers, I did not think they would ever get any persons to -be so foolish as to join them. I may be a great fool, but not foolish -enough to enter into such a scheme. I did not communicate the project -to any magistrate. I never heard any thing said against his Majesty’s -Ministers, more than what I saw in the newspapers. I do not read -Paine’s works; I only read Cobbett, and have a drawer full of them. I -also read the Prayer-book and Bible.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Bennett</span> deposed, that he knew Hyden; he called on him to -ask him to accompany him to a private radical meeting. He endeavoured -to persuade him to go more than ten times. He told him, that he might -hear and see what was doing; but he need not speak unless he liked.</p> - -<p>Several witnesses were now called to the general character of the -prisoners.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Cook</span>, of Charlotte-street, Blackfriars’-road, knew -Davidson six years ago; he then worked for him, and was an industrious -hard-working man. He had not known much of him since.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">M’William</span>, an architect, knew Davidson at Aberdeen, in -the years 1800 and 1801; he was then studying mathematics; he had only -seen him three or four times since in the streets, and was surprised to -have been called on to give him a character. Davidson was, at the time -he was at Aberdeen, an apprentice to a cabinet-maker. He had been at -college, and had, in Mr. M’William’s estimation, “a gigantic mind.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Stephen Hale</span>, <span class="smcap">William French</span>, and <span class="smcap">Samuel -Lands</span>, spoke to the general correctness of the conduct of Tidd in -private life. He was an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> honest, industrious, hard-working man, and -apparently much attached to his family. Other witnesses were expected, -but did not attend.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Adolphus</span> addressed the Jury on behalf of the prisoners. -His speech was marked by an acute examination of the whole of the -evidence, a just and forcible reprobation of the atrocity of a -betraying accomplice, and an energetic and powerful appeal to the Jury, -not to condemn men on the evidence of an avowed conspirator, who had -broken the bonds of society, forfeited his allegiance to his Sovereign, -and his duty to God. The learned gentleman, in the course of a very -eloquent speech of an hour and a half, remarked that it would be the -last time he should appear on these trials.</p> - -<p class="space-above"><i>Baron Garrow</i> then addressed the prisoner as follows:—“William -Davidson, the law of England, in its excessive tenderness to persons -indicted for high treason, has allowed them privileges of defence not -extended to other cases. If, therefore, in addition to the able defence -of your Counsel, you wish to say any thing, now is the time. Do it -deliberately, and the Court will hear you attentively.”</p> - -<p><i>Davidson</i> then rose, greatly agitated, and spoke nearly as -follows:—“I am much obliged to your Lordship, and will call your -attention to a few particulars in this instance. My Lord, from my -life up, I have always maintained the character of an industrious and -inoffensive man. I have no friends in England, but have always depended -upon my own exertions for support. I have an extensive family, and for -their sake alone is my life a value to me.</p> - -<p>“The charge which has been brought against me, I can lay my hand upon -my heart, and, in the presence of that God whom I revere, say I am not -guilty of. Concerning how I came in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> possession of the blunderbuss I -will state. I had a friend, whose name is Williamson, who told me he -had bought an old blunderbuss, which was all over rust. He was going to -the Cape of Good Hope, and gave it to me to clean.</p> - -<p>“I have been doing business for myself for the last five years, and -that is the reason I cannot bring any more of my employers than Mr. -Cook to speak in my behalf. To Mr. Edwards I owe being brought into -this situation. I never knew any thing of him till I attended Mr. -Hunt’s procession; that was the first time I ever went into public -in my life. Mr. Edwards told me that he would take me to a place to -have this blunderbuss raffled for. When I went to the place, I there -saw Mr. Thistlewood for the second time; I had previously seen him at -Mr. Hunt’s dinner. I saw Mr. Adams there also, but I knew none of the -others. Mr. Edwards proposed to commence raffling for the blunderbuss; -but, as they did not put down any money, I would not agree. I then -heard a great deal of improper language, and would not stop.</p> - -<p>“I went to Mr. Williamson, who was waiting to know the result, and told -him what had passed. He then said that he wanted to get some money, and -I proposed pledging the blunderbuss with a pawnbroker. He agreed, and -requested me to take it for him. I did so, and got seven shillings upon -it from Mr. Aldous, who knew me. The money I gave to Mr. Williamson. -I afterwards went to see Mr. Williamson on board the Belle Alliance, -which was about to sail for the Cape. He made me a present of the -ticket.</p> - -<p>“On the 22d of February, Edwards called upon me, and told me that he -had been to see Mr. Williamson, and that he had given him an order to -get the ticket for the blunderbuss. I said very well, and consented -to go and get it out of pledge for him, as, he said, he was to get<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> -ten shillings by it, part of which I was to have, and he gave seven -shillings and two-pence for that purpose. He told me to meet him at the -corner of Oxford-street, which I did; when he said he would take me to -Fox-court, where there was a countryman of mine; a man of colour he -meant. I objected to going.</p> - -<p>“My Lord, I never associated with men of colour, although one myself, -because I always found them very ignorant.</p> - -<p>“I now pass over to the sword concern; I shall state the truth. On -a Monday after the Manchester massacre, I met a person of the name -of George Goldworthy, to whom I had been apprentice in Liverpool; he -expressed his surprise at seeing me in London; I told him I was out of -employment, and that there was nothing worse than being a small master, -as all the rest of the trade, from jealousy, set their face against me; -he said he had a little business of his own in the country, and that he -would employ me if I would go. I agreed to go at 30<i>s.</i> a week. He then -appointed me to meet him at a house he called the Horse and Groom, in -John-street, Edgware-road, on the Wednesday following. All this time I -did not know that Goldworthy was an acquaintance of Edwards’s, but he -was.</p> - -<p>“On Wednesday evening accordingly I went to the Horse and Groom. I -looked into the house, but did not see Goldworthy. I stopped at the -corner to wait for him, my lord, which your lordship and gentlemen must -well know I being a conspicuous character would not have done, if I -was about any thing improper. I saw Adams there; but I went on to walk -a little further. On my return I saw several persons going in and out -of the house, but still Goldworthy did not come. A little after eight -o’clock, while I was in the Edgeware-road, up came Goldworthy. He asked -me if I was not surprised he had not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> come. I said I was. He then said -he was going to call upon a friend, and gave me a sword, which he said -he carried for self-protection against thieves about the country.</p> - -<p>“At this time I had not the least intention of any thing directly or -indirectly concerning the business in Cato-street. I went down the -street accidentally, and hearing two or three pistols fired, I went to -see what was the matter. I never was afraid of any man. I then heard a -cry of “Stop thief!” and I was seized and taken to gaol. I never drew -the cutlass nor offered to strike; but gave myself up quietly.</p> - -<p>“I have ventured my life fifteen times for my country and my King, and -ask you, gentlemen, if you think it possible that I should be so vain -as to attempt to join a few weak men to trample down that well-founded -constitution, in which this country has so much reason to glory? I -would scorn such an act—and I solemnly protest there was nothing found -on me but the sword which I received from Goldworthy, and a little -block.</p> - -<p>“It was said, that I said ‘I would die for liberty’s cause,’ and that I -was searched in a public house; this is not true; and if the landlord -was here he would prove the contrary. I know nothing at all of the plot -in Cato-street, directly or indirectly. I know nothing of a plot to -plunder—to burn houses—or to massacre the Ministers. I did not know -that any such plot was in existence.</p> - -<p>“I will now, my Lords and Gentlemen, give you an instance where one -man of colour may be mistaken for another—as must have been my case. -Whenever I had any leisure time I employed it as a teacher in a -Sunday-school: there a similar mistake was made. A person, a man of -colour, insulted one of the female teachers at Walworth. The young lady -said it was me, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> I found I was slighted, although nothing was said. -I sent in my resignation, when the gentlemen waited upon me in a body, -and stated what had been alleged to my charge. I was so confounded, -that I could not say any thing, and let them go away without making any -defence. I afterwards, however, set myself to work, and actually found -the man who had committed the offence, made him acknowledge it, and beg -the young lady’s pardon. The young lady could not look me in the face, -knowing how she had injured me, but held out her hand as a token of her -regret.</p> - -<p>“Now, my lord and gentlemen, this shows how one man may be mistaken -for another. I would as lieve be put to death as suppose that you, my -lord, or the gentlemen of the crown, should think me capable, for one -moment, of harbouring a thought to massacre any person whatever.” (Here -the prisoner applied for a glass of water, which was handed to him.) -“Although I am a man of colour, that is no reason that I should be -guilty of such a crime. My colour may be against me, but I have as good -and as fair a heart as if I were a white.</p> - -<p>“I have a very few words more to say. I have a very numerous family, -and a wife that never earned me a penny in her life. All my distress -arose from the consideration of the helpless situation of my family. -Were it not for that, I would not care what became of me. Like Isaiah -it may be said of me, ‘He was persecuted, yet he opened not his mouth.’ -As a father, I wish to discharge my duty,—for them I wish to live—and -for their sakes I wish, if possible, to clear up the black charge which -has been brought against me.</p> - -<p>“First of all, Mr. Adams positively swore that he had not seen me in -the loft, and that I was down stairs; and then comes Mr. Monument, -who said that I addressed the congregation, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> told those that were -afraid of their lives to walk out. They must see that this was an -exaggeration, and in fact altogether an invention, or would not both -of these men who were present at the same time have agreed in the same -story? I admit that I was in Cato-street; but even admitting this, what -does it amount to?</p> - -<p>“I now very well know that Mr. Goldworthy was an accomplice of Edwards, -and it is clear that by these persons, for purposes best known to -themselves, I was entrapped into this snare. As for myself, my Lord, -I have served my country, and done all that I could do for it. I -have supported my family by honest industry, and I never directly -or indirectly associated with any persons at public places. I never -attended any meeting but as a common spectator.</p> - -<p>“I know nothing of these men (Tidd and the other prisoners). I have no -knowledge of their plots; I do not blame the gentlemen of the crown for -the manner in which they have conducted this case; because they have -done no more than their duty, according to the evidence which has been -brought before them; but I say, the witnesses, as far as regards me, -are altogether false sworn. I have selected a few passages from the -Bible, which I wish to read on this subject, and these I offer, not for -the purpose of insulting the court. The indictment charges that I did -certain things ‘not having the fear of God before my eyes, but having -been instigated by the devil.’ Now, I always had the fear of God before -me, and always cherished the feelings of virtue and humanity. I always -subscribed to the beautiful lines of Mr. Pope:—</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>“If I am right, thy grace impart,</div> -<div class="i1">Still in the right to stay;</div> -<div>If I am wrong, oh! teach my heart,</div> -<div class="i1">To find that better way.</div> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span>Teach me to feel another’s woe;</div> -<div class="i1">To hide the fault I see:</div> -<div>The mercy I to others show,</div> -<div class="i1">That mercy show to me.”</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>“The verses from this sacred Book, which I think applicable to my case -on the present occasion, are these:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>‘One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, -for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two -witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be -established.</p> - -<p>‘If a false witness rise up against any man, to testify against -him that which is wrong;</p> - -<p>‘Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand -before the Lord, before the priests and the judges which shall be -in those days.</p> - -<p>‘And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and behold, if -the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against -his brother;</p> - -<p>‘Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto -his brother; so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.</p> - -<p>‘And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth -commit no more any such evil among you.</p> - -<p>‘And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for -eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.’</p></blockquote> - -<p>“These words, gentlemen of the Jury, I wish to impress on your minds.</p> - -<p>“I am a stranger to England by birth; but I was educated and brought -up in England; my father was an Englishman, my grandfather was a -Scotchman; I may too claim the prerogative of an Englishman, from -having been in the country from my infancy,—still I have not a friend -in England,—I have not a relative who will stretch out his hand to my -helpless family. Then will you not think it hard to have my life taken -away for a scene of intended iniquity, of which I know nothing. To have -me torn from the bosom of her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> whom I lived but to cherish,—to have -me exposed to the ruthless knife of the executioner, while my innocent -starving babes seek in vain for consolation.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i324.jpg" alt="Richard Tidd" /></div> - -<p>“Gentlemen, when I think of this, it unmans me. I am no plotter—no -assassin—no traitor! Look well to the evidence, and to your own -hearts, before you pronounce the fatal verdict of ‘Guilty.’</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, the Earl of Harrowby I have known for years; I worked on -his Lordship’s estate in Staffordshire. Gentlemen, I knew him but to -respect him;—and yet it is suggested that I could raise the dagger of -the murderer to his breast.—Forbid it providence! Had I known that -this plot existed, I would have been the first to warn his Lordship -of his danger; but I declare solemnly that I knew not of such an -intention. I knew nothing of all these dark and bloody projects.</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen, I have now done. I repeat, I will readily submit to death -if you think me capable of harbouring an intention to commit the crime -of high treason. If that is your persuasion, pronounce your verdict -accordingly. I hope my death may prove useful to my country,—for still -England I call thee so,—and I trust that those by whom I shall be -condemned, may lay down their lives with as clear a conscience.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Baron Garrow</span>, then addressed Tidd as follows:—“Richard Tidd, -do you wish to add any thing to what your counsel has stated for you? -If you do, this is the proper time.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Tidd</span> rose, and said, in a meek and humble voice, “The first -thing I have got to say is, that I had the misfortune to get acquainted -with Brunt about a month before Christmas, by his frequently going to -see Adams, who was living next door to me; our windows joined; by that -means I became acquainted with him.</p> - -<p>“During the Christmas holidays, we kept<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> them together; after the -holidays, I was introduced to Edwards, who does not now appear -against me; he was constantly coming to me afterwards; I always was a -hard-working man, working sixteen and eighteen hours a day. I never -had any time to spare, except on a Sunday. Messrs. Edwards and Brunt -together told me that there were certain meetings going on.</p> - -<p>“I never attended any meeting after the acts to prevent illegal -meetings, till Edwards told me that he had authority to state from -persons high in rank, that meetings might take place to procure reform -in Parliament. I was then introduced to a room, where I was taken to, -in Brunt’s house. I did not see there any thing particular, till the -Sunday when I was proposed to take the chair.</p> - -<p>“Certain propositions were then made, which made me declare I would -never more attend such meetings, and I fully determined that I would -not keep company with them afterwards. Prior to this Edwards came up -to my house, and said, that he had got certain materials, and Mr. -Thistlewood would be obliged to me if I would let them remain in my -house. I said, I would allow no such thing. He then went away, but -in the evening he came and brought the things, which the officers -afterwards seized.</p> - -<p>“On Tuesday, Edwards and Brunt came to me, and asked me if I kept to my -determination—they added, that all the proceedings that were going on -were entirely flustered; they then said there was to be a meeting of -the Mary-le-bone Union, and asked me to go.</p> - -<p>“Edwards said, every body going there for self-preservation took a -weapon of defence. I told him I had none; he said, if I had not, the -club would supply me with one; he then pulled out a pistol, and said, -you ought to arm yourself now. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span></p> - -<p>“He also had a sword-stick, which he offered me. He afterwards gave -me a direction where the meeting was to be held. I have it now in -my pocket.”—[Here the prisoner produced a small piece of paper, -on which was written these words:—‘Horse and Groom, John-street, -Edgeware-road.’]</p> - -<p>Tidd then went on. “During Wednesday, while I was at work, Edwards and -Brunt came to me, and said there was some people I must bring to the -club. I afterwards took Monument, but I do declare before you I never -knew any thing about a cabinet-dinner. It was never mentioned to me. I -was introduced into the stable, and in ten minutes after the officers -came in and apprehended me.</p> - -<p>“This is all I have to say, and you may depend I have told the truth.”</p> - -<p class="space-above">The <i>Attorney-General</i> rose to reply, and proceeded to point out the -various instances in which the evidence of Adams had been confirmed: -it was confirmed by Monument, who had not been deeply concerned in -the plot; but it was much more strongly confirmed by Hyden, who was -no accomplice, and who was in every way worthy of belief. There was, -he contended, a compleat chain of evidence, to prove that there was a -conspiracy to overturn the government: and if they believed that the -two prisoners at the bar took a prominent part in it, they could have -no hesitation as to the verdict they should give.</p> - -<p>Mr. <i>Baron Garrow</i>, proceeded to deliver his charge to the Jury. He -went over the whole of the evidence, and commented on all the material -parts of it in a most perspicuous manner. While his lordship was -reading over the evidence of Monument, the prisoner Davidson caused a -written paper to be conveyed to him, and said he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> hoped it might be -read as a part of his defence, which he had before forgot to notice. -The learned Judge observed, that although it was not strictly regular -to comply with the prisoner’s request in the present stage of the -business, yet he was ready to allow him to make any statement which -might be of use to him. The statement was, that his (Davidson’s) house -had been searched, and nearly pulled down, and not the slightest -evidence was there found which went to show that he had been guilty of -any conspiracy.</p> - -<p>After his Lordship had read over the evidence of Hyden, he said it was -the most important of any that had been given to the Court, because -the conspiracy had been communicated to him by one of the parties, -who invited him to assist in it; and because he went immediately and -communicated to Lord Harrowby the danger which ministers were in. He -pretended to show a readiness to join the conspirators, but he never -did join them; and one reason for not refusing to take a part in the -plot was, a threat held out that any man who did not join would be put -to death.</p> - -<p>“The learned counsel for the prisoners had endeavoured to throw some -discredit on this witness, on the ground of his being an accomplice; -but there was not the slightest ground for such a supposition; nor -did it appear to him that the slightest inroad had been made on his -testimony. On the contrary, he ought to be considered as an instrument -in the hands of Providence in saving fifteen of the first men in the -country, and perhaps many others, from destruction; and all persons -then present in Court, ought to consider themselves indebted to him.</p> - -<p>“Here it was clearly in evidence, that the intention of the -conspirators was to murder the most respectable and virtuous characters -in the kingdom; and that not content with that, they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> were to destroy -the house of the Bishop of London, one of the most amiable men in the -kingdom, who of all other men in the world was the least likely to give -offence to any body.</p> - -<p>“What then could be their motive for all these unprovoked atrocities, -but the ulterior object of revolution? If plunder was their object, -where were the implements in which they were to carry away their -plunder? What necessity was there to add murder to their offence? What -occasion had they for a box full of ball cartridges? What was their -object in all this, but the ulterior object of effecting a revolution? -The usual argument of inadequacy of means had been used on this -occasion; and it was said, nothing certainly could be more preposterous -than to suppose a revolution could be effected by such contemptible -means; but it was proved, that a plan had been formed—that a band of -ruffians, reeking with the blood of the most illustrious men in the -kingdom, had intended to overturn the government, by stirring up the -people to insurrection.</p> - -<p>“Such men as these might imagine that the object could be effectual, -without ever considering the adequacy of the means. Before the -commencement of the French Revolution, the first beginnings were -as contemptible as this; and every body knew the vast extent and -the wide-spreading desolation, by which these small beginnings were -followed.”</p> - -<p>After a variety of other observations, all tending to show that the -evidence of the accomplices was confirmed in various instances by -credible witnesses, particularly by Joseph Hale, the apprentice of -Brunt; and by Hyden, the cow-keeper, who was no party in the plot, and -who acted honestly and conscientiously, his Lordship concluded his -charge.</p> - -<p>The Jury then retired, and after an absence of forty minutes, returned -with a verdict of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> “GUILTY UPON THE THIRD COUNT,” with the exception -of the eighth and tenth overt-acts. The count in question alleged a -conspiracy to levy war.</p> - -<p class="space-above">At the conclusion of the trial of Tidd and Davidson,</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Curwood</span> addressed the Court, intimating a desire, on -the part of James Wilson, to withdraw his plea of misnomer to the -indictment against him for high treason, and to plead “Guilty,” and the -Attorney-General stating that he had no objection to this course,</p> - -<p>James Wilson was put to the bar, and, on being questioned by Mr. -Shelton, pleaded Guilty.</p> - -<p class="space-above">Mr. <span class="smcap">Walford</span> then said, he was instructed to make a similar -tender on the part of the five remaining prisoners, and</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Baron Garrow</span> directed the prisoners to be brought to the -bar.</p> - -<p>John Harrison, Richard Bradburn, John Shaw Strange, James Gilchrist, -and Charles Cooper, were then brought into the Court, and</p> - -<p>Mr. Walford again addressed his lordship, and said that he had watched, -with great diligence, the whole of these proceedings, and from what -had passed under his observation, he thought he should best consult -the interests of the five unhappy men at the bar, for whom, with his -learned friend (Mr. Broderick), he was counsel, by recommending them to -acknowledge the deepness of their offending, and to throw themselves on -the leniency of their Sovereign, who, he was persuaded, would follow -the steps of his revered father, by tempering justice with mercy.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Broderick</span> said, he too had watched with the most anxious -solicitude the progress of the trials which had taken place upon this -indictment, and he felt satisfied that he could not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> better consult the -interests of the prisoners, than by adopting the course suggested by -his learned friend. These unfortunate men were desirous of making the -only reparation in their power to the offended laws of their country, -by acknowledging their guilt. They did not ask for mercy, but they -entertained a hope that their contrition would have the desired effect, -and would induce an extension towards them of that brightest attribute -in the person of the Sovereign.</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Baron Garrow</span> then explained to the prisoners the situation -in which they stood, and that their plea must be received without any -pledge on his part, and with a full understanding that they were to -receive judgment to die.</p> - -<p>They all expressed their concurrence in what had been said by their -counsel, and, having withdrawn their previous plea of <i>Not Guilty</i>, -they pleaded <i>Guilty</i>, and were removed from the bar; and the gentlemen -of the Jury were dismissed with the thanks of their country.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center">SENTENCE OF DEATH.</p> - -<p>The following morning, Friday April 28th, at a quarter after nine, Lord -Chief-Justice Abbot, Chief Justice Dallas, the Chief Baron, Mr. Justice -Richards, Mr. Justice Best, and the Common Sergeant, took their seats.</p> - -<p>Mr. Brown, the gaoler, was immediately requested to bring the prisoners -to the bar. In a few minutes the clank of chains was heard, and the -eleven prisoners entered the court. They were all double ironed, -with the exception of Ings, who had been much indisposed since his -conviction. Thistlewood came first, and advanced to the bar. There was -a melancholy resignation in his countenance, and his appearance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> was -considerably altered since the last time of his being in Court.</p> - -<p>All being in readiness,</p> - -<p>Mr. Shelton (the clerk of the arraigns), addressing himself to -Thistlewood, said,</p> - -<p>“Arthur Thistlewood, you stand convicted of High Treason;—what have -you say why you should not receive judgment to die, according to law?”