DA 948.6 E5R4 - UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES EPO Of THE TRIAL OF ROBERT EMMET, WILLIAM 1UDGEWAY, AT LAW. x o >f V X R R A T A. : 12, line la, f or confpiring rtaJ confpiracjr. 14, line 14, for would r?fl(/ could. 17, dele and read condition. "We. 15, line 12, dele ed in founded. 16, laft line, for He read We; 45, line 7, from bottom after he, iitfert who. 31, line u, for in reaJ at, 33, line 4, after and a^lrfto your Country. 72, laft line but one for aflcAble read aficwblz* ^ 218415 -; a i . A T* -n r\ T> T* E P O R 1 OF THE POC/A T G . ffc'orn , IN Cafcj9f of iptgb Crcafom -,.,, M ? '. M II - . ' : ~ ' SPECIAL COMMISSION. ' ^ . Mcnda^ Srp^er tgti, 1803. The Court fat purfaant to Adjournmenf. fudges prcfent: LorJNoRBURV, Ilir. Baron GEORGE, r.nd Mr. Baron DALY. , Robert Emtoietj Efq. was put upon his trial. H. E had been brought into Court upon tfie 7th of thi$ month, and then informed, that a Bill of Indi&m'ent for High Treafon was fpund againft him, and he was defired to name his Counfel and Agent, which he did but To me Alterations afterwards took place at his own defire, and the Counfel and Agent ultimately affigncd, were Mr. BUR* HOWES and 'Mr. MAC NALLY, Counfel ; and Mr. L. MacNally, Agent. B On, On Jfadnefday the 1 5th he was arraigned on the following Indictment : County of the C : ty of 1 THE Jurors for cur Lord the Dublin^ to wit. \ King, upon their oath prefer.t, that Robert Ernmet^ late of Thomas-ftreet^ in the city and County of the city of Dublin, Efq. being a fubjecl of our faid Lord the now King, not having t*ie fea? of God in his heart, nor weighing the duty of his allegiance, but be- ing moved and feduced by the inftigation of the Devil, as a falfe traitor againft our faid Lord the now King, his fu- preme, true, lawful and undoubted Lord, the cordial love and true and due obedience which every true and dutiful fubjecl of our faid Sovereign Lord the King, towards him our faid Lord the King fhould bear, wholly with- drawing, and contriving and intending the peace anJ common tranquillity of this Kingdom to difquiet, moleft and difturb, and the Government and Conftitution of this realm to change, fubvert and alter, and our faid Lord the King from the Royal (late, title, honour, power, Im- perial crown and Government of this kingdom to depofe and deprive, and our faid Lord the prefent King to death and final deftru&ion to bring and pur, he the faid Robert Emmet) on the twenty-third day of July, in the forty-thud year of the reign of our faid Lord the King, at Thomas- jireet aforefaid, in the city and county of the city of Dublin aforefaid, with force and arms, falfely, wickedly and traitoroufly did compafs, imagine and intend, our faid Lord the King then and there his fupreme, true, and law- ful Lord, of and from the Royal ftate, crown, title, power and government of this realm to depofe and wholly de- prive, and our faid Lord the King to kill and bring and put to death. And that to fulfil, perfect and bring to cftecl his mod evil and wicked treafon and treafonable ima- ginations, and compafling aforefaid, He the faid Robert Emmet, as fuch falfe traitor as aforefaid, on the faid twenty-third day of July, in the forty-third year of the feign of our faid Lord the King, at Thomas flreet afore- faid, in the city and county of the city of Dublin afore- faid, with force and arms, falfely, malicioufly and traito- roufly did meer, confult, combine, confpire, confederate and a^ree to and with divers other falfe traitors \vhofe names are to the Jurors aforefaid unknown, to raife, levy and make a' public and cruel infurredtion, rebellion anl war a, ( 3 ) war againft our faid fovereign Lord the King, within thU kingdom, and to procure great quantities of arms and. ammunition, guns, fwords piftols, gunpowder and (hot for the purpofe of faid rebellion, and to alter, fubvert and overturn the Conftitution of this kingdom, and the Government of our faid Lord the King, of and in this Realm. And that afterwards, to wit, on the faid twenty^third day of July, in the faid forty-third year of the reign of our faid Lord the King, with force and arms, at Thomas.-ftre.et aforefaid, in the city and county of the city of Dublin aforefaid, the faid Robert Emmet, as fuch falfe traitor as aforefaid, in further profecution of his treafon and trea- fonable purpofes zforefaid, falfely, malicioufly and t-raito- roufly did procure great quantities of arms and ammuni- tion, guns, fwords, piftols, gunpowder and (hot, and did then and there falfely, malicioufly and traitorously make and prepare, and did caufe and procure to be made and prepared, a great number, to wit, 1000 pikes, with intent that divers other falfe traitors, whole names are to the faid Jurors unknown, (hould be armed with the faid guns, fwords, piltojs and pikes, and being fo armed Ihould ufe the fame, and the gunpowder, (hot and ammunition aforefaid in