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Thistlewood</span> immediately drew forth a manuscript address, which -he proceeded to read in a mournful tone, as follows:—</p> - -<p>“My Lords,—I am asked, my Lord, what I have to say that judgment of -death should not be passed upon me according to law. This to me is -mockery—for were the reasons I could offer incontrovertible, and -were they enforced even by the eloquence of a Cicero, still would the -vengeance of my Lords Castlereagh and Sidmouth be satiated only in the -purple stream which circulates through a heart more enthusiastically -vibrating to every impulse of patriotism and honour, than that of any -of those privileged traitors to their country, who lord it over the -lives and property of the sovereign people with barefaced impunity.</p> - -<p>“The reasons which I have, however, I will now state—not that I -entertain the slightest hope from your sense of justice or from your -pity. The former is swallowed up in your ambition, or rather by the -servility you descend to, to obtain the object of that ambition—the -latter I despise. Justice I demand. If I am denied it, your pity is no -equivalent. In the first place,</p> - -<p>“I protest against the proceedings upon my trial, which I conceive to -be grossly partial, and contrary to the very spirit of justice,—but, -alas! the judges, who have heretofore been considered the counsel of -the accused, are now, without exception, in all cases between the Crown -and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> the People, the most implacable enemies of the latter. In every -instance, the Judges charge the Jury to find the subject guilty; nay, -in one instance, the Jury received a reprimand, and that not in the -gentlest terms, for not strictly obeying the imperious mandate from the -bench.</p> - -<p>“The Court decided upon my trial to commit murder rather than depart, -in the slightest degree, from its usual forms. Nay, it is with me -a question, if the form is usual which precluded me from examining -witnesses to prove the infamy of Adams, of Hyden, and of Dwyer. ’Ere -the Solicitor-General replied to the address of my Counsel, I applied -to the Court to hear my witnesses. The Court inhumanly refused, and I -am in consequence to be consigned to the scaffold.</p> - -<p>“Numerous have been the instances in which this rule of Court has been -infringed; but to have infringed it in my case, would have been to -incur the displeasure of the Court, and to forfeit every aspiring hope -of promotion.</p> - -<p>“A few hours hence and I shall be no more; but the nightly breeze which -will whistle over the silent grave that shall protect me from its -keenness, will bear to your restless pillow the memory of one who lived -but for his country,—and died when liberty and justice had been driven -from its confines by a set of villains, whose thirst for blood is only -to be equalled by their activity in plunder.</p> - -<p>“For life, as it respects myself, I care not; but, while yet I may, I -would rescue my memory from the calumny which, I doubt not, will be -industriously heaped upon it, when it will be no longer in my power to -protect it.</p> - -<p>“I would explain the motives which induced me to conspire against the -Ministers of his Majesty; and I would contrast them with those which -these very ministers have acted upon in leading me to my ruin. To do -this, it will be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> necessary to take a short review of my life, for a -few months prior to my arrest for the offence for which I am to be -executed without a trial, or, at least, without an impartial one by a -jury of my peers.</p> - -<p>“’Tis true, the form, the etiquette of a trial has been gone through; -but I challenge any of the Judges on the bench to tell me—to tell my -country—that justice was not denied me in the very place where justice -only should have been administered. I challenge them to say that I was -fairly tried. I challenge them to say if I am not murdered according to -the etiquette of a Court (falsely denominated) of Justice.</p> - -<p>“I had witnesses in Court to prove that Dwyer was a villain, beyond -all example of atrocity.—I had witnesses in Court to prove that Adams -was a notorious swindler, and that Hyden was no better.—These were -the three witnesses—indeed, almost the only ones—against me.—But -the form and rules of Court must not be infringed upon, to save an -unfortunate individual from the scaffold.</p> - -<p>“I called those witnesses at the close of Mr. Adolphus’s address to the -Jury, and before the Solicitor-General commenced his reply; but the -Court decided that they could not be heard.</p> - -<p>“Some good men have thought—and I have thought so too—that before -the Jury retired, all evidence was in time, for either the prosecutor -or the accused; and more particularly for the latter; nay, even before -the verdict was given, that evidence could not be considered too late. -Alas! such people drew their conclusion from principles of justice -only; they never canvassed the rules of Court, which have finally -settled my unhappy doom!</p> - -<p>“Many people who are acquainted with the barefaced manner in which I -was plundered by my Lord Sidmouth, will, perhaps, imagine that personal -motives instigated me to the deed; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> I disclaim them. My every -principle was for the prosperity of my country. My every feeling—the -height of my ambition—was the welfare of my starving countrymen. I -keenly felt for their miseries; but, when their miseries were laughed -at, and when, because they dared to express those miseries, they were -cut down by hundreds, barbarously massacred, and trampled to death; -when infants were sabred in their mother’s arms, and the breast, from -which they drew the tide of life, was severed from the parent’s body, -my feelings became too intense, too excessive for endurance, and I -resolved on vengeance—I resolved that the lives of the instigators -should be a requiem to the souls of the murdered innocents.</p> - -<p>“In this mood I met with George Edwards. And if any doubt should -remain upon the minds of the public, whether the deed I meditated was -virtuous, or contrary, the tale I will now relate will convince them -that, in attempting to exercise a power which the law had ceased to -have, I was only wreaking national vengeance on a set of wretches -unworthy the name or character of men.</p> - -<p>“This Edwards, poor and pennyless, lived near Picket-street, in the -Strand, some time ago, without a bed to lie upon, or a chair to sit in. -Straw was his bed—his only covering a blanket; but, owing to his bad -character, and his swindling conduct, he was driven even from thence by -his landlord.</p> - -<p>“It is not my intention trace him through his immorality. Suffice it to -say that he was, in every sense of the word, a villain of the deepest -atrocity. His landlord refused to give him a character.</p> - -<p>“Some short time after this he called upon his landlord again—but mark -the change in his appearance. Dressed like a lord, in all the folly -of the reigning fashion, he now described himself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> as the right heir -to a German Baron, who had been some time dead, and stated that Lords -Castlereagh and Sidmouth had acknowledged his claims to the title and -property, had interfered in his behalf with the German government, -and supplied him with money to support his rank in society. From this -period I date his career as a Government Spy.</p> - -<p>“He procured an introduction to the Spenceans—by what means I am not -aware of—and thus he became acquainted with the Reformers in general.</p> - -<p>“When I met with Edwards after the massacre at Manchester, he described -himself as very poor; and, after several interviews, he proposed a -plan for blowing up the House of Commons. This was not my view: I -wished to punish the guilty only, and therefore I declined it. He next -proposed that we should attack the Ministers at the <i>fête</i> given by the -Spanish Ambassador. This I resolutely opposed, because the innocent -would perish with the guilty;—besides, there were ladies invited to -the entertainment—and I, who am shortly to ascend to the scaffold, -shuddered with horror at the idea of that, a sample of which had -previously been given by the Agents of Government at Manchester, and -which the Ministers of his Majesty applauded.</p> - -<p>“Edwards was ever at invention; and at length he proposed attacking -them at a cabinet-dinner. I asked, where were the means to carry his -project into effect? He replied, if I would accede, we should not want -for means. He was as good as his word: from him came, notwithstanding -his apparent penury, the money provided for purchasing the stores which -your Lordships have seen produced in Court upon my trial.</p> - -<p>“He who was never possessed of money to pay for a pint of beer, -had always plenty to purchase arms or ammunition. Amongst the -conspirators,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> he was ever the most active;—ever inducing people to -join him, up to the last hour ere the undertaking was discovered.</p> - -<p>“I had witnesses in Court who could prove they went to Cato-street by -appointment with Edwards, with no other knowledge or motive than that -of passing an evening amongst his friends.</p> - -<p>“I could also have proved that subsequent to the fatal transaction, -when we met in Holborn, he endeavoured to induce two or three of my -companions to set fire to houses and buildings in various parts of the -metropolis.</p> - -<p>“I could prove that subsequent to that again, he endeavoured to induce -men to throw hand-grenades into the carriages of ministers as they -passed through the streets; and yet this man, the contriver, the -instigator, the entrapper, is screened from justice and from exposure, -by those very men who seek vengeance against the victims of his and -their villany.</p> - -<p>“To the Attorney and Solicitor-General I cannot impute the clearest -motives. Their object seems to me to have been rather to obtain a -verdict against me, than to obtain a full and fair exposition of the -whole affair since its commencement. If their object was justice alone, -why not bring forward Edwards as a witness, if not as an accomplice; -but no, they knew that by keeping Edwards in the background, my -proofs—aye, my incontrovertible proofs of his being a hired spy, the -suggestor and promoter—must, according to the rules of court, also be -excluded.</p> - -<p>“Edwards and his accomplices arranged matters in such a manner as that -his services might be dispensed with on the trial, and thus were the -Jury cut off from every chance of ascertaining the real truth. Adams, -Hyden, and Dwyer, were the agents of Edwards, and truly he made a most -admirable choice, for their invention seems to be inexhaustible. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span></p> - -<p>“With respect to the immorality of our project, I will just observe, -that the assassination of a tyrant has always been deemed a meritorious -action. Brutus and Cassius were lauded to the very skies for slaying -Cæsar; indeed, when any man, or any set of men, place themselves above -the laws of their country, there is no other means of bringing them -to justice than through the arm of a private individual. If the laws -are not strong enough to prevent them from murdering the community, it -becomes the duty of every member of that community to rid his country -of its oppressors.</p> - -<p>“High treason was committed against the people at Manchester, but -justice was closed against the mutilated, the maimed, and the friends -of those who were upon that occasion indiscriminately massacred. The -Sovereign, by the advice of his Ministers, thanked the murderers, while -yet reeking in the blood of their hapless victims! If one spark of -honour—if one spark of patriotism—had still glimmered in the breasts -of Englishmen, they would have risen to a man—for Insurrection then -became a public duty—and the <i>Blood of the Slain</i> should have been the -watchword to vengeance on their murderers. The banner of independence -should have floated in the gale that brought the tidings of their -wrongs and their sufferings to the metropolis!—Such, however, was -not the case, and Albion is still in the chains of slavery—I quit it -without regret—I shall soon be consigned to the grave—my body will be -immured beneath the soil whereon I first drew breath. My only sorrow -is, that the soil should be a theatre for slaves, for cowards, for -despots.</p> - -<p>“My motives, I doubt not, will hereafter be justly appreciated. I will -therefore now conclude by stating, that I shall consider myself as -murdered, if I am to be executed on the verdict obtained against me, by -the refusal of the court to hear my evidence. </p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i338.jpg" alt="William Davidson" /></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span></p> - -<p>“I could have proved Dwyer to be a villain of the blackest dye, for, -since my trial, an accomplice of his, named Arnold, has been capitally -convicted at this very bar, for obtaining money under circumstances of -an infamous nature.</p> - -<p>“I seek not pity—I demand but justice:—I have not had a fair trial, -and, upon that ground, I protest that judgment ought not to be passed -against me.”</p> - -<p>It is impossible to describe the feelings of horror and disgust -which pervaded the mind of every individual in the court during the -delivery of this most treasonable and ferocious harangue.—It was of -course expected that the wretched criminals would offer something -in extenuation of the crimes of which they had been convicted, but -it could never have been conceived that any man existed so deeply -depraved, and so dreadfully hardened in crime, as to venture to justify -projects of assassination, and to propagate doctrines of treason and -murder, while standing as it were on the very brink of eternity, and -about to be ushered into the presence of that God whom he had braved, -by the impious and inhuman declarations to which he had just given -utterance.</p> - -<p>Mr. Shelton next addressed himself to <span class="smcap">Davidson</span>, and put to him -the same question which he had put to Thistlewood. Davidson advanced, -and spoke to the following effect:</p> - -<p>“My Lords, you ask me what I have to say why I should not receive -judgment to die for what has been said against me? I answer that I -protest against the proceedings in this trial in toto.</p> - -<p>“In the first place, I always thought that in a court of justice the -balance of justice was held with an even hand. But this has not been -the case with me; I stand here helpless and friendless. I endeavoured -to shew that the evidence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> against me was contradictory and incredible, -and I hoped I had made an impression on the gentlemen in the box; but -the moment I was done, the Attorney-General got up, and told them that -the evidence was pure and uncontaminated, and to this I may add, that -Mr. Baron Garrow almost insisted that they should pronounce me guilty.</p> - -<p>“I would ask, has any person identified me but the officers? who, every -one knows, have at all times been instrumental in the death of innocent -persons.</p> - -<p>“I do not now plead for my life; I know I must fall a victim to the -vengeance of my enemies. But in what manner have I been guilty of High -Treason? It would seem I was a silent spectator; none of the witnesses -impute to me a single observation. Now is this probable? I had always -got a great deal to say for myself, consequently I was not the person -who would stand by without uttering a word; and yet such has been the -testimony of Adams.</p> - -<p>“Then, with regard to the blunderbuss;—I have already explained that -this was not mine, and that I acted in that affair entirely as the -agent of Edwards. I have also declared how I came by the sword, and I -now declare upon my soul, which will shortly appear before its Maker, -that I never made any blow at any man, or discharged any carbine.</p> - -<p>“As for Munday, the man who swore that I had a long sword, with a pair -of pistols in my girdle, who is he? He is a poor labouring man who -comes here for his day’s pay and his victuals, to swear away the life -of a fellow creature, and to support the unfounded charge against me -that I meant to assassinate his Majesty’s Ministers.</p> - -<p>“I appeal to any man, whether it is upon such evidence the life of an -innocent man is to be sacrificed? But even supposing, for the sake of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span>argument, that the lives of his Majesty’s Ministers were threatened, -it did not follow that this was to extend to the King himself.</p> - -<p>“In a passage of Magna Charta, it was ordained that twenty-five barons -should be nominated to see that the terms of the charter were not -infringed; and, if it was found that his Majesty’s Ministers were -guilty of such infringement, then four barons were to call upon them -for redress. If this were not granted, then the four barons were -to return to their brethren, by whom the people were to be called -together to take up arms, and assert their rights. Such an act was not -considered in old times as an act of treason towards the king, however -hostile it might be towards his ministers. But this does not apply to -me.</p> - -<p>“I had no intention of joining in any scheme whatever, either to put -down my King, or to murder his Ministers. I was entrapped by Goldworthy -and Edwards, in order for some private purposes of their own, that they -might have my life sworn away.</p> - -<p>“I have no objection to tender my life in the service of my country; -but let me at least, for the sake of my children, save my character -from the disgrace of dying a traitor. For my children only do I feel, -and when I think of them I am deprived of utterance—I can say no more.”</p> - -<p class="space-above"><span class="smcap">James Ings</span> was next asked what he had to say, why he should -not receive judgment to die? He replied—</p> - -<p>“I have very little to say. My abilities will not allow me to speak. -If Mr. Edwards had not got acquainted with me I should not be here. -He came to me, unfortunately when I had no business, nor no means of -getting a livelihood for my family. I entered into the conspiracy only -through him; and it was only necessity, and the want of the means to -support my wife and family that brought me here. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span></p> - -<p>“It is only through Edwards that I shall lose my life. I do not mind -dying, if you will let that man come forward, and die with me on the -scaffold. It was through him that I was going to do that which, I must -allow, was of a most disgraceful and inhuman nature.</p> - -<p>“On the other hand, his Majesty’s Ministers conspire together, and -impose laws to starve me and my family and fellow-countrymen; and if I -was going to assassinate these Ministers, I do not see that it is so -bad as starvation, in my opinion, my Lord.</p> - -<p>“There is another thing, my Lord. A meeting was called at Manchester, -under the protection of the law of England, for which our forefathers -died, and which King John signed in the open air. This meeting was -called under the protection of that law, for the people to petition -parliament to give them their rights; but, previous to the business of -the meeting, the Manchester yeomanry rode in among them, and cut down -men, women, and children, in a manner that was a disgrace to the very -name of Englishmen. These yeomen had their swords ground beforehand; -and I had a sword ground also: but I do not see any harm in that.</p> - -<p>“I shall suffer, no doubt; but I hope my children will live to see -justice done to their bleeding country. I would rather die like a man -than live like a slave. I am sorry I have not the power, gentlemen, to -say more; I shall, therefore, withdraw.”</p> - -<p class="space-above"><span class="smcap">John Thomas Brunt</span> was next called upon. He came forward -in a quick and rather hurried manner; and, in answer to the usual -interrogatory, addressed himself to the Court in a firm and confident -tone.</p> - -<p>He said, he “had intended to have written the observations which he -should make, but he had not had the benefit of ink and paper. He would -repeat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> what he had before stated to the Jury on his trial, which had -been so ably knocked down by the Solicitor-General, whose sophisticated -eloquence would make even crime a virtue. He then proceeded to -recapitulate the circumstances already stated by him in his defence. -He protested against the verdict; not that he valued his life. No man -valued it less when it was to be sacrificed in liberty’s cause.</p> - -<p>“Looking around him in this Court, and seeing the sword of justice -and the inscriptions which were placed on the walls above the Learned -Judges, he could only say, that he felt his blood boil in his veins -when he thought how justice was perverted, and her sacred name -prostituted to the basest and vilest purposes. He was a man of his -word, and not a shuttlecock, as some might suppose. If he pledged -himself once to destroy a tyrant, he would do it.</p> - -<p>“Edwards, that infamous villain, whom the Solicitor-General had not -dared to bring forward, had preyed on his credulity; and Adams had -betrayed him. Where was the benefit which would result to Christianity -from the able defence made of it by the Solicitor-General? What was -Christianity? Why, did its doctrines promulgate so horrid an idea, as -that supposing a man to have been a Deist, and all at once to have -been converted by seeing the halter staring him in the face, he would, -therefore, be strengthened by Almighty God to become a villain and a -perjured betrayer of his associates?</p> - -<p>“That this was the case with Adams was evident from his own confession. -Was this, then, Christianity? If it was, he prayed God he might die -without it; for very different, indeed, were the ideas he had formed of -religion.”</p> - -<p>The prisoner then proceeded to attack the character of the witness, -Hale, his apprentice; in which, however, he was interrupted by the -Lord<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> Chief Justice, who said, he would not allow persons and witnesses -not before the Court to be vilified.</p> - -<p><i>Brunt</i> proceeded—“He had antipathy against none but the enemies of -his country. He was a friend to the lower orders, and, as an honest -man, had a fellow-feeling for his countrymen, who were starving through -the conduct of Ministers. Lord Castlereagh and Lord Sidmouth had an -antipathy against the people; and if he did conspire to murder them, -was that high treason? He readily acknowledged that he had agreed to -assassinate Ministers; but he denied having ever conspired to dethrone -or injure the Monarch. But, if resisting the Civil Power, or opposing -wicked Ministers, was treason, then he confessed he was guilty. He was -no traitor to his country—he was no traitor to his King; but he was an -enemy to a boroughmongering faction, which equally enslaved both the -King and the people.</p> - -<p>“The happiness, the glory, and the safety of the King, depended on his -being free as well as his people; but this was not the case now. A -faction ruled both King and people with lawless sway. He had, by his -industry, been able to earn about three or four pounds a week; and, -while this was the case, he never meddled with politics: but, when he -found his income reduced to ten shillings a week, he began to look -about him, and to ask to what could that be owing? And what did he -find? Why, men in power, who met to deliberate how they might starve -and plunder the country. He looked on the Manchester transactions as -most dreadful, and thought that nothing was too severe for men, who had -not only caused, but even applauded, the dreadful scenes which occurred -there.</p> - -<p>“With pleasure would he die as a martyr in liberty’s cause for the good -of his country, and, to have been avenged on her tyrants would have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span> -given him pleasure to have died on the spot. He was not a traitor, nor -a friend of a traitor, and it was only a villain who could call him so. -While a nerve of his body could move, that nerve should and would be -exerted against the enemies of the people.</p> - -<p>“He had joined the conspiracy for the public good. He was not the man -who would have stopped. O, no; he would have gone through with it to -the very bottom, or else have perished in the attempt. Their death was -necessary for the public good. They might quarter his body—they might -inflict on him every species of torture; but they could not shake his -resolution, nor subdue his spirit. He would mount the scaffold with the -same firm intrepidity he now evinced, and, if his life was called for, -if his wife was to be made a widow and his child an orphan, in this -mighty cause he would cheerfully sacrifice it!”</p> - -<p>In the course of this daring address, the wretched man had worked -himself up to a degree of passion bordering on rage. A feeling of -horror was visible in the face of all within his hearing, whilst the -unhappy man was coldly explaining and justifying his murderous purposes.</p> - -<p class="space-above">The same question was put to each of the remaining prisoners, who -severally returned answers to the following effect:</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Richard Tidd</span> said, he had been convicted so late last night, -that he had no time to prepare a written address, as he could have -wished. He denied that the evidence against him was true, with the -exception of that of the gentleman he saw on the bench (Captain -Fitzclarence); and, as for shooting him, why he would as soon have -thought of shooting his own father.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">James Wilson</span> declared that he had been drawn into the plot by -one of the witnesses (Adams) who appeared against him. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Harrison</span>, on being called upon, said My Lord, they were -all false witnesses.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Richard Bradburn.</span>—The evidence of Adams was false.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">John Shaw Strange.</span>—I have only this much to say, my Lords, -that the evidence of Adams and Hale was false, and that they are -perjured villains.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">James Gilchrist</span> was much affected, and some time elapsed -before he could speak. He said—</p> - -<p>“My Lords, what I say, I shall say and think as in the presence of my -God. I knew nothing of the business until four o’clock on the day on -which it took place. I then had not tasted a morsel of food the whole -day. [Here the prisoner burst into tears.] I then went to a place -where a person appointed to meet me at six o’clock, where I saw four -or five men, not one of whom I knew, except Cooper; of him I borrowed -a halfpenny, to buy a bit of bread. I appeal to God who now hears me, -(casting up his eyes), and knows that this is true.</p> - -<p>“I went into the room at Cato-street, where I found a number of men -eating bread and cheese, which they cut with a sword. I cut some for -myself. Seeing so many men and arms, I was anxious to get away, but -Adams stopped me, and brandishing a sword, said, ‘If any man attempts -to go from here, I will run him through.’ An officer then came in, and -I surrendered without opposition.</p> - -<p>“This was all I knew of the business, and yet I stand here convicted of -high treason. I have served my King and country faithfully for twelve -years, and this is my recompense, this is my recompense, O God!” [Here -the prisoner again burst into tears, and could proceed no further.]</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Charles Cooper</span> said, My Lords, there is no evidence to convict -me of high treason. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Gilchrist</span> came again to the bar, and said, My Lords, I have -no objection to die; I would willingly resign my life to save that of -another. (It was not known to whom he alluded). He again retired from -the bar in tears as before, and continued so till the whole of the -prisoners were removed from Court.</p> - -<p class="space-above">Proclamation was now made by the Crier that the Judge was going to -proceed to pass sentence on the prisoners, and enjoining strict silence -in the Court.</p> - -<p>The Lord Chief-Justice <span class="smcap">Abbott</span>, having put on that solemn part -of the judicial insignia, the black velvet cap, proceeded to his awful -duty, and thus addressed the prisoners:—</p> - -<p>“You, Arthur Thistlewood, James Ings, John Thomas Brunt, William -Davidson, and Richard Tidd, have been severally tried and convicted of -High Treason, in Compassing and Levying War against his Majesty.