and fur the railing, making and carrying on infurre&ion, rebellion and war againft our faid Lord the King, and in and for the committing and perpetrating a cruel flaugirer of, and amongft the faithful fubjedts of our (aid Lord the King in this kingdom. And that afterwards, to wit, on the faid twentyrihird day of July, in the faid forty-third year of the reign of our faid Lord ths King, with force and arms, at Thy/nas- Jlreet aforefaid, in the city and county of the cuy of Dublin aforefaid, the faid Robert Emmtt, as fuch falfe traitor as aforefaid, in further profecution of his treafon and treafonable purpofes aforefaid, falfely, wickedly and traitorouflv did afFociate himfelf with and did become one of a certain fociety of perfons, then and there formed and aflbciated, under the name of the Frovifional Govern- ment, for the purpofe of raifmg, levying and making public war againft our faid Lord the King, within this realm, and of altering, fubverting and overturning the Conftitution of this rea m, and the Government of our faid Lord the King, of and in this kingdom, the faid Robert Emmet, then and there well knowing the p.urpofes fo$, which . which the faid Society was fo formed and a/TvcLtco as aforefaid. And that afterward?, to wit, on the faid twenty-third day of '7/x, in the forty-ihird year of the reign of our faid Lord the King, with force and arms at Thi!mn~Jtree( atore&id, in the city and county of the < ity of Dubli:: afnre- faid, the (aid Robert Emmet, as fuch falfe traitor as afortfa'u 1 , in further pmfecution of his trealbn and trealbnabl'- purpcfi.s aforefaid, falfdy, wickedly, and traitoroufly diJ make, corr.pofe and write ' a certain proclamation, rnanifetlo awl declaration, purporting to be a proclamation, rnanifefto and declaration of and by the faid Prcrjifanal Government) and purporting among other thing?, that the. laid Prtvij:v:-;! Government had determined to feparate that part of this kingdom called Ireland-, from that part of this kin;; called Englund) and for that purpofe to rrii'.ke, levy, ^nd Wage open and public war, againlt our faiJ Lord ti , kin-; and his troops within this rcilm, with ir.:< nr th. - pn.clamation, manikfte, and declaration liquid l-e pub- lifhed as and for the pruclamation, manifeiu>, and declara- tion of the f.iid Prffiifoagi Gsvef K.'.'ier.t, and that it ihouri be f;: read amongil the people of this kir ul i incite them to enter into and continue in r.bdll^Hfcji war againft-our faid 1 ord the King. And that afterwards, to wit, on the faid t\ day of 'jf-u-Ji m the fatd forty-third year of the rei faid Lord the King, with force and arms at aforefaid, in the city and county of the city of Dublin faid, the faid Robert Hmmct as fuch falfe traitor as afortui ! , in further prolecution of his treafon and treafonable pur- pofes afo.-efnij, falfcly, wickedly and traitoroufly did make, compel and write a certain proclamation, manifefto, anJ declaration, purporting to be a proclamation, mamfeilo, and declaration of and by divers perfons ty file jurors uitknown, then and there formed and aflociatcd together, under the name of the Provifu-inal Government, and im- porting that the faid perfons fo formed and sfiociated had determined to feparate that part of this ki^'dum called Irelar.d^ from that part of this kingdom called I<*'a/!fJ) and for that purpofe to raife levy and wage a public war againlt our faid Lord the King within this kingdom, with intent that the faid proclamation, manifefto, ami declaration fhould be publifhed, as and for the proclamation, mani- fefto and declaration of the faid perfons fo formed and aflbciate'4 ( 5 ) jj,r>C;iatci this king-lorn, and ih' uld unite them to emer into and continue in rebellion and v/ar againft our Lid Lord the King, And that afterwards, to win, on the feid twenty-third day of 7/< v, in the kid forty-third year of the reign of our fai j Lor-i the Kir;;, with force and arms at Tlcmai-Jlreet sforvf.iid, in the cay and county of the city of Dublin afore- fcid, the laid Robtrt Emmet as luch falfe traitor as aforsfaid, in f'j;i.i.-r p.'ofecu'ion of his rreal'mi and treafbnable purpofes as afordaic 1 , falfJy, wickedly and'traitornufly did keep and conceal) and cid cuute ariJ procure to be kept and concealed ;* C'.rtciiii prccktmation, nunifello and declaration, purport- ing to be a proclamation, manifefto and declaration of, and by divers pcrfons to the jurors unknown, then and there formed and aflb-Jau-d together, under the name of the Pro- vidonal Gov ernaieijc, and importing that the fajd p^rfons fj forced and aflociafed, had detennined to feparate that part rf tius kjhgdoin called Ireland^ from that part of this kingdom cjllfid England^ and for that purpofe toraife, levy at-c ".-age ;i public war againlt our faid Lord the King within this kingdom, with intent that the faid proclamation, nunilVitn am! Declaration fhould be publiflied, as and for the proclamation, inanif-lto and declaration of the faid P..T.'' "i i- A) f(.i;i.