</p> - -<p>“You, James Wilson, John Harrison, Richard Bradburn, John Shaw Strange, -James Gilchrist, and Charles Cooper, did originally plead <i>Not Guilty</i> -to the same indictment; but, after the trial and conviction of the -preceding prisoners, you desired to withdraw your plea, and plead -<i>Guilty</i>. You have cast yourselves on the mercy of your sovereign; and -if any of you have your lives spared, which I trust will be the case -with some of you, I hope you will bear in mind that you owe it to the -benignity and mercy of your sovereign, and to some of those public -officers whom you had devoted to a cruel and sudden death.”</p> - -<p>His Lordship then proceeded with his address. “Thistlewood,” he -observed, “had complained that the Court had refused to receive the -testimony of some witnesses, after the evidence had closed on both -sides. But he should recollect that his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> trial was conducted according -to the law, as it had been administered in this country for ages. The -witnesses whom he proposed to call were for the purpose of impugning -the testimony of a man of the name of Dwyer, and no other. His learned -counsel had previously called witnesses to the same effect. It could -not be allowed to him, according to the ordinary course of proceeding, -to do more. Indeed, even if he had been allowed so to do, it could have -been productive of no advantage, because his case did not depend upon -the evidence of that witness alone. This observation was confirmed by -the fact, that in subsequent cases, where the evidence of Dwyer was -altogether omitted, a similar verdict of guilty was returned.</p> - -<p>“Some of them had thought fit to say much of the character of a person -who had not appeared as a witness upon this occasion. The Court could -proceed only upon the evidence which was brought before it. Of the -person, therefore, to whom they alluded, or of the practices of which -he had been guilty, they could have no knowledge. Upon the testimony, -however, which had been adduced against them, there was abundantly -sufficient to induce a Jury of their country to come to a conclusion, -that the whole of them had taken an active part in the crimes imputed -in the indictment.</p> - -<p>“From all that had appeared in the course of these trials, as well -as from much of that which they had then heard, it was plain to see, -that they did not embark in their wicked designs until they had first -suffered their minds to be corrupted and inflamed by those seditious -and irreligious publications, with which, unhappily for this country, -the press had but too long teemed. He did not make these remarks to -aggravate their guilt, or to enhance the sufferings of persons in their -situation. He made them as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> a warning to all who might hear of their -unfortunate fate, that they might benefit by their example, and avoid -those dangerous instruments of sedition, by which their hearts and -minds were inflamed, and by which they were drawn from every feeling of -morality, from every sense of obligation towards their Creator, and of -justice towards society.</p> - -<p>“The treason of which they were charged, and found guilty, was that -of compassing and imagining to levy war against his majesty, for the -purpose of inducing him to change his measures and Ministers; the -first step towards effecting which was to have been the assassination -of Ministers themselves. They had endeavoured now to complain of the -testimony of those persons who had been examined as witnesses on the -part of the prosecution. Some of them were accomplices in their guilt.</p> - -<p>“It had here happened, as it had upon other occasions, that the -principal instruments in the hands of justice were partners in their -wickedness: he trusted that circumstance would have its due weight -and consideration with all those, who became acquainted with their -situation, and with the circumstances of their trial. He hoped that, -for the sake of their own personal safety, if they could not be -restrained by any other consideration, they would abstain from evil -communications and from evil connexions, such as had brought the -prisoners to the unhappy position in which they stood.</p> - -<p>“Some of them had avowed their intention to have taken away the lives, -and to have steeped their hands in the blood of fourteen persons, to -many of them unknown. It was without a precedent to see Englishmen -laying aside their national character, and contriving and agreeing on -the assassination, in cold blood, of fourteen individuals, who had -never offended any of them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span> This was a crime which hitherto was a -stranger to our country, and he trusted it would, after the melancholy -example of the prisoners, be unknown amongst us.</p> - -<p>“It now,” he said, “only remained for him to pass upon them the -awful sentence of the law; but before he did so, he exhorted them, -he implored them, to employ the time yet left to them in this life -in endeavouring, by prayer, to obtain mercy from that Almighty Power -before whom they would shortly appear. The mercy of heaven might be -obtained by all those who would unfeignedly, and with humility, express -contrition for their offences, and seek that mercy through the merits -of their blessed Redeemer.”</p> - -<p>This awful appeal, delivered by the judge in the most impressive -manner, was wholly lost on Thistlewood, who, with apparent careless -indifference, pulled out his snuff-box, some of the contents of which -he took, casting his eyes round the court, as if he were entering a -theatre. His indifference was the more conspicuous when contrasted -with the solemn manner in which the Lord Chief-Justice addressed the -prisoners.</p> - -<p>His Lordship continued.</p> - -<p>“Whether the prisoners would profit by the advice which he thus -sincerely gave them he could not say, but he once again begged that -they might not allow themselves to be led away by such feelings and -opinions as seemed hitherto to have influenced them.</p> - -<p>“He had now to pronounce upon them the sentence of the law, which was—</p> - -<p>“That you, and each of you, be taken from hence to the gaol from whence -you came, and from thence that you be drawn upon a hurdle to a place -of execution, and be there hanged by the neck until you be dead; and -that afterwards your heads shall be severed from your bodies, and your -bodies be divided into four quarters,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span> to be disposed of as his majesty -shall think fit. And may God of his infinite goodness have mercy upon -your souls!”</p> - -<p>The crier said aloud, “Amen!” in which he was joined by many in the -Court, who were deeply affected by his Lordship’s address.</p> - -<p class="space-above">The prisoners were then removed from the bar; some of them, -particularly Thistlewood, Brunt, and Davidson, appearing to be wholly -unconcerned at the awful sentence which had been passed upon them, and -the whole of them evincing great firmness and resignation.</p> - -<p>Tidd complained of the immense weight of his irons, when the Lord Chief -Justice, with that humanity and feeling which had characterized his -conduct throughout the whole of this arduous and painful business, -said he was sure the gaoler would grant the prisoner every indulgence -consistent with his safety.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span></p> - -<h2>PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION,</h2> - -<p class="bold">AND</p> - -<p class="bold2"><i>CONDUCT OF THE PRISONERS</i>.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>The public anxiety had been, as we have already stated, more than -usually excited during the trials of the conspirators, and much -curiosity was, of course, felt as what would be the final result, and -on what particular day the unhappy, deluded wretches, would suffer the -last dreadful sentence of the law. The public suspense was, however, -terminated on Saturday, the day after the passing sentence of death, -when his Majesty held a Privy Council, at which Newman Knowles, Esq., -the Common-Serjeant of London, (in the absence of the Recorder through -indisposition,) was admitted into the presence of the King, to make a -Report of the persons convicted of the crime of High Treason before -the Special Commissioners, in which the Learned Serjeant was assisted -by the Judges present, who tried the prisoners. The Council, at which -his Majesty was present, assembled at two o’clock, and continued in -deliberation till near four; and, after the Report had been received, -the Council proceeded to deliberate upon the fate of the prisoners, and -upon the period when it might be proper the execution should take place.</p> - -<p>It was at length determined, with a view to render the example more -imposing, and to mark the sense which was entertained of the atrocious -offence of which the wretched culprits were found guilty, to order them -for execution on the following Monday; and that <span class="smcap">Thistlewood</span>, -<span class="smcap">Brunt</span>,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span> <span class="smcap">Ings</span>, <span class="smcap">Davidson</span>, and <span class="smcap">Tidd</span>, -should be the sufferers. But that part of the sentence which directed -that their bodies should be quartered was remitted.</p> - -<p>The sentence of death on <span class="smcap">Harrison</span>, <span class="smcap">Wilson</span>, -<span class="smcap">Cooper</span>, <span class="smcap">Strange</span>, and <span class="smcap">Bradburn</span>, was commuted -to transportation for life, in conformity with the implied pledge which -they received when they agreed to plead <i>Guilty</i> to the indictments; -and <span class="smcap">Gilchrist</span> was respited, without mention of the commutation -of punishment.</p> - -<p class="space-above">Mr. Brown, the Governor of Newgate, received the warrant at seven -o’clock in the evening, and, accompanied by the Under-Sheriff, -immediately went to the condemned room, in which were sitting those who -were ordered for execution, attended by eight officers.</p> - -<p>When he entered, they rose in the most respectful manner. He held in -his hand the Recorder’s warrant, of the contents of which they appeared -conscious. A dead silence prevailed; but there was not the slightest -agitation observable in the countenances or manner of any one of the -prisoners.</p> - -<p>Mr. Brown addressed them in the following words:—“It is my painful -duty to communicate to you, that I hold the Recorder’s warrant for the -execution of you, Thistlewood, Ings, Brunt, Davidson, and Tidd, on -Monday morning. I hope and trust that the short time you have to remain -in this world will be employed by you in making preparation for that to -which you are going.”</p> - -<p>Thistlewood immediately, and in the calmest manner, said—“The sooner -we go, Sir, the better. Our wish is to die as soon as possible.” The -others expressed the same sentiments.</p> - -<p>Mr. Brown.—“If any of you wish to have the assistance of a clergyman -of any persuasion, during your preparation, let me know it, and I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> -shall apply to the authority by which I am convinced you will not be -refused.”</p> - -<p>Not a word was uttered by any one of the prisoners.</p> - -<p>Mr. Brown then said, “Let me entreat you with effect to give up your -thoughts to the contemplation of the change which you are about to -undergo. Your time in this life is very short; devote it to repentance, -and prayer to that Being who will not desert you at the moment of fatal -separation.”</p> - -<p>The prisoners did not speak, nor make any sign.</p> - -<p>Mr. Brown then left the room, and the miserable men turned to the -conversation in which they had been engaged before he entered, without -any reference to the tidings they had just heard.</p> - -<p>Upon going to the condemned room where the six conspirators who pleaded -guilty were confined, Mr. Brown observed a very striking contrast -to the scene which he had just quitted, as far as regarded Strange, -Bradburn, Cooper, and Gilchrist.</p> - -<p>He entered with the Recorder’s warrant in his hand, which contained -cheering intelligence to them. Strange, Bradburn, Cooper, and -Gilchrist, seemed struck with consternation; but Harrison and Wilson -shewed no symptoms of agitation, but appeared rather to despise than to -pity the deplorable condition of their companions, and uttered not a -word expressive of hope or fear.</p> - -<p>Mr. Brown then informed them, that mercy had been extended to them, and -that their lives were spared.</p> - -<p>Strange, Cooper, Bradburn, and Gilchrist, immediately fell on -their knees, and, after a pause, gave utterance to incoherent and -unintelligible expressions of gratitude. Harrison and Wilson still -remaining silent, and apparently unmoved.</p> - -<p>Mr. Brown said, “I have now to show you the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> dark side of the picture. -Your unfortunate miserable companions in crime who were tried, are -ordered for execution on Monday morning; and you, Harrison, Wilson, -Cooper, Strange, and Bradburn, are transported for life.”</p> - -<p>Wilson, who before had appeared perfectly callous, now exclaimed, “Ah! -our poor friends; I am indeed sorry for them.” Harrison said nothing; -the others were too much occupied with the joy of their own escape to -bestow a thought upon those who were to forfeit their lives.</p> - -<p>Mr. Brown said, “There is one of the most remarkable circumstances -attending your cases that ever took place upon any occasion; and, if -you have any feeling, it must make a deep and indelible impression upon -you. Those very persons against whose lives your hands were about to be -raised, are the men by whose intercession your lives have been saved.”</p> - -<p>After Mr. Brown had performed so much of his painful task, he proceeded -to another step, which excited in the breast of some of the prisoners -a strong feeling of irritation, namely, to place them in separate -condemned cells.</p> - -<p>They had entertained a hope that they would be permitted to spend the -last few hours of their life together, mutually to cheer each other -by their example, and to obtain those consolations which the society -of friends in so melancholy a situation must necessarily produce. Mr. -Brown, however, had received his instructions, and was bound to attend -to them, although he might himself have been anxious to grant them -every indulgence consistent with their safety.</p> - -<p>The five unhappy men, whose hours were now numbered, were each removed -to the place appointed, and were still accompanied by two of the under -turnkeys.</p> - -<p>The reason assigned for this arrangement, was the existence of a spirit -of hardihood among the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> unfortunate men, which, while they remained -together, seemed but to increase.</p> - -<p>In the early part of Saturday, they had been visited by the Reverend -Mr. Cotton (the Ordinary of Newgate), and exhorted by him to have -recourse to those prayers which had been so strongly and humanely -recommended by the Lord Chief Justice. They were, however, deaf to his -entreaties, and conjointly told him, that however much they respected -his motives, still that their minds were made up on religious subjects; -they were Deists, and therefore not inclined to join in that form of -appeal to Heaven, which, in the exercise of his sacred functions, he -thought it necessary to suggest. Mr. Cotton finding that his arguments -were productive of no good effect, left them with regret.</p> - -<p>He repeated his visits during the afternoon, but with as little -success, and then determined not to renew his solicitations for some -hours, which would allow time for quiet reflection, concluding that -while their minds were in a state of irritation, he was still less -likely to open their hearts to that contrite feeling, from which he -could alone hope to bring them to a true sense of their situation.</p> - -<p>On Sunday morning he re-commenced his pious labours, and on entering -their cells, repeated his former arguments; but they again repeated -their disbelief in the divinity of Christ, and refused through his -mediation to seek pardon of their offended Maker.</p> - -<p>Davidson alone listened with attention, and he at length begged Mr. -Cotton to procure him a Wesleyan minister. His wish was communicated -to Mr. Brown, who, in the course of the morning attended at Whitehall, -and reported the circumstance. The Wesleyan minister selected by -Davidson, was a person of the name of Rennett, who, it seems, had been -a journeyman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span> tailor, and had sometimes preached among the Wesleyans; -Davidson’s selection of him on this occasion, was founded on some -slight knowledge of him. As this man, however, was in a situation in -life not well adapted to reveal the holy tenets of salvation to a dying -man, it was thought prudent to decline introducing him to the prisoner.</p> - -<p>In the course of Sunday, a most decided change took place in Davidson’s -manner and conduct, and having been induced to abandon his wish -of receiving spiritual comfort from the Wesleyan minister, it was -suggested, that if he desired it, he should have a regular clergyman -of any persuasion he might think fit. On hearing this proposition -again repeated to him, the rays of Christianity, burst, as it were, -through his dungeon’s gloom, and he immediately requested the spiritual -consolation of the Reverend Mr. Cotton. That gentleman visited him -immediately, and continued to attend him, and to administer all the -consolation in his power to the wretched man, up to the last moment of -his life. The unhappy Davidson also begged to be favoured with pen, -ink, and paper, as he was anxious to write to Lord Harrowby, towards -whom he continued to express the warmest respect. This request was -granted, and he wrote a letter of some length, (see p. 410) which he -sealed, and which was afterwards given to Mr. Under-Sheriff Turner, to -be delivered.</p> - -<p>On Sunday afternoon, the heart-rending scene of introducing the -families of the wretched men to take a last farewell, was gone through.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood’s interview with his wife and son was truly affecting; and -the scenes exhibited in the other cells were of the most agonizing -description. The unfortunate children, capable of understanding the -situation of their unhappy parents, were convulsed with sorrow. The -strongest feelings of commiseration were excited in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span> minds of those -whose painful duty it was to be present.</p> - -<p>Brunt formed a solitary exception to this remark. His composure on -taking leave of his wife was of the most extraordinary description: he -expressed himself in the most unmoved manner, and declared that the day -of his execution would be to him the happiest of his life.</p> - -<p>The solemn service of the condemned sermon, usually preached in the -chapel at Newgate, to repentant criminals, who are about to expiate -their crimes with their blood, was on this occasion, reluctantly -dispensed with. The miserable malefactors had so decidedly pronounced -themselves Deists, and (with the exception of Davidson, and even he, -until Sunday, had fully concurred with them) had evinced in all parts -of their conduct so awful a disregard of the precepts of Christianity -and disbelief in its divine origin, as to excite an apprehension -that their blasphemous principles would manifest themselves in some -dreadful act of infidelity during divine service; it was therefore -thought more prudent to omit the ceremony altogether, than to subject -the administration of our holy religion to public insult by avowed and -hardened infidels; and this determination was perfectly agreeable to -the miserable beings themselves, who had boasted of being impenetrable -to repentance, and determined to end the brief remnant of their days -in the same horrid anti-christian principles which they had throughout -professed.</p> - -<p>In the course of Sunday, Alderman Wood called twice upon Mr. Brown, and -requested to be introduced to the prisoners. Mr. Brown said he would -willingly have complied with the worthy Alderman’s request, but his -instructions were, not to permit any person to have intercourse with -the unhappy men, save their families, unless under the sanction of an -order from the Privy Council. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mr. Alderman Wood then begged that he would carry to the prisoners -three written questions, and obtain the answers; but this also Mr. -Brown refused, upon the principle of the strict performance of his duty.</p> - -<p>During nearly the whole of Sunday night, the deluded malefactors, -who were attended by the city constables, slept soundly, and were -only awakened by the unbarring of their cell doors, to admit the -Reverend Ordinary. He found them in their separate cells, and went -to each, urging every pious argument to reclaim them to the paths of -Christianity.</p> - -<p>On Thistlewood, Tidd, Ings, and Brunt, however, his arguments were -unavailing; but on Davidson his endeavours were crowned with success, -and in the most fervent manner this unfortunate man joined in prayer -with Mr. Cotton for mercy at the hands of his Redeemer.</p> - -<p>The cells in which these delinquents were confined, though separated -by strong walls of stone, were not sufficiently detached to prevent -them from speaking to each other, and Ings, speaking, during the night, -of the approaching awful exhibition they were to make, remarked to -one of his companions, with savage disappointment, “that there would -be plenty of persons present; but d—n the ——, they had no pluck.” -Indeed, it seemed impossible to divert the mind of this wretched man -from the original object by which he had been actuated; he often -made declarations of the most terrific nature, and, amongst others, -“he wished that his body might be conveyed to the King, and that his -Majesty, or his cooks, might make turtle-soup of it!”</p> - -<p>At five o’clock on Monday morning, Mr. Cotton went again to the gaol, -and proceeded to the condemned cells with the hallowed elements of the -sacrament, which was administered to and received by Davidson with the -utmost devotion. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Reverend Gentleman offered the same means of redemption to the -other culprits, who, however, were immutable in their infidelity.</p> - -<p>Brunt partook of the wine offered to him, but only for the purpose of -drinking the King’s health, which he appeared to do cordially. Davidson -also drank the King’s health, and joined fervently in the prayer for -him and the Royal Family, which is in the established Church Service.</p> - -<p>At six o’clock breakfast was ordered for the wretched men, and all but -Davidson expressed a desire that they might be allowed to breakfast -together. It was known, however, that they wished to arrange and mature -what each should say upon the scaffold, and therefore Mr. Brown most -prudently refrained from complying with this request.</p> - -<p class="space-above">While these occurrences were taking place within the gaol, the -exhibition without was not destitute of interest; and the arrangements -making among the persons whose official duties connected them with the -final execution of the law, were of the highest importance.</p> - -<p>The Sunday papers had announced the period fixed for the execution, -and as this was accompanied by a speculation that a scaffold was to be -erected on the top of the prison, upon which the ignominious sentence -was to be performed, thousands of persons flocked towards the Old -Bailey, and continued to do so during the day, assembling in groups for -information, and not unfrequently indulging in language disgraceful to -themselves, and alarming to those who felt anxious for the peace of the -metropolis. Among these persons were many who had long been known as -the constant attendants at those factious meetings, the repetitions of -which have been productive of so much mischief.</p> - -<p>On Saturday evening, Mr. Sheriff Rothwell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span> and Mr. Under-Sheriff -Turner, had waited on Lord Sidmouth to arrange the mode in which the -execution should take place. The plan at first proposed of erecting a -scaffold on the top of the prison at the end near Newgate-street, was -then considered and abandoned, Lord Sidmouth being of opinion that -there was no necessity for departing from the form customary on like -occasions; and, on the suggestion of Sheriff Rothwell, it was further -resolved to dispense with that part of the sentence which directed that -the culprits should be drawn on a hurdle to the place of execution, in -consideration of the great inconvenience that might arise in conveying -them along the streets in the manner which had been adopted on former -occasions, namely, from the court-yard in front of the Sessions-house -to the scaffold.</p> - -<p>On the return of Mr. Sheriff Rothwell and Mr. Under-Sheriff Turner, -from the office of the Secretary of State, with their final -instructions, they directed Mr. Montague, one of the surveyors of -public buildings in the city, to make the necessary arrangements -for resisting the pressure of the crowd which was anticipated, and -for enlarging the ordinary scaffold to such a size as would admit -of the performance of the more awful part of the ceremony—that of -decapitating the criminals.</p> - -<p>To effect these works, a great number of men were suddenly called into -requisition, and during the whole of Sunday they were actively engaged.</p> - -<p>The addition to the scaffold was made in the Court-yard in front of the -Sessions-house, and the loud strokes of the carpenters’ hammers soon -attracted the attention of the passengers, hundreds of whom mounted -upon the wall to view what was going forward. The confusion created at -this spot induced Mr. Montague to send to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span> Lord Mayor for the aid -of some constables, and in a short time the City Marshal, arrived at -the head of several officers. The crowd was immediately removed from -the wall, and order was restored.</p> - -<p>Curiosity was next directed to the workmen at the ends of the various -avenues leading to the Old Bailey, across which strong posts and rails -were erected in such a manner as to prevent the distant crowd from -throwing the whole of their weight on those in front, and thereby -preventing that confusion and danger which otherwise would have been -incurred, and which was productive of such melancholy consequences at -the execution of Holloway and Haggerty, for the murder of Mr. Steel<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2">[2]</a>.</p> - -<p>There were double rows of rails across the top of the Old Bailey, -across Newgate-street, Giltspur-street, Skinner-street, Fleet-lane, and -in fact at the mouth of every approach to the prison.</p> - -<p>In the course of Sunday morning Mr. Sheriff Rothwell and Mr. -Under-Sheriff Turner held a consultation with the Lord Mayor, as to -the necessity of applying to the Secretary of State for the Home -Department, to direct the attendance of a military force, not alone in -the prison, but in its immediate vicinity.</p> - -<p>The result of their deliberations was, that such an application was -highly proper; and accordingly Mr. Turner was despatched to Whitehall, -with a letter to Lord Sidmouth, intimating the wish of the Lord Mayor. -In consequence of this application, in the course of the afternoon -one hundred men were ordered to proceed to the gaol of Newgate, and a -detachment of fifty was quartered in Giltspur-street Compter.</p> - -<p>Other detachments were on duty at a short distance from the prison. In -fact, every possible precaution was adopted to prevent disturbance or -disorder. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span></p> - -<p>As the evening advanced, the throng in front of the prison increased, -and at eight o’clock the pressure was so great, that it required the -utmost exertions of the constables on duty to prevent the interruption -of the workmen. Thousands of all ranks and ages congregated in front of -the gaol.</p> - -<p>The scaffold had been brought forth from the Court-yard, and the -carpenters were busily employed in erecting the additional platform, -which was ten feet square, and constructed with great solidity. They -continued their operations by torch-light, which seemed as it were but -to make “darkness visible,” and considerably enhanced the solemnity of -the scene.</p> - -<p>Such was the anxiety of some to witness the execution, that they -literally determined to remain in the neighbourhood all night, and -thousands sacrificed their natural rest to the gratification of their -curiosity.</p> - -<p>The windows of the houses in the Old Bailey and the streets adjacent, -commanding a view of the scaffold were let out at exorbitant prices. -The sums demanded for a view from the windows were from ten shillings -to two guineas, but even at these prices there was a superabundance of -applicants.</p> - -<p>Very early on Monday morning, the bar, which had previously been -bounded but by one rank of spectators, was enclosed by a second, and -the assembling populace soon began to assume the appearance of a crowd. -They stood in immense masses by the time the clock struck five.</p> - -<p>An idea partially prevailed, that the area immediately without the rail -which encompassed the scaffold, where on ordinary occasions spectators -are allowed to stand, would be cleared out when the constables arrived, -and this induced many to take their stations beyond the first barrier. -This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> apprehension turned out to be well-founded; and, at a quarter -past five, those who had been for hours clinging to the inner rail -were obliged reluctantly to abandon the situations in which they had -proposed to witness the execution. No exceptions were made; and none -but officers, and those engaged to assist in the preparations, were -suffered to remain. Compelled to retire from the immediate vicinity of -the scaffold, they attempted to take up a position beyond the first -rail, but they were again disappointed, and the officers still pressed -on them till they had retreated beyond the second bar, which was placed -at the very extremity of the Old Bailey, on a line with Newgate-street.</p> - -<p>The lamp-iron which is fixed in the wall of the prison between the -corner of the street and the Debtor’s door had been climbed by three -persons, and that at the corner was taken possession of in the same -way. Both were now relieved from the load which they had sustained -for hours. The pump, and the lamps above it, were crowded to an -extraordinary degree. The situation appeared one of danger, but those -who had taken the trouble to ascend it were suffered to remain.</p> - -<p>When the crowd had passed the second bar (that which crossed the -road from the end of Newgate-street), it was immediately lined with -constables. In the opposite direction, a similar course was taken, and -a bar erected a little below the Felons’ door precluded on that side -any closer approach.</p> - -<p>An extensive area was thus taken from the ground which the populace -on ordinary occasions are suffered to occupy. The precautions adopted -on this occasion greatly surpassed those resorted to on that of -Bellingham’s execution; but placards like those then addressed to the -populace, warning them of the danger of pressing forward too eagerly, -from the more efficient measures taken to guard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> against the pressure -of the crowd, were thought unnecessary.</p> - -<p>Between five and six o’clock a great quantity of sawdust was brought -out and deposited beneath the scaffold on which the decollations were -to be performed. It was shortly afterwards transferred to the top of -it, and at the same time black cloth was brought, and the scaffold -erected in the rear of the drop was completely covered with it. The -posts which sustained the chains above it received the same sable -attire; and while these preparations were in progress, every avenue -leading into the Old Bailey was carefully secured by strong wooden -rails fixed across, and guarded by constables.</p> - -<p>At twenty minutes before six, a party of the Foot Guards (sixty-one -in number) came out of the prison by the felons’-door; they passed -down Brown’s-yard, opposite Newgate, where they were ordered to remain -till their services should be required. At the same time, a detachment -moved down Newgate-street towards the City, to secure the peace of the -metropolis, should it be in any manner threatened.</p> - -<p>Before six o’clock, the City-Marshals arrived; and Mr. Sheriff Rothwell -made his appearance at the same moment. He was not accompanied by his -colleague, the Junior Sheriff. He carefully inspected the preparations -for the awful business of the morning. The crowd, before repressed -beyond the felons’-door, were about this time compelled to move still -lower down towards Ludgate-hill.</p> - -<p>Mr. Alderman Wood also arrived on the spot very early in the morning; -and, on first going into Mr. Brown’s office, expressed considerable -indignation at his not being suffered to commune with the convicts when -he called at Newgate on Sunday; stating that the gaol was no longer -under the direction of the city, but under that of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> Lord Sidmouth, -orders having been issued from the Secretary of State’s office, to -suffer no one to see these convicts, unless by a properly authenticated -order.</p> - -<p>At six o’clock the constables assembled in immense numbers, and the -firemen from the different insurance-offices were among them.</p> - -<p>Shortly after six, the City-Marshal called over the names of the -officers in attendance from the different City wards. This done, they -were formed into several parties, and its proper station was assigned -to each.</p> - -<p>At this time the Lord-Mayor attended, and, accompanied by the -City-Marshal superintended the whole of the arrangements.</p> - -<p>During the time occupied by the preparations above described, -the conduct of the countless thousands assembled on this awfully -interesting occasion was peaceable in the extreme. Curiosity seemed -powerfully excited; but no political feeling was manifested by any part -of the crowd, and they awaited the termination of the dreadful scene in -silence. Sometimes a low murmur ran through the expecting multitude, -as some new object connected with the proceedings was pressed on their -attention; but it was a murmur of surprise or of interest, which never -took the tone of clamorous disapprobation.</p> - -<p>For a rescue—if it was ever contemplated—all hopes of accomplishing -it must have been annihilated by the precautions we have enumerated. -The powerful force assembled on the spot must have convinced the most -frantic Radicals that all resistance was vain, and escape on failure -impossible.</p> - -<p>It was generally reported that the execution would take place an hour -before the usual time of execution. At a quarter before seven, the -persons accommodated at the top of the prison were observed to retire -from the front of the building.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span> This, in consequence of the rumour -just alluded to, caused it to be generally surmised that the prisoners -were about to be led out immediately. The rumour, however, proved to be -unfounded.</p> - -<p>At seven o’clock, the crowd which was collected about the prison, in -every avenue leading to it, or commanding the most distant glimpse -of its walls, was beyond all calculation; but still there was not -the least appearance of disorder. In fact, such were the formidable -preparations to preserve the peace, that no possible alarm could exist. -In the event of a riot, however, the Lord Mayor was prepared with large -boards on poles, ready to be used, should it become necessary to read -the Riot Act. They were brought within the rail which enclosed the -gallows; and bills were immediately nailed to them, containing, in -large characters, the following words:</p> - -<p class="center">THE RIOT-ACT HAS BEEN READ.<br /> -DISPERSE IMMEDIATELY.</p> - -<p>These were then laid down on each side of the debtors-door. Of course -they were not exhibited to the populace, being only prepared to be used -in case of necessity, that, if unhappily it should become the duty of -the civil authorities to have recourse to so strong a measure, it might -be impossible for the multitude to be ignorant of the peril to which -they would be exposed by neglecting to yield prompt obedience to the -mandate.</p> - -<p>A party of the Life Guards was stationed towards the lower end of -the Old-Bailey, and a small detachment appeared at the end next St. -Sepulchre’s Church. On a sudden a loud noise attracted the attention -of every one; this was caused by the awkward situation in which a -person had placed himself, who, having got within the second bar, had -clambered up against one of the houses, where the constables, who felt -it their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> duty to remove him, could not get at him. He was at length -pulled down by the heels, amidst the boisterous laughter of the crowd, -who in this manifested all the thoughtless levity of a common mob—a -levity not unlike that described by the unfortunate Hackman to have -preceded the execution of Dr. Dodd<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3">[3]</a>.</p> - -<p>Several persons of distinction—among others some military officers of -rank—arrived in the course of the morning, and Mr. Brown, the gaoler, -afforded them accommodation in his house. They took their places at the -drawing-room windows, and were thus enabled to command an excellent -view of the whole melancholy scene.</p> - -<p>Shortly after seven o’clock, the executioner made his appearance on -the drop, and placed the steps by which he was to ascend to tie the -sufferers to the fatal beam. The saw-dust, which had been previously -collected in two small heaps on the second scaffold, was now spread -over the boards.</p> - -<p>The coffins were then brought out, and placed on the saw-dust, the foot -of each being put so as nearly to touch the platform, from which those -who were to fill them were to be launched into eternity. They had no -lids on them. The coffin of Thistlewood was first lifted out. The third -coffin brought out appeared longer than the others, and was supposed to -be intended for Davidson, who was the tallest man; but this conjecture -proved erroneous.</p> - -<p>The persons employed to bring the coffins swept out the large one, -and then proceeded to throw saw-dust into them, that the blood of the -sufferers might not find its way through.</p> - -<p>The block was now brought up, and placed at the head of the first -coffin. Most of the spectators were surprised at the shape of the -block, as,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> instead of presenting a flat surface, it was slanted off, -so that the top of it was quite sharp.</p> - -<p>The awful moment was now rapidly approaching when the ill-fated men -were to be removed to another world. Each of them conversed freely with -the officers who had them in charge, and severally declared that moment -to be the happiest of their lives.</p> - -<p>Davidson alone continued to pray fervently to the moment of his -removal; but the others seemed perfectly unmoved by their approaching -fate.</p> - -<p>The six prisoners who had received the royal clemency, had been -previously removed to another part of the prison, under the care and -superintendence of a turnkey.</p> - -<p>The four before-mentioned, <i>viz.</i> Strange, Cooper, Bradburn, and -Gilchrist, continued to express themselves in the most grateful and -enthusiastic terms, that their lives had been saved through the kind -and benevolent interposition of those illustrious personages whose -lives were intended to fall sacrifices to their diabolical project; but -Wilson and Harrison persisted in the most obstinate indifference to the -mercy which had been so graciously extended towards them. During the -night and morning, they became excessively uneasy; and, while they wept -for the ignominious fate of their companions, they expressed a wish -that they might have been participators in its consequences, horrible -as they were.</p> - -<p>About half-past seven o’clock, the Sheriffs, Under-Sheriffs, several -young noblemen, and a number of gentlemen, walked in the procession (as -is usual) through the various passages in Newgate, till they arrived at -the door of the condemned cells, which comes into the press-yard. The -unhappy criminals, since receiving sentence of death, had been confined -in the lower ward of the prison assigned to capital convicts.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood came out of the condemned cell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> first; he bowed to the -Sheriffs and gentlemen present; he looked very pale, he cast up his -eyes, and said, “It appears fine.” He displayed uncommon firmness, -and held out his hands for the assistant executioner to tie them. He -observed to the persons near him, that he never felt in better spirits -in the course of his life. He was attired in the same apparel that he -wore during his trial. The composure he exhibited was striking; but -there was nothing like bravado or carelessness. He now advanced to the -block to have his irons knocked off; and, while the turnkey was in the -act,</p> - -<p>Mr. Alderman Wood advanced to Thistlewood, and said, “Thistlewood, I -wish you to give me an answer to two or three questions.”</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Sheriff Rothwell</i>—“Mr. Alderman, I must interfere. I am sure you -have had quite experience enough of magisterial duties to know, that -on a solemn occasion of this kind, you ought not to interfere with a -prisoner on the point of death.”</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Alderman Wood</i>—“You prevented me, Mr. Sheriff, from entering -Newgate yesterday, to obtain the information I am now about to seek. -You have no authority to prevent me from now having it, as the gaol is -this day under the superintendence of Lord Sidmouth; and I must persist -in obtaining answers to my questions, if the prisoner chooses to give -them.”</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Sheriff Rothwell</i>—“I cannot suffer you to disturb the quiet of -this unhappy man’s mind at this awful moment, Mr. Alderman. I must, by -virtue of my office, interfere, and prevent you from doing any thing -which can have a tendency to distract the mind of a man in his awful -situation—one who is indeed dead in law.”</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Sheriff Parkins</i>—“I must insist on the Worthy Alderman’s being -permitted to put any question he pleases, unless the prisoner objects.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span> -I now authorise Alderman Wood to put whatever questions he wishes.”</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Sheriff Rothwell</i>—“Well, I must again object. I think it highly -improper.”</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Alderman Wood</i>—“I have the questions here written down, and I’ll -put them to you. Thistlewood, when did you first become acquainted with -Edwards?”</p> - -<p><i>Thistlewood</i>—“About June last.”</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Alderman Wood</i>—“Where did you become acquainted with Edwards?”</p> - -<p><i>Thistlewood</i>—“At Preston’s.”</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Alderman Wood</i>, who did not appear to have heard the final letter, -said, “At Preston, in Lancashire?”</p> - -<p><i>Thistlewood</i>—“No: at Preston’s, the shoemaker.”</p> - -<p><i>Mr. Alderman Wood</i>—“Did he ever give you any money?”</p> - -<p><i>Thistlewood</i>—“Yes, I had a little from him, a pound-note at a time.”</p> - -<p>The Worthy Alderman wrote down the answers he had received to his -questions.</p> - -<p>Mr. Sheriff Rothwell appeared extremely angry at the course taken -by the Worthy Alderman, while his colleague, Mr. Sheriff Parkins, -expressed his warm approbation of it.</p> - -<p>Tidd next made his appearance; he came out of the cell into the -Press-yard with an air of assumed gaiety. He smiled during the time -he was being pinioned, and continued quite cheerful during the time -his irons were knocking off. The moment his legs were free from their -burden, he ran towards Thistlewood, who had taken a seat on a bench -(placed in the yard for the purpose), and said, “Well, Mr. Thistlewood, -how do you do,” and they shook hands most heartily. Thistlewood said, -“He was never better.” Tidd conversed in the most gay and cheerful -manner<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span> with the turnkey, while he was driving the rivets out of his -irons, and composedly assisted the man in taking them off.</p> - -<p>Ings then came out of the cell, and danced as he came down the steps -along the yard. He was dressed in his usual clothes as a butcher, a -rough pepper-and-salt coloured worsted jacket, and a dirty cap. During -the time his hands were being tied he became thoughtful, afterwards -he seemed hurried and in great mental pain; but before his irons were -knocked off he began to laugh and shout, and afterwards took a seat by -the side of his fellow-sufferers.</p> - -<p>Brunt was then brought into the Press-yard; he was perfectly composed, -but looked round eagerly to see his wretched companions. He nodded to -them, and then held out his hands to have them tied. He said nothing -during the time he was being pinioned and having his irons taken off; -but afterwards he addressed Thistlewood, Tidd, and Ings; he told them -to keep up their spirits, and to one of his companions he said, “All -will soon be well.”</p> - -<p>Davidson was then brought out of his cell; he seemed a little affected -at the sight of his companions, but soon regained that composure which -he evinced during the trials. His lips moved; but he did not betray -much anxiety till his irons were knocked off. He then looked wildly at -the Rev. Mr. Cotton, and appeared to be in prayer, very devoutly; the -others declared they were about to die in peace with all mankind, but -that they had all made up their minds on religious matters, and were -determined to die Deists.</p> - -<p>Davidson took the sacrament in the morning at six o’clock, from Mr. -Cotton, and prayed most fervently. He also joined the Rev. Gentleman in -a prayer for the prosperity of his Majesty King George IV., though he -avowed he had not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> the same feeling for his ministers. A glass of wine -was offered to Thistlewood, who politely refused. Tidd and Brunt took a -glass each.</p> - -<p>The irons of the culprits were then knocked off in succession. -Thistlewood requested Mr. Cotton to speak to him, but for no other -motive than to request he would observe his conduct had been manly, and -to state that he was perfectly happy, and died in peace with God.</p> - -<p>Even to the last moment, the attentions of the Reverend Ordinary -to the four men whom we have pointed out were unavailing: to every -remonstrance he offered, the only answer was, they wanted no assistance -of his, their minds were perfectly made up on religious subjects, and -they believed they should receive mercy at the hands of God.</p> - -<p>When the awful ceremony of pinioning the culprits by the yeoman of -the halter was concluded, they each shook hands, and most fervently -exclaimed, “God bless you.” The Reverend Mr. Cotton then began to read -the burial service, commencing at the words “I am the resurrection and -the life,” <i>&c.</i>, and, the arrangements being completed, the procession -advanced through the dark passages of the gaol, led by the Sheriffs and -Under-Sheriffs. The Reverend Mr. Cotton moved first.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood followed, with his eyes fixed, as it were, in abstract -thought, and apparently lost to his situation. A vacant and unmeaning -stare pervaded his countenance, which seemed unmoved by the devotions -of the pious Ordinary.</p> - -<p>Tidd walked next, and although somewhat affected by his situation, his -manner was collected, manly, and unaffectedly firm.</p> - -<p>Ings came next, and was laughing without reserve, and used every forced -effort to subdue the better feelings of nature, which might remind him -of his awful situation; his conduct was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> more like a delirium of fear -than an effect of courage.</p> - -<p>Brunt, in fixed and hardened obduracy of mind, next advanced, and with -a sullen and morose air of indifference surveyed the officers who were -conducting him to his fate.</p> - -<p>The unhappy Davidson came last, with clasped hands and uplifted eyes, -praying most devoutly; and the officers of the gaol closed the mournful -procession.</p> - -<p>On their arrival at the Lodge, from which the Debtors’-door leads -to the scaffold, a moment’s pause took place, while the dreadful -paraphernalia of death were adjusted without. Thistlewood, who stood -first, clasped his lips, and with a frown surveyed, from the door-way -in which he stood, the awful preparations for his fate.</p> - -<p>The Under-Sheriff, at this period stepped into the road from the -Governor’s house, to ascertain how far the preparations had proceeded. -Every thing seemed to be completely arranged. A party of the -Horse-Guards seemed about to pass the barrier beyond which they had -previously been stationed, but they did not persevere, in consequence -of the difficulty of penetrating the crowd.</p> - -<p>The persons who had previously retired from the front of the prison -now (at twenty minutes before eight) returned to their old places on -the top of it. This, with other circumstances just particularized, -announced that the culprits were about to be conducted to the scaffold.</p> - -<p>The re-appearance of the executioner, and the solemn sound of the bell, -removed all doubt on the subject. Every one felt that the awful moment -was at hand; and the assembled thousands stood uncovered in silent, -breathless, expectation.</p> - -<p>Those opposite the prison saw in the next moment the procession from -the interior of it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> reach the door through which the culprits were to -pass to expiate their crimes with their blood.</p> - -<p>The Ordinary ascended the platform, and at a quarter before eight -Thistlewood made his appearance on the scaffold. His step faultered a -little as he mounted the platform, and his countenance was somewhat -flushed and disordered on being conducted to the extremity of the drop. -His deportment was firm, and he looked round at the multitude with -perfect calmness. He had an orange in his hand. On the cap being placed -on his head, he desired that it might not be put over his eyes. While -the executioner was putting the rope round his neck, a person from the -top of the houses exclaimed, “Good Almighty bless you.” Thistlewood -nodded. The Reverend Mr. Cotton, by whom he was preceded, endeavoured -to obtain his attention; but he shook his head, and said, “No, no.” -He looked round repeatedly, as expecting to recognise some one in the -crowd, and appeared rather disconcerted at observing the distance to -which the populace were removed.</p> - -<p>Some of those to whom the face of Thistlewood was not familiar, -imagined that he gave proofs of the fear of death upon the scaffold, -but in this supposition they were much mistaken. At the moment that he -has been heard uttering his dangerous politics in safety, and declaring -his determination to stand or fall by them, the expression of his -features was the same; and Thistlewood with the rope round his neck was -the same Thistlewood that appeared so conspicuous at Smithfield.</p> - -<p>Mr. Cotton approached him while the executioner was making his awful -arrangements, and spoke to him upon the subject of his thoughts of -hereafter. Thistlewood shook his head, and said he required no earthly -help upon that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> subject. He then sucked his orange, and, looking down -at the officers who were collected about the scaffold, said, in a firm -voice, “I have but a few moments to live, and I hope the world will be -convinced that I have been sincere in my endeavours, and that I die a -friend to liberty.”</p> - -<p>The figure of the miserable man, which naturally was not good, had -undergone a change for the worse: in consequence of the pressure of -the rope with which his arms were fastened behind, his shoulders were -raised to a degree that closely approached deformity. The executioner -having placed the cap upon his head, and fastened the rope round the -beam, looked towards the Sheriff as a signal that his duties towards -Thistlewood were completed.</p> - -<p>While the executioner was performing his last offices without to this -wretched man, the scene within the Lodge was almost beyond the power of -description. The dreadful obduracy of Brunt and Ings filled with horror -the small assemblage of persons among whom they stood.</p> - -<p>Ings, with a hardihood almost indescribable, sucked an orange, with -which Sheriff Parkins had provided him, as well as all the other -prisoners, and sung, or rather screamed, in a discordant voice, “Oh! -give me death or liberty!” Brunt rejoined, “Aye, to be sure. It is -better to die free, than to live slaves!”</p> - -<p>A gentleman in the Lodge admonished them to consider their approaching -fate, and to recollect the existence of a Deity, into whose supreme -presence a few minutes would usher them.</p> - -<p>Brunt exclaimed, “I know there is a God!” and Ings added, “Yes, to be -sure; and I hope he will be more merciful to us than they are here.”</p> - -<p>Tidd, who had stood in silence, was now summoned to the scaffold. He -shook hands with all but Davidson, who had separated himself from the -rest. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span></p> - -<p>Ings again seized Tidd’s hand at the moment he was going out, and -exclaimed, with a burst of laughter, “Give us your hand! Good-bye!”</p> - -<p>A tear stood in Tidd’s eye, and his lips involuntarily muttered, “My -wife and——!”</p> - -<p>Ings proceeded—“Come my old cock-o’-wax, keep up your spirits; it all -will be over soon.”</p> - -<p>Tidd immediately squeezed his hand, and ran towards the stairs leading -to the scaffold. In his hurry, his foot caught the bottom step, and he -stumbled. He recovered himself, however, in an instant, and rushed upon -the scaffold, where he was immediately received with three cheers from -the crowd, in which he made a slight effort to join.</p> - -<p>The applause was evidently occasioned by the bold and fearless manner -in which the wretched man advanced to his station. He turned to the -crowd who were upon Snow-hill, and bowed to them. He then looked down -upon the coffins and smiled, and turning round to the people who were -collected in the Old-Bailey towards Ludgate-hill, bowed to them. -Several voices were again heard, and some in the crowd expressed their -admiration of Tidd’s conduct.</p> - -<p>The rope having been put round his neck, he told the executioner that -the knot would be better on the right than on the left side, and that -the pain of dying might be diminished by the change. He then assisted -the executioner, and turned round his head several times for the -purpose of fitting the rope to his neck. He afterwards familiarly -nodded to some one whom he recognised at a window, with an air of -cheerfulness. He also desired that the cap might not be put over his -eyes, but said nothing more. He likewise had an orange in his hand, -which he continued to suck most heartily. He soon became perfectly -calm, and remained so till the last moment of his life.</p> - -<p>In the interim, Davidson, who had not yet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> come out, leaned with -his back against a dresser in the lodge, and continued with his -hands clasped, praying in the most fervent manner, and calling with -unfeigned and unreserved piety for the intervention of the Redeemer. -Brunt and Ings, however, persevered in the same hardihood that they -had manifested throughout, and continued venting their thoughts in -unreserved ejaculations.</p> - -<p>A humane individual who stood by remonstrated with Brunt again, and -besought him to ask pardon of God.</p> - -<p>Brunt, with a fierce and savage air, surveyed his adviser -contemptuously, and exclaimed, “What have I done? I have done nothing! -What should I ask pardon for?” The stranger rejoined, “So you say, -Brunt; but if you have ever injured any man, or done any thing which -your conscience tells you is wrong, ask pardon of God, penitently -and sincerely, and you will, I have no doubt, obtain mercy.”—Brunt -replied, “I die with a perfectly clear conscience. I have made my peace -with God, and I never injured no man.” The stranger proceeded, “Believe -in the Lord Jesus Christ!” Brunt surveyed his humane adviser again, and -muttered, “My mind is made up.”