-d and aflbciated, and that it fliould b; fp.v..v! amongi'c the people of this kingdom, and IhouM incite tiu-m to enter into and continue in rebellion an.d war agamfl our laid Lord tlie King. And that afterwards, to wit, on the faid twenty-third day c/f 7"6'i M1 tnc forty- third year of the reign of our laid Lord the King* witn force and arms, at Thomas-flreet aforcfaid in the city and county of the city of Dublin afbrefaid, the faid Robert Emmet as fuch falfe traitor as aforefaid, i:i further prufecution of his treafon and treafon- able purposes aforefaid, with a great multitude of perfonF, whole names are to the faid jurors unknown, to wit, to the number of one hundred perfons and upwards, armed and arrayed in a warliki manner, to wit, with guns, fvyord?, and pikes, being then and there unlawfully and traitoroufly afTembled and gathered againft our faid Lord the King, fallely, wickedly and traitoroufly, did prepare, levy, ordain and make public war againft our (aid Lord the King, againft the duty of the allegiance of him the faid Robert againft the peace of our Lord the King, his crown and ( 6 ) and Dignity, and contrary to the form of the ftatute in fuch cafe made and provided. And the jurors aforefaid, upon their oath aforefaid, further hitherto by land and by fca, was and yet is carried on and profccuted by the perfons exercifing the powers of government in France, againft cur faid Lord the King, ar.d that the faid Robert Emmet, a fubjcct of our faid Lord the King, well knowing the premifes, not having the fear cf God in his heart, nor weighing the duty of his alle- giance, but being moved and fcduced by the inftigation cf the devil, as a falfe traitor againft our faid Lord the King, his fupreme, true, lawful and undoubted Lord, and contriving and with all his ftrength intending the peace and common tranquillity of this kingdom to difquiet, moleft and difturb, and the government of our faid Lord the King, of this kingdom to change, fubvert and alter, he the Li4 Robert Emmet, during the war aforefaid, to wit, on the faid twenty-third day of July, in the forty-third year of the reign of our faid Lord the King, and on divers other days and times, as well before as after that day, with force and arms, at Tkomas-ftreet aforefaid, in tire city and county of the city of Dublin aforefaid, unlawfully and trai- tcrouily was adhering to and aiding and comforting the faid peifon? exercifing the powers of government in France^ and then being enemies of our faid Lord the King, as afore- faid, and that in profecution, performance, and execution of the faid traitorous adhering of the faid Robert Emmet y to the faid perfons exercifing the powers of government in Fravcey afterwards and during the continuance of the fkid war, to wi", on the faid twenty-third day of T^'/y, in the faid forty-third year of the r^ign of our faid Lord trie King, at Thomas -Jlreet aforefaid, in the city and county of the city of Dublin^ he the faid Robert Emimt, as fuch fa'fe traitor as aforefaid, with force and arms, falfely, malicioufly and traitoroufly did meet, confult, combine, confpirt, confe- derate and agree, to and with divers other falfe traitors, whofe names are to the jurors aforefaid unknown, to raife, levy and make a public and cruel infurre&ior, rebellion, and war againft our faid fovereign Lord the King, within this kingdom, and to alter, fubvert and overturn the con* ftittrtion ( 7 ) ' ^b !* ftitution of this kingdom, and the government of our Lord the King, of and in this realm. And that afterwards, to wit, on the faid 231! day o in the faid forty-third year of the reign of our faid Lord the King, with force and arms, zx. c fbomas-Jlreet aforefaidjin ths city and county of the city of Dublin aforefaid, the faid Robert Emmet, as fuch falfe traitor as aforefaid, in further profecution of his treafon and treafonable purpofes lad mentioned, falfely, malicioufly and traitorouily did make and prepare, and did caufe and procure to be made and prepared, a great nnmber, to wit, one thoufand pikes* with intent that divers other falfe traftors, whofe names are to the faid Jurors unknown, moukf be armed with the faid pikes, and being fo armed, fhould ufe the fame in ami for the railing and carrying on infurre<5r.ion, rebellion and war againft our faid Lord the King, and did then and there procure great quantities of arms and ammunition, gun^ piftols, fwords, pikes, gun-powder and (hot, for the pur^ pole of the faid infurredtson, rebellion and war. And that afterwards, to wit, on the faid twenty-tbirJ day of y/y, in the faid forty-third year of the reign of our faid Lord the King, with force and arms, at Thomai- ftreet aforefaid, in the city and county of the city of Dub- lin aforefaid, the faid Robert Emmet, as fuch falfe traitor as aforefeid, in further profecution of his treafcn