</p> - -<p>“Well done, Brunt!” exclaimed Ings, and was again proceeding to sing,</p> - -<p class="center">“Oh give me death or liberty,”</p> - -<p>when he was summoned to the scaffold. He turned to Brunt, and, with a -smile on his countenance, shook hands with him, and prepared to go. -While the hatch was opening, he exclaimed, with a loud voice, “Remember -me to King George the IVth; God bless him, and may he have a long -reign.” He now recollected that he had some clothes left behind, which -he requested might be given to his wife. The wretched man had thrown -off the clothes in which he had been tried, and had put on an old -butcher’s jacket, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span>determining, as he said, “that Jack Ketch should -have no coat of his.”</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i378.jpg" alt="James Ings Thomas Brunt" /></div> - -<p>While he stood on the edge of the steps, at the door of the gaol, he -said to Davis, one of the turnkeys, “Well, Mr. Davis, I am going to -find out this great secret,” and then springing upon the scaffold, -exclaimed, “Good-bye! Gentlemen. Here goes the remains of an -unfortunate man.”</p> - -<p>He rushed to the platform, upon which he leaped and bounded in the most -frantic manner. Then turning himself round towards Smithfield, and -facing the very coffin that was soon to receive his mutilated body, -he raised his pinioned hands, in the best way he could, and leaning -forward with savage energy, roared out three distinct cheers to the -people, in a voice of the most frightful and discordant hoarseness. -But these unnatural yells of desperation, which were evidently nothing -but the ravings of a disordered mind, or the ebullitions of an assumed -courage, struck the majority of the vast multitude who heard them with -horror.</p> - -<p>Turning his face towards Ludgate-hill, he bowed, and cried out, “This -is going to be the last remains of James Ings,” and shouted out part -of the song in which the words <i>Death or Liberty</i> are introduced. He -laughed upon looking at the coffins, and said, turning his back to -them, “I’ll turn my back upon death!—Is this the gallows they always -use? Those coffins are for us, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>Tidd, who stood next to him, and had the moment before been in -conversation with Thistlewood, turned about, and said, “Don’t, Ings. -There is no use in all this noise. We can die without making a noise.” -Ings was silent for a few moments; but as the executioner approached -him with the rope, he called out, “Do it well—pull it tight!”</p> - -<p>When the executioner threw the rope round the beam, he said, “Give me a -better fall; the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span> others won’t have fall enough.” When the man put him -on the cap, Ings said, “I have got a cap of my own; put it over this -night-cap, and I’ll thank you.” The executioner proceeded to do so; but -Ings said, “It will do when we are going off: let me see as long as I -can.” He then pushed the cap from his eyes. The others had raised the -caps from their eyes. “Here I go, James Ings!” said he, “and let it be -known that I die an enemy to all tyrants. Ah ha! I see a good many of -my friends are on the houses.”</p> - -<p>Again Tidd turned round to Ings, and, as it appeared, at the suggestion -of Thistlewood, requested that he would not continue the noise. Ings -laughed and remained silent for a few minutes.</p> - -<p>Mr. Cotton approached Tidd and Ings, but they turned away from him. -Ings smiled at his interference, but Tidd turned round to Thistlewood -and spoke a few words, in which he seemed to complain of the -inclination of the Ordinary to break in upon their last moments.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood now said to Tidd, “We shall soon know the last grand -secret.”</p> - -<p>Brunt, who, after the departure of Ings, stood by himself within -the porch of the prison, having no companion of his own principles -to encourage him, (as Davidson stood far away from him,) muttered -something about the injustice of his fate. The persons around him -repeatedly entreated him to alter his religious creed, during the -last few moments left, and to believe in the Saviour of the world. -Still immutable—still hardened in iniquity—he listened not to -the remonstrances of sincere friends, who besought him, for his -wife’s sake, and for the sake of his son, to ask the protection -of the Redeemer for them; but he appeared tired of these friendly -importunities, and wished to ascend the scaffold next.</p> - -<p>Davidson, however, was summoned before him, and with a composed -countenance and a firm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span> step he passed by his former companion in guilt -to his fate, without noticing him.</p> - -<p>Brunt now appeared considerably irritated. “What,” he exclaimed, “am I -to be the last? Why is this? They can have my blood but once, and why -am I to be kept to the last? But I suppose they are afraid I should say -something to the people, because I spoke my mind on the trial. However, -I don’t care.”</p> - -<p>Davidson walked up the platform with a firm and steady step, but with -all that respectful humility becoming the condition to which he had -reduced himself. He bowed to the crowd, and instantly joined Mr. Cotton -in prayer. He seemed inattentive to every thing but the journey he was -about to take, and his lips moved in prayer until he was no longer -able to speak. He made no request to have his eyes uncovered, but was -evidently preparing himself for bidding an eternal adieu to a world of -which he had ceased to be an inhabitant.</p> - -<p>Brunt was the last summoned to the fatal platform, and he rushed -upon it with impetuosity. Some of the people cheered him, which -evidently gratified and pleased him. It brought a sort of grin on his -countenance, which remained till his death. But his aspect “belied -his utterance.” Externally he appeared to have shrunk more from his -fate than any one of his wretched companions; his cheeks had sunk -extremely, giving a degree of ghostly prominence to a forehead, -cheek-bones, and chin, naturally very much protruded, and his colour -was of a livid paleness; but the eyes of the man sent forth from their -deep recesses glances of distressing keenness; his lips were firmly -compressed together; not a tear trickled down his cheeks; there was no -quaking of the members. To use an expressive phrase of his speech on -receiving sentence, “he went through with the business.” “What,” said -he, “soldiers!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> What do they do here? I see nothing but a military -government will do for this country, unless there are a good many such -as we are. I see a good many of my friends round about.”</p> - -<p>While the rope was being adjusted, he looked towards St. Sepulchre’s -Church, and perceiving, or affecting to perceive, some one with whom -he had been acquainted, he nodded several times, and then made an -inclination of the head towards the coffins, as if in derision of the -awful display. His conduct was marked by the same irrational levity to -the last. When his handkerchief was taken off, the stiffener fell out, -and he kicked it away, saying, “I shan’t want you any more.”</p> - -<p>His last act was to take a pinch of snuff from a paper which he held in -his hand. He stooped to put it to his nose, and this he was only able -to effect by pushing up the night-cap which hung over his face. He also -threw off his shoes.</p> - -<p class="space-above">The executioner was now proceeding to adjust the ropes, and to pull the -caps over the faces of the wretched men. A voice from the crowd again -called out, “God bless you, Thistlewood!” Thistlewood looked towards -the place from which it issued, and slightly inclined his head. He then -said a few words in a whisper to Tidd, and awaited his fate in silence.</p> - -<p>Brunt refused altogether to speak with Mr. Cotton upon the subject of -the next world, and declared that he had done all he thought necessary -for the place to which he was going. He appeared disposed to address -the crowd, but they were at too great a distance, and the executioner -was quick at his work.</p> - -<p>The cap was first drawn over the face of Thistlewood, and his cravat -was bound over his eyes. He stooped gently while the man tied it, and -appeared to direct him as to the way in which he wished it done. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span></p> - -<p>When the executioner came to Ings, the unhappy man said, “Now, old -gentleman, finish me tidily. Tie the handkerchief tight over my eyes. -Pull the rope tighter; it may slip.”</p> - -<p>When the handkerchief was tied over his eyes, he cried out, “I hope, -Mr. Cotton, you will give me a good character!” and commenced swinging -about in his hand an old night-cap in the most careless manner.</p> - -<p>Tidd’s lips were in motion just before he was turned off, as if in -prayer. Davidson was in the most fervent prayer, and seemed to feel his -situation with a becoming spirit. He firmly pressed the hand of the -Rev. Mr. Cotton.</p> - -<p>The executioner having completed the details of his awful duty, by -placing the criminals in a proper situation upon the trap-door, walked -down the ladder, and left Mr. Cotton alone upon the scaffold. The -Reverend Gentleman standing closer to Davidson than to any of the rest, -began to read those awful sentences which have sounded last in the ears -of so many unhappy men. Suddenly the platform fell, and the agonies of -death were exhibited to the view of the crowd in their most terrific -form.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood struggled slightly for a few minutes, but each effort was -more faint than that which preceded; and the body soon turned round -slowly, as if upon the motion of the hand of death.</p> - -<p>Tidd, whose size gave cause to suppose that he would “pass” with little -comparative pain, scarcely moved after the fall. The struggles of Ings -were great. The assistants of the executioner pulled his legs with all -their might; and even then the reluctance of the soul to part from its -native seat was to be observed in the vehement efforts of every part of -the body. Davidson, after three or four heaves, became motionless; but -Brunt suffered extremely, and considerable <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span>exertions were made by the -executioners and others to shorten his agonies, by pulling and hanging -upon his legs. However, in the course of five minutes all was still.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center">THE DECAPITATION.</p> - -<p>Exactly half an hour after they had been turned off, the order was -given to cut the bodies down. The executioner immediately ascended the -scaffold, and drew the legs of the sufferers up, and placed the dead -men, who were still suspended, in a sitting position, with their feet -towards Ludgate-hill. This being done, the trap-door was again put -up, and the platform restored to its original state. The executioner -proceeded to cut Thistlewood down; and, with the aid of an assistant, -lifted the body into the first coffin, laying it on the back, and -placing the head over the end of the coffin, so as to bring the neck on -the edge of the block. The rope was then drawn from the neck, and the -cap was removed from the face.</p> - -<p>The last convulsions of expiring life had thrown a purple hue over the -countenance, which gave it a most ghastly and appalling appearance; but -no violent distortion of feature had taken place. An axe was placed on -the scaffold, but this was not used.</p> - -<p>When the rope had been removed, and the coat and waistcoat forced down, -so as to leave the neck exposed, a person wearing a black mask, which -extended to his mouth, over which a coloured handkerchief was tied, -and his hat slouched down, so as to conceal part of the mask, and -attired in a blue jacket and dark-grey trowsers, mounted the scaffold -with a small knife in his hand, similar to what is used by surgeons in -amputation, and, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span>advancing to the coffin, proceeded to sever the head -from the body.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i384.jpg" alt="The Execution of the Cato Street Conspirators" /></div> - -<p>When the crowd perceived the knife applied to the throat of -Thistlewood, they raised a shout, in which exclamations of horror and -of reproach were mingled. The tumult seemed to disconcert the person -in the mask for the moment; but, upon the whole, he performed the -operation with dexterity; and, having handed the head to the assistant -executioner, who waited to receive it, he immediately retired, pursued -by the hootings of the mob.</p> - -<p>The assistant executioner, holding the head by the hair over the -forehead, exhibited it from the side of the scaffold nearest -Newgate-street. A person attended on the scaffold, who dictated to -the executioner what he was to say; and he exclaimed with a loud -voice—“This is the head of Arthur Thistlewood, the traitor!” A -thrilling sensation was produced on the spectators by the display of -this ghastly object, and the hissings and hootings of part of the mob -were vehemently renewed.</p> - -<p>The same ceremony was repeated in front of the scaffold, and on the -side nearest Ludgate-street. The head was then placed at the foot of -the coffin; while the body, before lifted up to bring the neck on the -block, was forced lower down, and, this done, the head was again put in -its proper place, at the upper end of the coffin, which was left open.</p> - -<p>The block was then moved by the hangman, and placed at the head of -the second coffin. The cap and rope were removed from the face and -neck of Tidd. The same livid hue which overspread the countenance of -Thistlewood was perceptible.</p> - -<p>The coat and waistcoat being pulled down, the masked executioner again -came forward. He was received with groans, and cries of “Shoot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span> that -—— murderer;” “Bring out Edwards,” <i>&c.</i> He seemed less disconcerted -than at first, and performed the operation with great expedition, and, -having handed the head to the person who had before received that of -Thistlewood, he retired amidst yells and execrations.</p> - -<p>The assistant executioner then advanced to the side of the scaffold, -from which the former head was first exhibited, holding the head -between both hands by the cheeks, the forehead of Tidd being bald, and -exclaiming, “This is the head of Richard Tidd, the traitor.” The same -words were also repeated from the other two sides of the scaffold, and -the head was then deposited with the body in the second coffin.</p> - -<p>The block was now removed to the third coffin, and the body of Ings, -being cut down, was placed in it with the face upwards. The person -in the mask again came forward, severed the head from the body, and -retired amidst the hootings of the crowd. The assistant-executioner -proceeded to exhibit the head, holding it up by the hair in the same -way as he had Thistlewood’s, from the three sides of the scaffold, -exclaiming, “This is the head of James Ings, the traitor.” The head was -then placed in the coffin.</p> - -<p>The block being removed to the fourth coffin, the body of Davidson was -taken down from the gallows, the noose taken from about the neck, and -the cap removed from the face, which remained in death exactly what it -had been while living. The mouth was a little open, but no expression -of agony, or change of colour, could be remarked. The body was placed -in the fourth coffin, and the man in the mask having performed his -part, the head was exhibited in the same way as the last, with the -exclamation, “This is the head of William Davidson, the traitor.”</p> - -<p>Little or no blood had fallen from the other heads, but from this it -fell profusely. The hisses<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span> and groans of the crowd were repeated -on this occasion, while the head was deposited in the coffin which -contained the sufferer’s body.</p> - -<p>The executioner and his assistant now proceeded to cut down the last -of the sufferers, Brunt. The block was placed at the head of the fifth -coffin. The blood which had stained the block was wiped off with the -saw-dust, and, the rope being cut, they attempted to lift the body to -the place where the last part of the sentence was to be executed, when -it was found that in putting up the platform part of his clothing had -been shut in with it, and held him so tight, that a considerable effort -was necessary to disengage the remains of the wretched culprit. He was -placed in the fifth coffin.</p> - -<p>His miserable and cadaverous countenance presented but a ghastly -spectacle while he was alive; but dead, its aspect was little less -than terrific; and the dark hair which overhung his forehead came in -frightful contrast with the purple hue produced by the agonies of death.</p> - -<p>The masked executioner, while performing his duty, happened to let the -head fall from his hands on the saw-dust. The howlings and groans of -the spectators were again heard at that moment, and amidst these the -operator retired, having first handed the discoloured “trunkless ball” -to the assistant executioner, who advancing, as in each of the other -cases, first to the side of the scaffold nearest Giltspur-street, then -to the front, and lastly to the side looking towards the Felons’-door, -proclaimed aloud, “This is the head of John Thomas Brunt, the traitor.” -His head was then placed in the coffin, and thus terminated this part -of the awful business of that memorable day.</p> - -<p class="space-above">The execution occupied an hour and eight minutes. It was a quarter -before eight when Thistlewood walked up the steps leading to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span> fatal -platform; and it wanted seven minutes to nine when the head of Brunt -was placed in the coffin.</p> - -<p>From the manner in which the last part of the execution was performed -very little blood was seen on the scaffold. The bodies being placed -almost in a sitting attitude in their coffins, the blood could not flow -copiously from them at the moment the heads were taken off. It was not -till they were laid in a horizontal position that the vital stream -could escape freely from the heart.</p> - -<p>The person who wore the mask, and who performed the ceremony of -decapitation, is said to be the same person who beheaded Despard and -his associates. This, however, may be doubted, as, from the quickness -and spring of his motions, he seemed to be a young man. His mode of -operation showed evidently that he was a surgeon. In performing his -dreadful duty, the edge of the first knife was turned by the vertebræ -of Thistlewood, and two others became necessary to enable him to finish -his heart-appalling task.</p> - -<p>The coffins containing the remains of the sufferers were left on the -scaffold but for a few minutes after the sentence of the law had been -carried into effect. While there they continued open. At nine o’clock -they were conveyed into the prison by the Debtors’-door, and this -dreadful scene being thus ended, the crowd began peaceably to separate.</p> - -<p class="space-above">In such an immense assemblage, as might be expected, some accidents -occurred through the dreadful pressure of the crowd. Some women (and -it is painful to record that many women were among the crowd) were -brought out fainting, and a boy was severely hurt by the falling of a -part of the railing in front of St. Sepulchre’s church. The persons -whose weight brought down the railing from the stone base in which it -was planted, were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span> thrown on the shoulders of those beneath them, and -caused great confusion at the moment, but no more serious accidents -occurred than the injury received by the boy above-mentioned.</p> - -<p class="space-above">In addition to the military arrangements on this awful occasion, which -we have incidentally mentioned, it was thought necessary to adopt -the following precautionary measures, that should any thing like a -breach of the peace be attempted, it might be crushed in its infancy; -and it is a pleasing part of our duty here to record the prudence -which gave rise to these measures, the very excellent and effectual -manner in which they were carried into execution, and, above all, the -exemplary conduct of the soldiers who were on duty throughout the -morning, although they were at times severely, and indeed unavoidably -pressed upon by the crowd. The Life Guards were incessantly attentive -to prevent their horses from doing any injury, while occasionally -driven out of their position by the momentary agitation of the persons -immediately near them.</p> - -<p>At a very early hour, the neighbourhood of Blackfriars-bridge, being -the place appointed for the rendezvous of a considerable number of -troops, presented a very novel spectacle. At five o’clock in the -morning, six light field-pieces of flying artillery arrived in front -of the livery stables, near Christ Church, escorted by the usual -complement of men. They drew up in the centre of the street, and -remained there until after the execution took place.</p> - -<p>At a still earlier hour, three troops of the Life Guards arrived in the -neighbourhood of Newgate; one troop and a picquet remained near the -scaffold; another picquet was stationed in Ludgate-hill, facing the Old -Bailey; and the remaining troop drew up in Bridge-street.</p> - -<p>The moment the prisoners were about to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span> brought out to the scaffold, -an officer rode from his station in front of Newgate, communicated -with the picquet on Ludgate-hill, and then rode on to the troop in -Bridge-street, to whom he immediately gave the word of command to -advance. The troop instantly followed the officer, and proceeded -onwards until they joined the picquet on Ludgate-hill, with which they -halted, and formed in a line, still facing the Old Bailey.</p> - -<p>The flying artillery, near Christ Church, also made a movement in -advance just at the same time, and formed a crescent across the road; -the guns pointing towards the bridge.</p> - -<p>The City Light Horse were under arms, in their barracks in -Gray’s-Inn-lane, and a number of troops were stationed at various -depôts, assigned them at convenient intervals throughout the metropolis.</p> - -<p>A little before ten, the multitude having completely dispersed, the -detachments marched off to their respective barracks.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center">DISPOSAL OF THE BODIES.</p> - -<p>On the day of execution the friends of the families of the unfortunate -men who were executed met at a public-house, and after some discussion -upon the subject of raising a subscription for the wives and children -of those who were transported, as well as of those who were hanged, -adopted a resolution to apply through Lord Sidmouth for leave to take -away the bodies of the deceased from Newgate.</p> - -<p>The following petition was accordingly drawn up, in the names of the -widows of the wretched criminals, and forwarded to Lord Sidmouth, to be -by him delivered to his majesty: </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span></p> - -<blockquote><p class="center"><i>To His Most Gracious Majesty the King.</i></p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Sire</span>,</p> - -<p>“The Petition of Susan Thistlewood, Mary Tidd, Mary Brunt, Celia -Ings, and Sarah Davidson, humbly sheweth, That your Petitioners -are the widows of the unfortunate men who this morning suffered -the dreadful sentence of the law at the Old Bailey.</p> - -<p>“Your petitioners most earnestly entreat your Majesty to grant -them one consolation, by restoring to them the mangled remains -of their late unfortunate husbands, that they, your petitioners, -may shed a silent tear over their mutilated remains, ere they are -consigned to the tomb.</p> - -<p>“We are confident that all desire of further vengeance has ceased, -and that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to order the -restoration of the bodies to your humble Petitioners, that they -may have them decently interred; and your Petitioners will, as in -duty bound, for ever pray, <i>&c.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p class="center">(Signed)</p> - -<table summary="Petitioners"> - <tr> - <td></td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">“SUSAN THISTLEWOOD,</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td></td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">“MARY TIDD,</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td></td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">“MARY BRUNT,</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td></td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">“CELIA INGS,</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td></td> - <td class="left"><span class="smcap">“SARAH DAVIDSON.”</span></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>The petition was accompanied by a request to his Lordship that the -bodies might be given up to the friends of the deceased, and stating, -that the object was the humane one of raising the means of support for -the wives and children by a public exhibition.</p> - -<p>It is almost unnecessary to state that Lord Sidmouth did not hesitate -to refuse the request, a compliance with which would be attended with -great inconvenience at least. His lordship stated, in the mildest -terms, the impossibility of granting it, contrary as such compliance -would be to established usage.</p> - -<p>At a late hour in the evening, the wives of the executed men were -informed by the keeper of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span> Newgate, that the bodies of their husbands -were buried.</p> - -<p>In the course of the afternoon a channel had been dug alongside of the -subterraneous passage that leads to the cells, and, about seven in -the evening, after the coffins had been filled with quick lime, they -were strongly screwed up, placed in a line with each other, strewed -over with earth, and finally covered with stones, and of course no -trace of their end remains for any future public observation. On this -circumstance being communicated to their unhappy wives, they were -entirely overcome by the poignancy of their feelings.</p> - -<p>On the following morning an individual petition was forwarded to the -Privy-Council on the part of Mrs. Thistlewood, and was presented to -his Majesty, for the body of her husband. A laconic answer was almost -immediately returned, “That Thistlewood was buried.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center"><i>Transportation of the respited Traitors, Discharge of the suspected -Persons, &c.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Very</span> early in the morning of Tuesday, the 2d of May, the -day following the execution of their partners in crime, five of the -respited traitors, namely, Wilson, Harrison, Cooper, Strange, and -Bradburn, were removed from Newgate in three post-chaises, and conveyed -under a proper escort to Portsmouth, where they were put on board a -convict-ship, which soon after sailed for New South Wales.</p> - -<p>Gilchrist was still detained in Newgate, but it was expected his -confinement would not be of long duration; the peculiar circumstances -of his case having excited a feeling of mercy towards him.</p> - -<p>On Saturday the 6th of May, the following persons, whose arrests on -suspicion we have previously mentioned, were placed at the bar of the -Old Bailey, previous to the adjournment of the court, <i>viz.</i> Thomas -Preston, William Simmons, Abel Hall, Robert George, William Firth, and -William Hazard. The prisoners being addressed by order of the court, -and informed that, as no prosecutors appeared against them, they were -discharged, bowed respectfully, and departed, with the exception of -Preston, who made an attempt to address the Court, but was immediately -silenced.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>We have now completed, as far as the individuals arrested were -concerned, our narration of the whole of the proceedings relative -to the horrid conspiracy, which at one time threatened such awful -consequences; but as many circumstances connected with the personal -history of the conspirators have been brought to light in the course of -the proceedings, which could not well be interwoven in the history of -their crimes, we have added in an <span class="smcap">Appendix</span> such particulars -respecting the principal actors in this dreadful tragedy, as we have -been able to collect, from a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span> conviction that every circumstance -connected with the lives of the ferocious criminals will be considered -as interesting.</p> - -<p>The infamous Spy and instigator, <span class="smcap">George Edwards</span>, has also -been frequently named as playing a very prominent part in this horrid -drama, and, independent of the disclosures of his criminal conduct, -incidentally made in the course of the judicial proceedings against the -conspirators, the answers given by Thistlewood to the questions put to -him by Mr. Alderman Wood, on the morning of the fatal first of May, -imparted a certain degree of interest to every circumstance connected -with that vile character, and a feeling of indignation, horror, and -disgust, was excited in the public mind relative to this consummate -villain, which had never been equalled but in the sensation caused by -the first discovery of the plot itself.</p> - -<p>Consonant with these feelings were the proceedings instituted by Mr. -Alderman Wood, both in and out of Parliament, for the apprehension and -bringing to trial of this worthless wretch on charges of diverse acts -of high treason alleged to have been committed by him; and although we -stop not to inquire whether the protection from the consequences of his -crimes, experienced by this fellow, be justifiable, or otherwise, we -shall certainly be rendering an acceptable service to society and to -future generations, in tracing this serpent through all his intricate -paths of villany, and cautioning the thoughtless and unsuspecting from -becoming the dupes of similar villains, (if any such exist) in their -intemperate moments of political animosity.</p> - -<p>With this view we have collected all the particulars attainable of the -conduct of this arch-fiend both in public or private, as an appropriate -addition to the lives of his partners in crime, and, perhaps, in some -respects, the victims of his villany.</p> - -<h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2">[2]</a> See Newgate Calendar, Vol. 3.</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3">[3]</a> See Newgate Calendar, Vol. 2.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span></p> - -<h2>APPENDIX:</h2> - -<p class="center">CONTAINING</p> - -<blockquote><p class="center"><i>Brief Sketches of the Lives of the Executed Conspirators, with -copies of their Letters; an account of the infamous George -Edwards, the Spy; the efforts made to bring him to justice, and -the Parliamentary Proceedings thereon; with other particulars -relating to the Conspiracy.</i></p></blockquote> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center">ARTHUR THISTLEWOOD.</p> - -<p>In page 70, of the preceding narrative, we have briefly touched on the -history of this ill-fated man, and we now add some further particulars -relating to him.</p> - -<p>Very early in life he manifested idle and unsettled habits, and -remained a burden on his family until the period of his obtaining a -commission in the Militia, soon after which he married a young lady of -property; but even that step, so promising in the outset, was pregnant -with future troubles. Thistlewood had supposed her fortune to be at -her own disposal, but it was in fact so settled, that she received -the interest only during her life, and the principal, at her death, -reverted to her relations. Sixteen months after their marriage, she -died in child-bed, and Thistlewood was left almost without a shilling -of her property.</p> - -<p class="center">* * * * * * - * * * *</p> - -<p>In London he formed an acquaintance with a number of young military -officers; was introduced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span> into all the vices and dissipation of the -metropolis, and gave loose to his passion for intrigue and gaming. On -one night he was filched by a notorious black leg, and some of his -companions, at one of the <i>Hells</i>, in the neighbourhood of St. James’s, -of upwards of 2,000<i>l.</i> His money being nearly all gone, he fled in -despair. Legal proceedings were commenced to recover the amount; but, -owing to some informality in the pleadings, it was not recovered; and, -soon after, those who had pigeoned him left the kingdom.</p> - -<p class="center">* * * * * * - * * * *</p> - -<p>In France his evil genius still followed him; on one occasion, having -an improper passport, he was detained by the police, and during his -detention, a circumstance occurred which produced him a long period of -confinement. He had always expressed himself a hater of oppression and -injustice. An Englishman, named Heely, was arrested for being without -a passport, and conveyed to the same prison where Thistlewood was -confined. Upon Thistlewood and Heely receiving orders from Paris for -their liberation, Heely used some insulting language to the officer -who brought him to prison; the officer struck him with a cane, and -Thistlewood knocked the officer down with his clenched fist.</p> - -<p>In consequence of this outrage, they were thrown into close -confinement, and lay there for several weeks before they were able to -obtain their final liberation.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood having obtained a passport, then went to Paris, having -sufficient knowledge of the French language to be able to converse. He -entered the French service, and was present during the perpetration of -numberless atrocities by the French troops.</p> - -<p>Although a man of but middling talent, he had a considerable knowledge -of military tactics;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span> was an excellent swordsman, and always fearless -of death.</p> - -<p>He entered a regiment of French grenadiers, and was at the battle of -Zurich, commanded by General ——.</p> - -<p>After a variety of adventures in France and on different parts of -the Continent, he returned to England, and became possessed of a -considerable estate, by the death of a relation; which he subsequently -sold to a gentleman at Durham for 10,000<i>l.</i></p> - -<p>He felt inclined to settle himself, and courted Miss Wilkinson of -Horncastle. The gentleman to whom he sold his estate, instead of paying -him the money, gave him an annuity bond, agreeing to pay him 850<i>l.</i> -per annum for a number of years. In eighteen months this purchaser -became a bankrupt, and Thistlewood was again reduced, not to want or -poverty, but his finances were at a low ebb.</p> - -<p>Thistlewood’s father and brother, both of whom now reside and are most -respectable farmers in the neighbourhood of Horncastle, assisted him -to take a farm; he continued to occupy it till he found he was losing -annually a considerable sum, in consequence of the high rent and taxes, -and farming produce being very low; he then parted with it. He came -with his present wife and son to London, and formed an acquaintance -with the Spenceans.</p> - -<p>The Evanses were his constant companions; he took young Evans to -France, paying all expenses for near twelve months; and since his -return his history is but too well recorded in the annals of crime.</p> - -<p>The son who took an affecting leave of him in prison, is not the -offspring of the first marriage, but a natural child of Thistlewood’s, -whom his second wife (the present widow) took under her care shortly -after her marriage, and to whom she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span> has shown great kindness. By the -widow he had no issue.</p> - -<p>The following lines are said to have been written by him while under -sentence of death in Newgate:—</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>Oh what a twine of mischief is a Statesman!</div> -<div>Ye furies! whirlwinds! and ye treach’rous rocks!</div> -<div>Ye ministers of death! devouring fires!</div> -<div>Convulsive earthquakes! and plague-tainted air!</div> -<div>Ye are all mild and merciful to him!!</div> -</div></div></div> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center">RICHARD TIDD</p> - -<p>Was born at Grantham, in Lincolnshire. His age at the time of his -execution was forty-five. He was apprenticed to Mr. Cante, of Grantham, -but quitted his situation at sixteen years of age. He then went to -Nottingham, where he lived two years and a half; from thence he came -to London, where he resided several years. He thought it prudent to -retreat into Scotland in 1803, and he stopped there for five years.</p> - -<p>This flight was made in consequence of his having voted for Sir Francis -Burdett, at the Middlesex election, when the Honourable Baronet was -opposed by Mr. Mainwaring. Tidd swore that he was a freeholder—the -fact being otherwise, and fled to avoid prosecution for perjury. A -reward of 100<i>l.</i> was offered for his apprehension.</p> - -<p>On his return from the north, he went to live at Rochester, and for -nine years worked at his trade of shoemaker in that town. He was -engaged in the conspiracy for which Colonel Despard suffered; but a -temporary absence from town preserved him from sharing the same fate. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span></p> - -<p>His last stay in town commenced on the 10th of March, 1818. From that -time he attended all Mr. Hunt’s meetings, public and private, and was -present at all the subsequent Radical meetings. He was introduced to -Edwards by Brunt, at his own residence, Hole-in-the-Wall Passage, -Baldwin’s-gardens. Edwards’s assumed violence suited his disposition, -and he eagerly closed with every proposition, however desperate.</p> - -<p>It was a most extraordinary circumstance that he had constantly an -impression on his mind, for the last twenty years, that he was to be -hanged. He frequently expressed to his wife that he should die on the -gallows, who felt distressed at his entertaining such an idea, but he -would still persist that such would be his fate. He was unhappily too -good a prophet, and thus a life of irregularity terminated in the most -ignominious manner.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Tidd is a very decent woman; Tidd has left a brother and one -daughter to deplore his fate.</p> - -<p>Tidd, during the war, enlisted into more than half of the regiments -under the crown, and received the different bounties. It is astonishing -how he escaped detection; he was always in disguise when he enlisted, -and, as soon as he had obtained the bounty, he deserted. When he had -spent the money, he enlisted into another regiment.</p> - -<p>It will be evident from this account, that the statements of his -uniform good character and conduct published at the period of his first -arrest, for the crime of which he was ultimately found guilty on an -impartial trial by a Jury of his countrymen, were put forth by some -zealous friend to produce a favourable impression on the public mind in -his behalf.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span></p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center">JAMES INGS</p> - -<p>Was a native of Hampshire. His relations were respectable tradesmen. He -has left a wife and four children. Ings was a butcher at Portsmouth, -and at the time of his marriage had a handsome property, consisting of -several houses, and some money in the funds.</p> - -<p>Trade growing bad at the termination of the war, and his property -having decreased, some of his tenements were sold, and he came up to -London about eighteen months ago, with a little ready money, produced -by the sale of a house, and opened a butcher’s-shop at the west-end -of the town. He could, however, get no business, and in a few months -gave up the shop, and, with a few pounds he had left, he opened a -coffee-shop in Whitechapel.</p> - -<p>Business becoming dull there, he was involved in great distress, and at -last was compelled to pawn his watch to enable him to send his wife and -children down to Portsmouth to her friends, to prevent their starving -in London.</p> - -<p>At the coffee-house in Whitechapel he sold, besides coffee, political -pamphlets, with which he was supplied by Carlile, of Fleet-street. -Having given up the shop, and finding that there was no prospect of -supporting himself and his family with credit, he gave himself up to -despair. He had read the different Deistical publications during the -time he sold political pamphlets, and, from being a churchman, he -became a confirmed Deist.</p> - -<p>He was a most affectionate husband and father; and his desperate -situation, no doubt, was a principal cause of his joining the -Cato-street plot.</p> - -<p>Edwards, Adams, Thistlewood, and Brunt, had frequently visited Ings -during the time he kept<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span> the coffee and political-pamphlet shop, -and when he was in more desperate circumstances, he became a fitter -companion for persons engaged in such an atrocious crime as the one for -which he suffered the sentence of the law.</p> - -<p>For some weeks before the Cato-street discovery, Ings was in the utmost -distress, quite pennyless, and the money he was supplied with to -subsist upon was given him by George Edwards. Ings was also supplied -with money by the same person to take an apartment, where arms and -ammunition could be safely placed. He took a room in the house where -Brunt lodged, and thither the greater part of the ammunition and arms -was conveyed by Edwards, Adams, and himself; indeed, it was the depôt -of the conspirators.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>The following Letters were written by Ings in Newgate, the night before -his execution:</p> - -<p class="center">TO HIS WIFE.</p> - -<p>“My dear Celia,—I hardly know how to begin, or what to say, for the -laws of tyrants have parted us for ever. My dear, this is the last time -you will ever hear from me. I hope you will perform your duty without -delay, which is for the benefit of yourself and children, which I have -explained to you before. My dear, of the anxiety and regard I have for -you and the children, I know not how to explain myself; but I must die -according to law, and leave you in a land full of corruption, where -justice and liberty has taken their flight from, to other distant -shores. My dear, I have heard men remark that they would not marry a -widow, not without her husband was hanged. Now, my dear, I hope you -will bear in mind that the cause of my being consigned to the scaffold -was a pure motive. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span></p> - -<p>“I thought I should have rendered my starving fellow-men, women, and -children a service; and my wish is, when you make another choice, that -this question you will put before you tie the fatal knot. My dear, -it is of no use for me to make remarks respecting my children. I am -convinced you will do your duty as far as lies in your power. My dear, -your leaving me but a few hours before I wrote these few lines, I have -nothing more to say. Farewell! farewell, my dear wife and children, for -ever! Give my love to your mother and Elizabeth. I conclude a constant -lover to you and your children, and all friends. I die the same, but an -enemy to all tyrants.</p> - -<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">James Ings.</span>”</p> - -<p>“PS. My dear wife, give my love to my father and mother, brother -and sisters, and aunt Mary, and beg of them to think nothing of my -unfortunate fate; for I am gone out of a very troublesome world, and I -hope you will let it pass like a summer cloud over the earth.”</p> - -<p>“Newgate, 4 o’clock, Sunday afternoon,<br /> - April 30, 1820.”</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center">TO HIS DAUGHTERS.</p> - -<p>“To my dear daughters.—My dear little girls, receive my kind love and -affection, once more, for ever; and adhere to these my sincere wishes, -and recollect though in a short time you will hear nothing more of your -father, let me entreat you to be loving, kind, and obedient, to your -poor mother, and strive all in your powers to comfort her, and assist -her whilst you exist in this transitory world, and let your conduct -throughout life be that of virtue, honesty, and industry; and endeavour -to avoid all temptation, and at the same time put your trust in God. I -hope unity, peace, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span>concord, will remain amongst you all. Farewell! -farewell, my dear children! Your unfortunate father,</p> - -<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">James Ings.</span>”</p> - -<p>“To Wm. Stone Ings,<br /> - and his Sisters.”</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center">TO HIS SON.</p> - -<p>“My little dear boy, Wm. Stone Ings, I hope you will live to read these -few lines when the remains of yr. poor father is mouldered to dust. -My dr. boy, I hope you will bear in mind the unfortunate end of your -father, and not place any confidence in any person or persons whatever; -for the deception, the corruption, and the ingenuity in man I am at a -loss to comprehend: it is beyond all calculation. My dear boy, I hope -you will make a bright man in society; and, it appears to me, the road -you ought to pursue is, to be honest, sober, industrious, and upright, -in all your dealings; and to do unto all men as you would they should -do unto you. My dear boy, put your trust in one God; and be cautious -of every shrewd, designing, flattering tongue. My dear boy, be a good, -kind, and obedient child to your poor mother, and comfort her, and be a -loving brother to your sisters. My dear boy, I sincerely hope and trust -you will regard these my last instructions. Yr. loving and unforte. -father,</p> - -<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">James Ings</span>.”</p> - -<p>“Newgate, Sunday Night, 8 o’clock,<br /> - April 30, 1820.”</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>The following petition to the King was written by Ings, the day -previous to his execution, it contains a repetition of some of the -facts urged by him in his defence, but of course produced no effect in -his favour.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center">THE HUMBLE PETITION OF JAMES INGS, TO THE KING.</p> - -<p>I was born near Waltham, in Hampshire, but I have lived ever since I -was about fifteen years of age at Portsea, and every one that knows -me knew no harm of me; and the masters that I have lived with sent me -a character for me to give to the Jury, but the Jury never saw the -character.</p> - -<p>I married a girl that I loved, and she had a little property, and I -continued working till I could get nothing to do, and I went into -business, and it turned out very unfortunately, and I lost a great -deal of money, not through drinking and gambling, for I never went to -a public-house in my life but to smoke my pipe, or for the sake of -company. I can assure your most gracious Majesty, that I never was -tipsey but three times in my life, and that was not through the love of -liquor.</p> - -<p>The times being so very bad at Portsea, and I had nothing to do, me -and my wife made up our minds to come to London: me and my family -left Portsea the beginning of May 1819. I thought when I came to town -I should get a situation, but to my sad disappointment I soon found -all my hopes was blasted. I tried every means I was master of to get -employ for the support my family: I did not know how to act, for it was -not my intention when I came to town to enter into business, I had a -little money by me, for me and my wife mortgaged her property—a house -I mean—to the full value of it, if it was to be sold now.</p> - -<p>I went and took a butcher’s shop in Baker’s-row, Whitechapel-road, and -I carried on business from Midsummer to Michaelmas. When I came to look -over my little stock of money, I found it was very much reduced, and -the summer being so very hot, was very much against me; and after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span> I -had paid my rent, and a few little bills beside, my money was nearly -all gone.</p> - -<p>I left Baker’s-row at Michaelmas, and I took a house in Old -Montague-street, Brick-lane, and I fitted it up for a coffee-house, -and then my money was gone. It did not turn out to my expectation, for -I did not take money enough, if it had been all profit, to keep my -family. I persuaded my wife to return to Portsea with the children: the -reason was, I thought she had better be among her friends without money -than in London.</p> - -<p>I remained in the house a short time after my wife had left me: there -was a man used to come frequently and take a cup of coffee, and he -used to enter into conversation about the Manchester massacre, and -Government, <i>&c.</i> I did not make but very little reply, for I took him -to be some officer.</p> - -<p>After I had left my house, I met him in Smithfield-market; he said I -have caught you out, I shall make you stand treat. I am sorry it is -not in my power, for I am very short at present; if I do not get some -work very shortly, I must sell my few things. What have you to sell? -A sofa-bedstead—it is the best piece of furniture I have. I should -like to see it; if I like it I will buy it, and give you as much as -any person will. I took him to my lodging, No. 20, Primrose-street, -Bishopsgate, and shewed him my sofa, but it did not suit him, and he -took me to a friend of his, a broker, to buy my sofa, but it did not -suit him, and we parted early in January.</p> - -<p>I met him in Fleet-market, and he asked me how I did? I told him I was -very low in spirits: come, he says, have a glass of gin—that will rise -your spirits. No, I thank you, I never drink so soon in the morning. -We walked up Fleet-street, and we went and bought the very sword that -was produced in the Court, and I took it to the cutler’s, and I left my -name. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span></p> - -<p>If I had known at that time what was going to be done, I am sure I -should not have left my name. He took me to the White Hart, and gave me -beef-steaks, <i>&c.</i> for my dinner, and I thought he was the best friend -I had, for he used to give me victuals and drink when I was very short; -and this was Edwards that introduced me to the party, which I never -should have known if it had not been for him.</p> - -<p>There have been a great deal more said about me in the Court than is -true, but it is of no use for me to try to contradict what has been -said. I never was at a political meeting in my life not before this -time, and I can assure you it was through Edwards, and the anxiety for -my wife and family, which brought me to this sad unfortunate situation. -I can assure your most high and mighty and gracious Sovereign, that I -have been a true and faithful subject till now, but being in distress, -and hearing the language I did, when irritated, took advantage of my -distressed situation.</p> - -<p>I know not what to say or how to address a King, but I hope your most -gracious Majesty will spare my life—life for the sake of family—for I -was not the inventor of this plot.</p> - -<p>I shall in future, if your most gracious Majesty spare my life, be a -true and faithful subject.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">James Ings.</span></p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center">WILLIAM DAVIDSON</p> - -<p>Was born in the year 1786, at Kingston, in Jamaica. His father was Mr. -Attorney-General Davidson, a man of considerable legal knowledge and -talent. He had several children.</p> - -<p>William, his second son, was sent to England when very young, for the -purpose of receiving an education suitable to the rank of his father, -and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span> his own prospects. His mother was a native of the West-Indies, a -woman of colour: she opposed her son being sent to England; but her -husband was resolved: he wished William to be brought up to his own -profession—the law. William was therefore sent to Edinburgh to be -educated.</p> - -<p>Having learned the first rudiments of education, he was sent to the -academy of Dr. ——, where he studied mathematics. Having left school, -he went to his father’s agent, a friend who resided near Liverpool.</p> - -<p>After some time he was apprenticed to a respectable attorney at -Liverpool, at whose office he remained near three years, when he became -tired of confinement. He had for some time felt great inclination to go -to sea, and the captain of a vessel, to whom he disclosed his wishes -upon the subject, promised to take him out as his clerk on his next -voyage.</p> - -<p>Without taking leave of the gentleman to whom he was articled, he -entered on board the merchant vessel, and soon had cause to repent, for -after the vessel had left the port, he was compelled by the captain to -perform duty.</p> - -<p>On the voyage a king’s ship stopped the vessel, and impressed -Davidson and many of the crew. He arrived in England about six months -afterwards, and wrote to his father’s friend a supplicatory letter. -His father’s friend sent for him, and at his own particular desire, -apprenticed him to a cabinet-maker, in Liverpool.</p> - -<p>Davidson was a personable young man, and was upon the point of marriage -to the daughter of a respectable tradesman at Liverpool; but her -friends sent her off, and prevented the match taking place. Davidson -being somewhat disappointed, determined to leave England, and to visit -his relatives at Kingston, in Jamaica.</p> - -<p>He took a passage on board of a West India merchantman, and on his -voyage again <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span>experienced the misfortune of being impressed into the -King’s service. He took the first opportunity of running away from the -vessel on its arrival in port, and having obtained some money from his -friends, he got work at his trade as a journeyman.</p> - -<p>About twelve months after, his mother allowed him two guineas per week, -which was paid him regularly through her agent. Davidson was employed -by Mr. Bullock, a cabinet-maker at Litchfield. He was a most excellent -workman, and was able to get three or four guineas a week, being a -man of considerable taste in his profession, and chiefly employed in -fitting up the houses of noblemen and gentlemen in the neighbourhood.</p> - -<p>With his mother’s allowance he was able to live and dress very -genteelly; and the company he kept was highly respectable. By some -accident he met a young lady of the name of Salt, who resided at -Litchfield; she was only sixteen years of age. She imbibed a strong -regard for Davidson, and, unknown to her family, she allowed him to -visit her. Miss Salt had at her own disposal, when of age, the sum of -7,000<i>l.</i> She communicated to her mother her passion for Davidson. Her -mother objected to it; but finding that nothing could wean her from her -attachment, she consented to allow Davidson to visit her daughter.</p> - -<p>He frequently paid visits unknown to the young lady’s father: the -latter, however, at length obtained information of these clandestine -interviews, and laid wait for him; and, as he entered the garden late -one evening, he fired a pistol at his head, and the ball it contained -passed through Davidson’s hat. A constable was sent for, and Davidson -was taken before a magistrate, charged with attempting to commit a -robbery; but upon Davidson stating the simple facts of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span> the case, -precisely as it occurred, that he was courting the daughter, with -the privity of Mrs. Salt, though against the desire of Mr. Salt, he -immediately set Davidson at liberty, and committed Mr. Salt to prison -for shooting at him.</p> - -<p>While Mr. Salt was in prison, he sent for Davidson, and promised him -his daughter, if he would not prosecute him. Davidson did not appear -against him, and he was set at liberty.</p> - -<p>Mr. Salt afterwards repented of his promise, and, to evade the pledge -he had given, he told Davidson that he would not object if he would -only wait till she was of age. Davidson communicated to Miss Salt the -wish of her father. She replied, “You know my sentiments towards you -now. I cannot say, if I remain single till I am of age, what they may -be then;” and expressed herself angry that Davidson should be inclined -to agree to her father’s proposal for deferring their union. Davidson -had previously written to Jamaica, to his mother, and informed her of -his intended union, and she had remitted 1200<i>l.</i> to a banking house in -London, and placed it at his disposal.</p> - -<p>Miss Salt was sent by her father to see a relative in a distant part -of the country, and before she had been many months there, she married -another suitor.</p> - -<p>Davidson, who had entertained very great affection for the lady, upon -hearing that she had broken her faith with him, went to a chemist’s -shop at Litchfield, and in a fit of despair, purchased some poison, -and took it; he had not swallowed it long before he communicated to -a friend the rash act he had committed, when the latter immediately -procured a powerful antidote, which Davidson took, and which destroyed -the effect of the poison in a great degree, though he was unwell for -a considerable time after. When<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span> he recovered, he left the place, and -took a large house near Birmingham.</p> - -<p>With the money his mother had sent him he entered into an extensive way -of business; but being, from the disappointment in his marriage with -Miss Salt, rendered quite unsettled in his mind, he did not attend to -his business, and in a short time the whole of his money was expended.</p> - -<p>Previous to his acquaintance with Miss Salt, he was employed by Lord -Harrowby to fit up his house, and had frequent conversations with the -Noble Lord upon the plan of decorating the interior of the mansion.</p> - -<p>After Davidson’s failure in business, near Birmingham, he came to -London, and was employed as a journeyman by Mr. Cox, a cabinet-maker, -in the Haymarket, to whom he had been strongly recommended, by some -gentlemen forming part of the congregation of a Chapel at Walworth, -which Davidson frequented, and where he also made himself active as -a teacher to the Sunday-school attached to the Chapel. It was during -the period of his service with Mr. Cox, that the circumstance happened -alluded to by Davidson on his trial, of an indelicate attack on -the person of one of the female teachers at the school; but we are -compelled to state, that his account of the affair is directly the -reverse of the truth. The fact was, that he habitually indulged in -attempts of a gross and indelicate nature on the persons, not only -of the teachers, but even of the children of the school; way-laying -them on their return home, particularly in the evening after their -attendance on divine worship, and taking improper liberties with them. -The outward sanctity of the man screened him from suspicion, and the -indelicate nature of his attacks silenced for too long a period the -virtuous and innocent females,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span> who were the objects of his vile -attempts; but at length his conduct became too gross for endurance, -and one of the ladies communicated it to the committee. This led -to enquiry, and the result was the most perfect unmasking of the -hypocrite, who was expelled with contempt and indignation from that -society and religious community, which he had so long disgraced by -making it the means of indulging his brutal propensities.</p> - -<p>After this detection and exposure, his conduct was more narrowly -observed, and his habitual lying, prevarication, and intrigue, became -notorious. Indeed he seemed to delight in evasion, and scarcely ever -spoke the plain truth.</p> - -<p>About four years ago he entered into business for himself at Walworth, -and then married a Mrs. Lane, the widow of a respectable man, who had -left her with four small children; for a short time he appeared to be -doing well. At length trade fell off, and he was obliged to remove to -London. He then took a lodging in Mary-le-bone.</p> - -<p>He had known Harrison (one of the transported conspirators) for several -years previous to his coming to Walworth, and by him he was introduced -to Thistlewood, and by the latter to Edwards, the spy.</p> - -<p>Edwards frequently called upon Davidson at his lodgings during the -getting up of the Cato-street plot, and was, for several weeks before, -his and Thistlewood’s constant companion. Edwards breakfasted with -Davidson on the morning before the Cato-street plot was discovered; and -on the same evening, in the presence of Mrs. Davidson, gave him money -to get a blunderbuss out of pawn.</p> - -<p>On the Sunday night, when Davidson parted, for the last time, with -his distressed wife, he expressed himself very strongly against Lord -Sidmouth. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span></p> - -<p>After he had kissed her, he said, “If I should betray a weakness when -I come out on the scaffold, I hope the world will not attribute it to -cowardice, but to my intense feelings for you and my dear children. -Farewell, love! pray that God will take mercy on me, and receive my -soul.” Mrs. Davidson then left him.</p> - -<p>This unfortunate woman is left with six children; four by her former -husband, and two fine boys by Davidson, both under four years of age.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>The following letter was written by Davidson to his wife, enclosing the -notice served upon him by the solicitor for the prosecution, that the -indictment for high treason had been found by the Grand Jury.</p> - -<p class="space-above">“My dear Sarah,—According to the promise your entreaties caused -me to make to you concerning matters of counsel, <i>&c.</i></p> - -<p>I have sent you here the order I received last night—an order for -application to either of the several justices therein mentioned, -whereby an order will be granted to the applicant for the free -admission of counsel, solicitors, <i>&c.</i> But I would rather, for -my part, use such an order for you and my dear children, in -preference to counsel, <i>&c.</i>; and would now retain my integrity -of not having any, only as it is the first time you ever ask the -favour of being dictator, and as in such considerations I did -grant you that request, I will not now fall from such a promise, -to one whose sole interest and young family entirely depends -on the result of this trial. Therefore, you can be advised how -you are to act; for my own part, I am careless about it, as I -am determined to maintain my integrity as a man against all -the swarms of false witnesses,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span> and I hope you will never be -persuaded, or suffer the public to be led away with a belief, that -I am fallen from that spirit maintained from my youth up, and -had so long been in possession of the ancient name of Davidson -(Aberdeen’s boast), and is now become feeble. Death’s countenance -is familiar to me. I have had him in view fifteen times, and -surely he cannot now be terrible. Keep up that noble spirit for -the sake of your children, and depend that, even in death, it will -be maintained, by your ever affectionate husband,</p> - -<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">Wm. Davidson</span>.”</p> - -<p> “Mrs. Sarah Davidson,<br /> -“12, Elliott-row, Mary-le-bone.”</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>The following is a copy of the letter, which he wrote to Lord Harrowby, -referred to in page 357, it is evidently a rank falsehood, written in -the hope, perhaps, of obtaining a respite:</p> - -<p>“My Noble Lord,—It is with the greatest pleasure I write to -inform your lordship of my innocence of the charge wherein I am -shortly about to suffer death. My Lord, permit me to inform your -lordship, from the personal knowledge I have of your lordship’s -family, it is impossible I could be guilty of the slightest -intention to harm your lordship in any way. My lord, I have had -the honour of working at your lordship’s seat, in Sandon-hall, -Staffordshire, wherein I worked for Mr. Bullock, of Rugeley, and -would at any time rather lose my life in your defence than to be -an accomplice to harm you, or any other man, be his condition -ever so poor, much more so many illustrious persons, and among -them one I had so great a respect for, from personal knowledge, -as your lordship. I declare now to your lordship, as I hope to -be saved, that Edwards was the man who gave me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span> the money to -redeem the blunderbuss, which Adams carried away to Cato-street; -I gave it to him not knowing of any plot: and, as I related -to the Privy-Council, Mr. Goldworthy met me in John-street, -Portland-road; he gave me a sword to take to Cato-street, and a -bundle, which contained belts. When I found I was entrapped, I -naturally attempted to escape, but never fired. I never had any -pistols in my possession; and, in truth my lord, Mr. Edwards must -know that I am not that man of colour that was in their party, if -he will do me the justice to say so.”</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center">JOHN THOMAS BRUNT</p> - -<p>Was born in Union-street, Oxford-street, London. His father was a -tailor: he apprenticed his only son John Thomas, at the age of fourteen -years, to Mr. Brookes, a lady’s shoemaker, in Union-street. He served -Mr. Brookes till he was eighteen years of age, when, his father dying, -his mother purchased the remainder of his time, and his indentures were -given up to her, and he supported his mother for some years by his -labour.</p> - -<p>At the age of twenty-one years he articled himself to learn the -boot-closing; and, in a short time became an excellent workman: A -prize-boot in the shop of a tradesman in the Strand was made by him. -When he was twenty-three years of age he married a respectable young -woman, named Welch. On the 1st of May, 1806, she brought him a boy, -who is now living with his mother. He was fourteen years of age on the -day his unfortunate father suffered the sentence of the law. Brunt was -thirty-eight years of age.</p> - -<p class="space-above">The following lines were written by Brunt in the Tower, upon the -Secretary of State sending a letter in answer to one written by the -Major, that the alleged traitors were not to be allowed knives<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span> or -forks, and only to be allowed to walk on the leads an hour each day:</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>The Home Department’s <i>Secretaire</i>,</div> -<div>His orders they would make you stare;</div> -<div>An hour a day allowed to walk,</div> -<div>But mind you neither wink nor talk!</div> -<div>For these are gifts of human reason,</div> -<div>And you are adepts in high treason:</div> -<div>No bigger rogues on earth there be on,</div> -<div>For so says Edwards the <i>espione</i>!</div> -<div>Let them eat and drink and sleep,</div> -<div>But knives and forks pray from them keep,</div> -<div>As they’ll commit assassination—</div> -<div>The rogues would overturn the nation!</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>At the bottom of the above lines were written the following couplets:</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>In modes of faith let graceless zealots fight,</div> -<div>He can’t be wrong whose life is in the right.</div> -<div>Life’s but a jest, and all things show it,</div> -<div>I thought so once, but now I know it!</div> -<div class="right"><span class="smcap">J. T. Brunt</span>, <i>Tower of London</i>.</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>The following verses were written by Brunt, in Newgate, on the -Sunday evening, after taking leave of his wife; they were inclosed -in an envelope, which was addressed to his wife; it contained also a -shilling, the last money he possessed, and he requested his wife to -keep the shilling for his sake as long as she lived:</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>Tho’ in a cell I’m close confin’d,</div> -<div>No fears alarm the noble mind;</div> -<div>Tho’ death itself appears in view,</div> -<div>Daunts not the soul sincerely true!</div> -<div>Let Sidmouth and his base colleagues</div> -<div>Cajole and plot their dark intrigues;</div> -<div>Still each Briton’s last words shall be,</div> -<div>Oh! give me death or liberty!</div> -<div class="right"><span class="smcap">J. T. Brunt</span>, <i>Newgate, April 30, 1820</i>.</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p class="center"><i>Proceedings relative to</i> <span class="smcap">George Edwards</span>, <i>the Spy</i>.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>On Tuesday, the 2d May, Mr. Alderman Wood rose in his place in the -House of Commons, and said, that “he had a question to bring under the -consideration of the house, which he considered as one of the greatest -importance, and particularly to the house itself. He might be wrong in -the course which he had proposed to himself to pursue; but, if he were, -the Speaker would, no doubt, instruct him what was the proper mode -of bringing the matter forward. He had come to the determination of -treating it as a breach of privilege; and would here very briefly state -what were the facts.</p> - -<p>“Seven persons had applied to him, in his official capacity of -magistrate, for a warrant to take up a man, stated to be then resident -in Fleet-street, whose name was said to be George Edwards. He -immediately went into a private examination of those individuals, with -the assistance of Sir W. Domville. Four of the parties deposed to some -very material facts, some of which, affecting the safety of that house, -he should now mention; but others, which were detailed at great length, -were of too horrible a description for him to repeat.</p> - -<p>“They involved a plot, not merely to effect the destruction of that -house, and the honourable members within it, but of one of the highest -personages in this kingdom, and of his majesty’s ministers also. He -would, however, confine himself to the facts of the case as they -regarded that house. He would read the words of the deposition. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Some time in that year deponent saw a man, of the name of Edwards, -going from one public-house to another, inviting persons to unite with -him in the execution of the plots against the government, which he -intended to bring forward. It then went on to state, that one of his -great plots was this:—He said, ‘that he could bring into the House of -Commons six or eight men very readily, and that it was not necessary -that they should come in <i>clean</i>.’ By that expression he meant, that -they might easily enter the House with something under their arms; for -they could so come into the lobby and other parts of the House with -books; no objection would be offered to their passing in with books -under their arms.</p> - -<p>“These books were to have been filled with gun-barrels, cut down to the -length of four inches only, which were to be filled with gunpowder, and -plugged up at both ends; and these implements being thrown down in the -middle of the House, upon some occasion of a full attendance, when it -would be in a very crowded state, would explode with great violence, -and cause much destruction. The deposition went on to shew, that -Edwards on one occasion said, ‘Thistlewood is the boy for us; he’s the -one to do our work: he will very soon be out of Horsham-gaol.’ Now the -evidence next showed, that, two days after, Thistlewood did come out -of Horsham-gaol, and he was introduced to this Edwards at the house of -Preston, the cobbler; and that which was the strongest confirmation of -the whole statement, and proved it beyond all doubt, was, that Edwards -did get those very books made for the purpose; and that he procured the -gun-barrels, and had them cut up.</p> - -<p>“At that time, too, he had not money enough to buy a pot of beer. -All at once, however, he got supplied with cash, and was enabled -to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span>purchase several other weapons of defence, and arms, which the -deponents spoke of.</p> - -<p>“Now, this was the general substance of the depositions as they -regarded that house; as to the other parts, which related to the -intended taking off of certain individuals, he had hardly satisfied -himself what might be the best mode of proceeding; or whether, from -the nature of the case, he might be justified in asking the House to -indulge him with a committee of secrecy, in which case it would not be -necessary for him to proceed with his present observations. The other -details, however, which he did not at present feel it his duty to bring -before the House, were of a most terrible description, and unfolded -plots of the most dreadful character.</p> - -<p>“The persons who had made the depositions were respectable persons, -and not at all implicated in the late legal proceedings, as having -been evidence for the crown or for the prisoners. He had had several -other persons with him that same morning, who were all ready to swear -that they knew Edwards to have been engaged in these plots from time -to time. He had been asked by several individuals, how he intended -to proceed in this case; and he could now declare, that his mind was -made up to call that person (Edwards) before the bar of the house. -Whether, however, he should ask for a committee of secrecy, or proceed -in any other way, he was ready to bring this important business before -them, and he thought that he discharged his duty in so doing. He had -not thought it proper to swear those deponents to the truth of their -allegations, because all the acts charged against Edwards were stated -to have occurred either in the county of Middlesex or the city of -Westminster. As he never interfered in such a case, he told the parties -that they must go before a magistrate, either<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span> of Westminster or of the -county; or else that they must apply for a warrant to Lord Sidmouth. He -directed them to go to his Lordship; and promised that, upon procuring -the warrant, he would get it immediately backed, so as to make it -operative within the city of London.</p> - -<p>“He thought the thing a matter of such importance that he took the -depositions in charge himself; and ordered the witnesses to attend him -at Lord Sidmouth’s immediately; but it so happened that his Lordship -had left the place a few minutes before his arrival. He left the -depositions with a person whom he had now in his eye, and had received -an answer; but he did not think proper now to give it.</p> - -<p>“The existence of such a man as this Edwards it was almost impossible -to conceive. It was difficult to imagine a man, going about with all -this boldness from public-house to public-house—nay, even from one -private house to another, framing and discoursing of all these plots. -For his own part, however, when he looked at all the facts, he thought -it clear that Edwards had become connected with the conspirators at a -very early period; and he pledged himself, that, if the house should -adopt any question upon the subject, he would bring forward such -evidence as must convict the man. It was only to be apprehended that he -was not, perhaps, in the country, which he might have quitted by this -time; otherwise, no doubt, there were honourable gentlemen who were in -possession of him, so that he might be produced. He, therefore, felt -it his duty, under all the circumstances, before he sat down, to move, -‘That George Edwards be immediately brought to the bar of this house.’”</p> - -<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Bathurst</span> objected to the motion, on the ground that an -individual charged with such high crimes as those imputed to Edwards, -was an improper person to be brought to the bar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span> of the House of -Commons, on the charge of a breach of privilege; but stated that there -was no doubt, if the question was brought before the House in a proper -shape it would be entertained.</p> - -<p>Mr. Alderman <span class="smcap">Wood</span> in reply said, “that he certainly set out -with intimating that he saw great difficulties in this question, but -was, indeed, quite happy to hear it observed, that if the business were -brought before the House properly, the House would properly entertain -it. He thought it right to state, that he had applied to another -quarter, to get the individual in question prosecuted, but in that -application he had been disappointed.</p> - -<p>“When he first read over the depositions, which were of a nature, he -was sure, to make every man shudder with horror, he thought that not -a moment was to be lost in taking Edwards up, if he could be found; -and, he took it for granted that he could be found; for he was known -to have been in the possession of certain persons for a long time. His -plots were truly diabolical; and from the evidence it could be proved, -beyond contradiction or dispute, ‘that Edwards was the sole plotter and -founder of the whole Cato-street plot.’ At present knowing of no other -way than the motion he had suggested by which the man might be brought -to justice, he should leave the matter in the hands of the House.”</p> - -<p>A short debate on the question then ensued, but it appearing that the -charge could not regularly be entertained by the House as a breach of -privilege, Mr. Alderman Wood was induced to withdraw the motion for the -present.</p> - -<p>On the 9th of May the worthy Alderman, having newly-modelled his -motion, so as to move for a committee of secrecy to examine the -depositions in his possession, again called the attention of the House -to the subject. He commenced by stating that “in bringing forward the -motion, he had no object in view but the furtherance of justice, no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span> -end to attain but the elucidation of certain extraordinary facts. He -had not willingly embarked in this business, which he wished to have -been taken up by his Majesty’s ministers. He had done all he could to -induce the Secretary of State for the Home Department<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4">[4]</a> to bring to -trial and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span> to punishment the individual whose name was so intimately -connected with the late conspiracy. He had done so as a magistrate.</p> - -<p>“In consequence of information which he had received, he deemed it -necessary to lay before the Secretary of State all the documents he -could collect on the subject of Edward’s proceedings; and he produced -a number of persons who were ready to swear to the matters contained -in their depositions. He farther added, in his correspondence with -the Secretary of State, that he was then enabled to bring forward a -considerable body of evidence in support of what had previously been -alleged. He had attentively looked over a vast number of depositions, -which appeared to him to be of great importance. He had brought down -about thirty of them; and he craved the indulgence of the house while -he read over the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span> whole of this evidence, preparatory to his moving for -a secret committee. His only wish was that a secret committee should be -appointed; and if the House at once agreed to it, he should be quite -contented with that result.</p> - -<p>“If he could show that Edwards was the person who directed that -plot—if he could show that he was going about for two years -endeavouring to effect it—if he could prove that it was Edwards who -purchased the swords and the arms of all kinds—if he could prove, by -good evidence, that it was he who made the instruments of destruction -which were produced on the trial, and others which might now be -produced—he thought it would be quite impossible for the House to -refuse his motion. He could substantiate all this by evidence—by -the evidence of persons whose characters could not be impeached. He -could bring forward witnesses, who had lived four, five, and six -years with their employers, from whom they had received the best of -characters. They stated, that Edwards had called on them at different -times, and had endeavoured to seduce them: that he had drawn them into -public-houses—that he had made purchases of arms—and that he had sent -arms to their houses, they not knowing from whom those arms came, until -subsequent evidence made them acquainted with the fact.</p> - -<p>“He had traced this man during a period of five years, although his -motion was confined to two. Some years ago he was living at Windsor, -and some favour was shown to him by persons about the Castle. He was -employed as a modeller in plaster-of-Paris<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5">[5]</a>. Sometimes he was in -deep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span> adversity, at other times his circumstances were better. At one -period he was walking about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span> the streets selling his busts, without -shoes or stockings; and all at once he became comparatively rich. To -account for this, he stated that he was the relation of a German count, -from whom he had received some money; in obtaining which, he said, he -was assisted by Lord Castlereagh. This circumstance was sufficient to -excite suspicion in any rational mind.</p> - -<p>“He would also prove that Edwards had been long connected with the -police-officers. This was a point which certainly must be considered -as very important. He pledged himself to show that Edwards was in -connexion with a police-officer who was the intimate friend of Castles, -and by whom Castles was employed to entice individuals to assist in -the liberation of French officers, those individuals being immediately -afterwards seized, for the purpose of procuring the reward. If he -traced deeds of this description to Edwards, he contended that the -committee ought to be granted. All this, doubtless, would be denied; -but he was prepared to prove it, and was determined to do his duty. He -had sought out the history of this man, as, on a former occasion, he -investigated and exposed the conduct of three individuals who stood in -a similar situation, and who, for the purpose of receiving the reward, -were inciting men to the commission of crimes.</p> - -<p>“When, at last, he brought the villany of this atrocious traitor (he -could not denominate him a man) before the House—when he traced him, -forming his plots—meeting individuals at an <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span>appointed place, for the -purpose of carrying his schemes into execution—telling them, if they -were surprised, to proceed to Lord Harrowby’s—employing himself in -making those arms which were produced on the trial—and, above all, -when he proved that Edwards had brought Thistlewood to the lodging at -Davis’s house—that he had hired that lodging for him—that he did -not cause his apprehension the night of the discovery, but that he -caused his arrest the next morning, having waited until the <i>Gazette</i>, -offering a reward of 1,000<i>l.</i>, was published;—when he proved all -this, could they refuse a full and fair enquiry? He could incontestibly -show, that Edwards told the persons engaged in the conspiracy, in -case they were disturbed, to follow him to Grosvenor-square; that he -accompanied a part of them on their way towards Cato-street to Holborn; -that he quarrelled with one of the persons who declined going further; -that when the discovery was made, he informed Mrs. Thistlewood where -her husband was; that he went the next morning to Harris’s, and desired -him to keep Thistlewood all day, and that he would be removed at night; -and finally, that he brought the officers to seize him.</p> - -<p>“He could further show that Edwards had taken lodgings, under the -assumed name of Walls, in Pimlico. He referred the owner of the house -to a porter, at Buckingham-gate, for his character, who told him, -‘This is Mr. Walls, of Windsor.’ He remained at these lodgings for a -considerable time with a police-officer.</p> - -<p>“He would now proceed to the depositions:</p> - -<p>“A person named Pickard<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6">[6]</a>, a weaver,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span> working for his father, deposed -that he had casually met with Edwards at a public-house. Edwards called -him by name, though he did not recollect having seen him before. -Edwards told him “It was time the b—y thieves <i>was</i> destroyed. A -number of persons, say six (he continued), might get admission into -the gallery of the House of Commons, provided with tin cases, painted -to represent books, and filled with <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span>pistol-barrels. One of these, -provided with hemp, as a fuse, might be thrown into the House, when the -members were engaged in debate.” Deponent farther said, that Edwards -gave him a small steel instrument, to fix to a walking-stick. He also -stated that Edwards was constantly going after him.</p> - -<p>“Another individual, William Coudry, stated, that he attended several -meetings when Edwards was present, and was informed by him, on one -occasion, that a cabinet dinner was to be given at Lord Westmoreland’s, -at which Lord Castlereagh would be present. Edwards said, ‘the b——y -Irish butcher must be made away with.’ Coudry stated also that he had -often seen Edwards afterwards preparing destructive instruments.</p> - -<p>“A person named Seymour stated, that he knew Edwards four or five -years, having met him some time ago, and he proposed that deponent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span> -should go to a meeting in Smithfield. He replied to Edwards, that he -would not go, for that he was not inclined to join in those bad pranks. -Edwards afterwards told this man that the meeting had not turned out -to their expectation. This was a man of considerable respectability. -Another man had seen Edwards at a coffee-house, in June, and was told -by him that the only means was, to destroy his majesty’s ministers, -by throwing hand-grenades into their carriages. Another individual -was called on by Edwards on the 19th of August, three days after the -dispersion of the meeting. Edwards stated to him, that Manchester was -on fire, that the New Bailey was taken, and that Hunt was killed, and -added, ‘Come out immediately, all are ready; we have nothing to do but -rallying our forces.’ Edwards came again at eight in the evening, and -said something so wicked, that the man would have nothing more to do -with him.</p> - -<p>“Edwards called on another man at his mechanical business, and asked if -the men were all reformers. After coming several times he saw a sword -hung up in the place, and said he would be very much obliged to him for -it. The individual gave it. Edwards said, ‘you have more?’ He replied -that he had not. Edwards said such swords were very cheap, and they -could get them as cheap as the government. The man gave him no more, -but soon afterwards a bundle was brought to him containing twenty-four -swords and some pikes, and Edwards carried away a number of them under -his coat, and sent for others. He said to this individual, ‘Pray come -and see what we are about.’ He went, and saw Edwards in a flannel -jacket, surrounded with combustibles; he saw him making cartridges and -hand-grenades, and arranging all the implements of destruction. The -man, who had formerly been at sea, would stay no longer. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</a></span></p> - -<p>“A man of the name of Chambers<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7">[7]</a> was visited by Edwards, and was -desired to permit him to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</a></span> leave there some arms. Edwards said that -all was ready. He offered money to two Irishmen who came in, and -brought them to a public-house, where he treated them with some drink. -Mary Barker, daughter of one of the unfortunate men, stated that the -hand-grenades and other things found in her father’s (Tidd’s) house, -were entirely brought in the night before by Edwards.<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8">[8]</a></p> - -<p>“Another individual—he was not desired by any of those persons to -conceal their names, and if any member wished for the names he was -ready to give them,—the individual to whom he alluded knew Edwards; he -had known William Edwards, brother of this Edwards, connected with the -police, and had worked with him at the palace at Windsor. This man was -conducted by Edwards to Cato-street, but when he saw the preparations -there, he immediately ran away. Edwards presented his sword to prevent -another from going away from Cato-street. To another person Edwards -said, ‘Now is the time to destroy his majesty’s ministers, if the -country is not to be ruined.’ The man replied, ‘Such a thing might do -very well for a foreigner; it would not do for an Englishman.’ Edwards -then got Thistlewood to come along with him to this man. Thistlewood -had sold an estate to a friend of the man’s, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[Pg 432]</a></span> was therefore known -to him. But the man said to them, ‘I’ll hear no more of that.’</p> - -<p>“Another man was applied to by Edwards, on the 19th of January, and -was told by him that the destruction of ministers, either in their -carriages or at cabinet dinners, was determined on. He would not weary -the house by detailing all the practices of this infernal person. One -very long and very interesting paper in this matter, which explained -the whole from beginning to end, was written by one of the unfortunate -individuals who had been seduced—it might therefore be said that it -was deserving of little credit. Another person stated Edwards to have -been patronized at Windsor, and that he knew him to be a spy. Another -person, who had been on the waggon at the Smithfield meeting, stated, -that Edwards gave a hint to a person who was about to speak of what he -should say—gave him a pint of beer—told him to speak out, and among -other things suggested, that they were ready with fire-balls. It was a -very extraordinary disclosure, and never had there been a thing devised -so well. In the whole proceedings not one instance was found of one -person seduced, seducing another. A was not found to have seduced B; -but in all cases Edwards was the seducer.</p> - -<p>“Of some of the papers he was not prepared to give any account, as they -had come into his hands only since he came into the house; but he had -stated the facts brought forward by such persons as were sufficient -to convict Edwards. He should hear, perhaps, that those persons were -themselves guilty of misprision of treason; he was prepared to hear -that, and to say something in reply. But that did not at all lessen the -guilt of the individual who was seducing others to acts of treason. -Edwards had gone on with these practices, and supplied others with -money. He could prove money to have passed from Edwards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[Pg 433]</a></span> to many of the -deluded persons. It was remarkable that Edwards was near the spot when -Thistlewood was taken in Harris’s house. Whether he had received the -1,000<i>l.</i> or not, he did not know. If he had, he could now live without -labour, at least without such labour as he might otherwise be dependent -on.</p> - -<p>“This was established by the testimony of a very respectable man, -who kept a school in St. George’s, Hanover-square, with respect to -whose conduct in this business the trustees had held a meeting, and -found nothing to blame. This gentleman (Mr. Fowler) was applied to -by Edwards under the name of Wards, for lodgings, and Mr. Wake, who -kept Buckingham-gate, said to Mr. Fowler that he was a respectable -person. After he had been six weeks there, he said to Mr. Fowler, if -Mr. Sheriff Parkins or Mr. Sheriff Rothwell should call for him, his -name was Edwards. Mr. Fowler exclaimed, ‘Good God! have I got a spy -in my house all this time?’ There had been no subscription to provide -any money, except indeed a trifle for one of the persons implicated, -who had been in the debtors’ prison, but it was very small. There had -been, therefore no money provided among them that could account for -Edwards’ mode of living and acting.” The worthy alderman concluded -by moving, ‘That a secret committee be appointed to examine evidence -touching the criminal conduct of George Edwards for the last two years, -and particularly touching his connexion with the conspiracy detected in -Cato-street.’</p> - -<p>The motion was seconded by Sir Robert Wilson, and a warm and animated -debate, between most of the leading members of the house ensued, in -which the principle of employing spies was strongly censured and -condemned by some members, and approved of and supported by others, -as a justifiable measure of state policy. The question was, however, -ultimately negatived. </p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[Pg 434]</a></span></p> - -<p>The exertions of Mr. Alderman Wood in the House of Commons having been -rendered nugatory by the rejection of this motion, recourse was had to -the ordinary means of justice, and on Monday the 22d of May, the Grand -Jury for the County of Middlesex found a true bill against <span class="smcap">George -Edwards</span>, for High Treason, and among the witnesses examined by the -Grand Jury in support of the charge were, Mrs. Thistlewood, Mrs. Brunt, -and Julian Thistlewood, (the son). Mr. Harmer was authorized to offer a -reward for the apprehension of Edwards, and the following advertisement -immediately appeared in the newspapers:</p> - -<p class="center"><i>High Treason.—One Hundred Guineas Reward.</i></p> - -<blockquote><p>A True Bill of indictment having been found by the Middlesex -Grand Jury against GEORGE EDWARDS for HIGH TREASON, whoever -will apprehend and lodge the said George Edwards in any of his -Majesty’s Gaols, shall, on application to Mr. James Harmer, of -Hatton-garden, London, receive the above reward.</p> - -<p>The said George Edwards is by trade a modeller; he is about 5 feet -3 inches high, thin and pale faced, with an aquiline nose, grey -eyes, and light brown hair; he has lately gone by the name of -Wards, and is supposed to be about to leave this country for New -Brunswick under that assumed name.</p></blockquote> - -<p>The retreat of Edwards, however, has never been discovered, and the -general expectation is that a free pardon will be granted to him for -all acts of treason committed previous to a certain time, by which he -will be secured against the consequences of the bill found against him.</p> - -<p>The witness Hiden, and the accomplices Monument and Adams, who became -evidence for the crown, are also detained in confinement, but will -probably be hereafter released by a general pardon.</p> - -<p class="center">FINIS.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center">London:- Printed by <span class="smcap">W. Clowes</span>, Northumberland-court.</p> - -<h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4">[4]</a> The following are copies of letters which passed between -Lord Sidmouth and Mr. Alderman Wood, on the subject:</p> - -<p class="center"><i>From Lord Sidmouth to Mr. Alderman Wood.</i></p> - -<p class="right">Whitehall, April 26, 1820.</p> - -<p>Sir,—I have to thank you for the statements of Mary Barker, Thomas -Chambers, William Tunbridge, and George Pickard, which you left, in my -absence, in the hands of Mr. Clive.</p> - -<p>You are probably aware, from the list of witnesses which has been -delivered to the prisoners now on their trial, that George Edwards, who -is alluded to in those statements, is named in that list, and is liable -to be called as a witness for the Crown; and there does not appear to -me any sufficient ground for instituting any proceedings against him.</p> - -<p class="center">I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,</p> - -<p>Mr. Alderman Wood, <i>&c. &c.</i></p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Sidmouth.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><i>To the Right Honourable Viscount Sidmouth.</i></p> - -<p>My Lord,—Having brought a question respecting George Edwards before -the House last evening, it is my intention to renew that question in a -different form. I have received considerable information, besides those -documents I left at your Lordship’s office, confirming the infamous -conduct of Edwards. I have, therefore, to request your Lordship will -prevent Edwards from leaving the country, as I have been this day -informed he is preparing to leave England for America.</p> - -<p>I have the honour to be, my Lord, your most obedient servant,</p> - -<p>May 3, 1820.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">M. Wood.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><i>From Lord Sidmouth to Mr. Alderman Wood.</i></p> - -<p class="right">Whitehall, May 3, 1820.</p> - -<p>Sir,—I have received your letter of this date, in which you request me -to prevent George Edwards from leaving this country; and, in reply, I -have to acquaint you, that I know of no ground which could justify me -in issuing a warrant against Edwards, that being the only mode by which -I could comply with your request.</p> - -<p class="right">I have the honour to be, Sir,<span class="s6"> </span><br /> -Your most obedient humble servant,<span class="s3"> </span></p> - -<p>Mr. Alderman Wood. </p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Sidmouth.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><i>To the Right Honourable Viscount Sidmouth.</i></p> - -<p>My Lord,—I am honoured with your Lordship’s answer to my letter of -yesterday, respecting George Edwards, wherein you state, that “you -know of no ground which could justify you in issuing a warrant against -him.” I consider that those depositions which I left at your Lordship’s -office, contain such charges as would fully justify your Lordship in -apprehending George Edwards. Perhaps your Lordship’s objections are, -that they are not sworn; if so, I beg to inform you that the parties -were in attendance at your Lordship’s office, to give evidence, and -were ready to be sworn to their statements, and are now ready, at an -hour’s notice, to attend your Lordship. I have also other evidence to -produce.</p> - -<p>I remain, your Lordship’s most obedient humble servant,</p> - -<p>7, South Audley-street, May 4, 1820.</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">M. Wood.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><i>From Lord Sidmouth to Mr. Alderman Wood.</i></p> - -<p class="right">Whitehall, May 4, 1820.</p> - -<p>Sir,—I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day’s -date, in which I see no ground for altering the opinion communicated to -you in my former letters.</p> - -<p class="right">I have the honour to be, Sir,<span class="s6"> </span><br /> -Your most obedient humble servant,<span class="s3"> </span><br /> -<span class="smcap">Sidmouth.</span></p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5">[5]</a> The following account of a professional intercourse with -Edwards, who strove hard to convert it into a political connection, has -been published by Mr. Carlile. -</p> -<p> -“On my entering the house at 55, Fleet-street, I became the neighbour -of Edwards, who previously held the little shop which bears the No. -55½ as being part of 56. Edwards was no sooner aware that I had -taken 55, than he strenuously applied himself to become a tenant or -lodger of mine, before I had the least idea of letting any part of -the house. I had a strong dislike to his appearance, and particularly -the party whom he stated himself to be connected with, which were the -Spenceans, and consequently gave him no hopes that I should receive him -as lodger. -</p> - -<p class="center">* * * * * * - * * * *</p> - -<p> -He was in the habit of coming into the shop to purchase my pamphlets, -and I soon conceived the notion of having a figure of Paine modelled; -he expressed himself quite anxious for the job, and observed, that -from his admiration of the principles of Paine, he would be satisfied -with a small price for it. On my wishing to fix him to a price, he -proposed five pounds, which would just cover the expense he should -be at, without including his time or abilities: this was agreed on -immediately, and he was to proceed forthwith: this happened in the -latter part of February, or beginning of March. -</p> -<p> -“A few days after Mr. Edwards expressed a wish to have the money before -hand, and observed, that it was usual with modellers. I hesitated, -refused, and offered him one pound, which he accepted. A head, or bust, -was soon ready, and I gave him three guineas further, for the copyright -of it, but I could get him no further with the figure, (although I -had gone to the expense of the pedestal and other requisites for it,) -until the fall of the year, the whole of which time he appeared to be -in a state of abject poverty,—was obliged to give up his shop, and -was never to be found at home. I urged him, by continual messages, to -proceed with the figure, and, in the month of September, I got him to -finish it.” -</p> - -<p class="center">* * * * * * - * * * *</p> - -<p> -Edwards was paid for his figure before it was finished and set up, and -altogether considerably in addition to the first agreement. -</p> -<p> -“From this time he stuck very close to me, on one pretence and the -other; followed me twice to Blackheath, for the purpose of modelling -my likeness on his own account, which he completed in the King’s Bench -Prison, without any apparent object of making any thing of it. He -pleaded great poverty, and twice solicited the loan of money from me, -after the figure of Paine was finished and paid for; I as often refused -him, because his whole conduct had convinced me that he was both -dishonest and ill-disposed. I had never the smallest idea that he was a -spy, and as I know him to be in the habit of running after Thistlewood -and his party, I often asked him what project they had in view, as a -matter of joke. -</p> -<p> -“It was Edwards who informed me that the person who visited me in the -King’s Bench Prison, in company with Davidson, was a spy, and that it -was he who conveyed all the information to Lord Sidmouth and the Lord -Mayor. Edwards was the fourth person who entered the room while they -were there, and it struck me forcibly that there was a strange coolness -and distance between the three who had frequently met together before. -I had never for a moment suspected Edwards to be any thing further than -an idle, dissolute character.”</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6">[6]</a> Our limits will not admit the insertion of all the -depositions read by the worthy Alderman in support of his motion; we, -however, present our readers with copies of two of them, to shew the -course pursued by the infamous Edwards in entrapping his destined -victims, which was nearly the same in all cases.—The following is -Pickard’s deposition: -</p> -<p> -“George Pickard, 15, Hare-Street, Bethnal Green, says, I know Edwards. -I first saw him before the first Smithfield Meeting. I never much -associated with him, I considered him so much of a blackguard. I knew -his brother also, who was secretary to the Spencean Society. I met him -some time about July, at the White Lyon in Wych Street; there were two -or three others there. He knew me, better than I did him. He asked -me how I did, and said, ‘What a pity it is, Pickard, that we can’t -destroy these b—— vermin.’ A trifling conversation took place; at -last, ‘I’ll tell you what it is,’ said he, ‘any body can get into the -House of Commons with an order, nor does it require that they should go -clean. Suppose we have an iron case made in the shape of a book (for -any person is allowed to carry in a book,) and have some old gun or -pistol barrels, which may be got cheap, cut into pieces about three or -four inches long: let them be plugged up at each end with lead, and the -centre filled with powder, and a touch-hole made; half a dozen of cases -may be made full of them, for a similar number of men to take into the -House. One man might have a bottle of phosphorous, and a lighted match -might be taken with a piece of a rope, without giving any alarm to -the persons present, and applied to the fuse, which would communicate -with the contents of the cases—they should be thrown when the House -was full, from the gallery. The opportunity should be taken when some -important business was going forward. ‘What b——y destruction it would -make,’ said he, seemingly quite pleased, and laughing at the idea. -He next said, that Thistlewood would soon be out, and he was the boy -for doing business. When he comes, we will set all things to rights. -After some further talk, he drew out a grenade, saying, ‘What do you -think of this?’ ‘What do you call it?’ said I; ‘Oh, you are a d——d -fool, you know nothing;’ and then he told me it was a hand-grenade. He -asked me if I would make one of thirty or forty men for some desperate -purpose, which he did not explain; but such things he added, should -not be entered into without having a guard against the b——y police. -Upon which he drew forth a curious instrument from his waistcoat -pocket, and said, it might be put into a common walking cane by having -a hole bored in the bottom, and be instantly fit for use. I told him -I must know him better before I would have any thing to do with him. -He replied, that Thistlewood knew him well, and that that would be a -sufficient recommendation. I met Edwards and Thistlewood previous to -the Cato-Street business, on the Saturday. Thistlewood asked me various -questions respecting business, and after shaking hands he bid me good -day. Then Edwards turned quite round, and after looking for some -minutes, held his hand out to shake hands. I do not recollect the first -few sentences that passed, but on parting he said, ‘You b—— Pickard, -you must fight before long.’ On the following Monday two persons called -at my lodgings, when I was absent, and inquired for me. One of them -answered the description of Edwards. They left no message, but called -again on Tuesday, but I was away; I never heard of him since then. -Previous to the last time of my seeing Edwards I went to the Scotch -Arms, in Round-Court, Strand, and saw Adams and Edwards there. They -both talked about destroying the Ministers, and invited me to go to a -meeting, and Adams gave me a grenade, and Edwards gave me a small pike. -I told Whadman of the circumstance; he advised me to have nothing to -do with the business. Adams and Edwards called at my lodgings the day -before the Cato-street business, but I had left.”</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7">[7]</a> Chamber’s deposition, is as follows:— -</p> -<p> -“I, Thomas Chambers, say, that I am a bootmaker, residing at 3, -Heathcock Court, Strand, and have been in the employment of Mr. ——, -shoemaker, Tavistock-street, for seven years, and still continue -to work for him; that about five months ago I became acquainted -with George Edwards, by meeting him by accident at the White Lion, -Wych-street; that some time after he called upon me, at which I was -much surprised, not knowing much of him; he at the same time talked -about politics in a strange violent manner; he came to me again soon -after, and held the same sort of language, saying, ‘It was nonsense -talking, people must arm themselves.’ On Christmas Eve he again called -on me, with several persons, among whom were two Irishmen, who were -drunk, and whom I had never seen before. Edwards at this time had with -him an old cavalry sword which he kept under his coat, and also a -sword stick in his hand. He said to the Irishmen, ‘would not you wish -to have Castlereagh’s head to carry about on a pole, for the good he -has done your country.’ One of the Irishmen said, ‘He,’ meaning Lord -Castlereagh, ‘is a big rogue;’ on which Edwards said, ‘Here is what -will cut off his b—y head.’ One of the Irishmen said he would not -enter into any thing until he was sworn. Edwards then asked me for -a Bible to swear the man: I said, I will have no swearing here, and -being at work, and not liking their language and noise, I bid them to -leave my house, and they went away. Edwards called on me again about a -week after, much against my wish, and held forth, in violent language -about the government, and said, ‘that after the tyrants (meaning -ministers) were cut off, Hunt and Cobbett must go to pot.’ Finding I -did not like their language, he went away. About a fortnight before -the Cato-street business, Edwards called on me, and said to me, ‘the -tyrants must fall,’ and added, ‘all must come together armed, and you -must come with your sword and pistol, as I suppose you have got them.’ -I told him I had nothing of the kind: he then said that I should not -want for them. Some short time after this he came to my lodgings quite -down in spirits, and said he could not find any one to have courage to -join, and he had a great mind to cut his throat. A short time after -this Edwards came again with two men, and in good spirits, and said, -‘I suppose you will go with us, you know what I mean;’ I answered, I -do not; he said, ‘you are not such a fool, as not to know there is -something on foot, we mean to destroy ministers.’ I answered, that I -would not be in such a Despard’s business. He then clapped his hand on -the wall of the house, and said, ‘this is all lath and plaster, and -you shan’t be safe, we’ll blow you out of your bed.’ I did not see -Edwards after this till Monday, the 21st of February, when he came, in -company with a very tall man, who had a cast in his eye, and Edwards -had a large bag with him, which he requested me to allow him to leave -in my room. I asked him what it contained, he replied, ‘Oh! only a -few pistols, and such like.’ I instantly bid him take them away, that -I would have nothing to do with such things in my place. He urged me -very much to permit the bag to remain, but I would not. I again told -him I would on no account have any thing to do with such things, and -immediately made him take the bag away, assisted by the persons who -came with him. Since then I have seen nothing of Edwards.”</p> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8">[8]</a> See Mary Barker’s evidence on the Trials, pages 191, 277,315.</p> - -<div lang='en' xml:lang='en'> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK <span lang='' xml:lang=''>AN AUTHENTIC HISTORY OF THE CATO-STREET CONSPIRACY</span> ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. -</div> - -<div style='margin:0.83em 0; font-size:1.1em; text-align:center'>START: FULL LICENSE<br /> -<span style='font-size:smaller'>THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE<br /> -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK</span> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person -or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the -Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when -you share it without charge with others. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work -on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the -phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: -</div> - -<blockquote> - <div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most - other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions - whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms - of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online - at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you - are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws - of the country where you are located before using this eBook. - </div> -</blockquote> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg™ License. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format -other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain -Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -provided that: -</div> - -<div style='margin-left:0.7em;'> - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation.” - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ - works. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. - </div> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right -of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread -public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/donate/">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. -</div> - -</div> -</div> -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/67447-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/67447-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 61ef5f0..0000000 --- a/old/67447-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/67447-h/images/front.jpg b/old/67447-h/images/front.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index afa87ec..0000000 --- a/old/67447-h/images/front.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/67447-h/images/i000.jpg b/old/67447-h/images/i000.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 35139ce..0000000 --- a/old/67447-h/images/i000.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/67447-h/images/i010.jpg b/old/67447-h/images/i010.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 1861039..0000000 --- a/old/67447-h/images/i010.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/67447-h/images/i108.jpg b/old/67447-h/images/i108.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index b270d04..0000000 --- a/old/67447-h/images/i108.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/67447-h/images/i166.jpg b/old/67447-h/images/i166.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 7507126..0000000 --- a/old/67447-h/images/i166.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/67447-h/images/i324.jpg b/old/67447-h/images/i324.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 47e518d..0000000 --- a/old/67447-h/images/i324.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/67447-h/images/i338.jpg b/old/67447-h/images/i338.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index b328e57..0000000 --- a/old/67447-h/images/i338.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/67447-h/images/i378.jpg b/old/67447-h/images/i378.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index edb41bf..0000000 --- a/old/67447-h/images/i378.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/67447-h/images/i384.jpg b/old/67447-h/images/i384.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index ce7de1f..0000000 --- a/old/67447-h/images/i384.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/67447-h/images/illo.jpg b/old/67447-h/images/illo.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 963e94c..0000000 --- a/old/67447-h/images/illo.jpg +++ /dev/null |