and treafonable purpofcs laft mentioned, folfely, wickecly, aai. traitoroufly did aflbciate himfelf with, and did become one of a certain fociety of perfons, then and there forme J and aflbciated under ths name of* the Proviiional Govern- ment, for the purpofe of raifmg, levying, and makir,^ public war againft our faid Lard the King within this realm, and of altering, fubverting, and overturning th-i conftitution of this realm, and the government of our faid Lord the King, of and in this Kingdom, the fa'ul Robert Emmet, then and there well knowing the purpofes for which the laid ibciety was formed and afTociated as aforefaid. And that afterward?, to wit, on the faid twenty- third day of July, in the faid forty-third year of the reign of our faid Lord tne Ki;;^, with force and arms, at 7/;. Jlreet aforefaid, in the dry and county of the city of / tin aforefaid, the faid Robert E;:iwct, as fjch fiifc ti as aforefeid, in furt 1 ::;ori of !. : : eifon aid trraforuwe f * ) ' treafonable purpofes bit mentioned", fall. iriiitoroufly eld make,- compofe, and write a certain pro- clamation, manifefto and declaration, purporting to be a proclamation of and by the faid Provifional Government, nnd purporting, amontift other things, that the faid Pro- viiional Government had determined to feparate that part of this kingdom called Ireland) from that part of t!/ kingdom tailed England, and for that purpofe to make levy and wage open and public war aga'inft our faid Lord fhe King, and his troops, within this realm, wi'th intent that the faid proclamation, rnaft1fe{lo, and declaration ihotild be publifhcd a and for th'e proclamation, manifefto and declaration uf the faid Provifional Government, and Should be (pread amongft the people of this kingdom, and fhould incite them to enter into and continue in rebellion and war againft ouT faid Lord the K'ing. And that afterwards, to wit, on the faid fwcnty-thir^ day of Juty) in the faid forty-third yeaV of the reign of our faid Lord the King, with force and arms, at Thomas* Jircet aforefaid, in the city and county of the city of Dnb'!':n aforefaid, the faid Robert Emmet , as fuch falfe traitor as aforefatd, in further profccution of his treafon and trea- fonable purpofes laft mentioned, falfely, wickedly and traitoroufly did make, compofe anti write a certain 1 procla- mation, manifefto and declaration, purporting to be a proclamation, manifefto and declaration of and by divert perfons to the Jurors unknown, and then and there formed and afibciated together under the name of the Provihonii! Government, and importing that the fame perfons fo formed and afibciated, had determined to feparate that par! 1 of this kingdom called lre!and y from that part of this kingdom called England,' and for that purpofe to raifc, levy and wage a public war againft our faid Lord the king, within this kingdom, with intent that the faid pro- clamation, manifefto and declaration fhould be putxl'fhed as and for the proclamation, manifefto and declaration of the C'.id perfons fo ft;r;ned. and afiociat'ed, and that' it fnould be fpread amcngft the pecple of this kingdom, and (hould incite them to enter into and continue in re- bellion and war r.gainft our faid Lord the King. And that afterwards, to wit, on the faid twenty- third day of Jiffy, in the faid forty-third year of the reign of our faid t:ie Kin ( 9 ) - ' ing, with farce, and arms at Thsmjs-Jirtet aforefaid, in the city and county of the city of Dublin afore- iaid, the laid Robert Emmet as fuch falfe traitor aforefaid, in further profecution of his treafon and treafonable purpofes lad mentioned, falfely, wickedly and traitoroufly did keep nnd conceal, and did caufe and procure to be kept and con- cealed, a certain proclamation, manifefto and declaration, purporting to be a proclamation, manifefto and declaration of and by divers pcrlbns. to the Jurors unknown, then and there fprrqed and afibciatcd together under the name of the Provifiona! Government, and importing that the (aid per- fons fo fanned and afiwciated had determined to feparatethat part of thir kingdom called {.Ireland from that part of this kingdom called England, and for tha'jt purpofe to rsifc, levy nnd wage a public war a^ainft pur faid Lord the King within this kingdom, with interit that the fa id proclamation* maiufefto and declaration, fhould be published as and for he proclamation, manifefto and declaration of ,the. faid perfons (o formed and affociated, and that it (hould be fpread :.mongll the people of this kingdom, and (hould incite them to enter into and continue in rebellion and war againft our faid Lord th? K ; ng. And that afterwards, to, wit, on the faid twenty-third day of Jnfy> in the forty-third year of the reign of our laid f,ord the Kir.;;, with force and arms at TboTr.as flreet afor,e- '-lid, the faid Robert Emmet, as faid falfe traitor as aforefaid, \\ further profecation of his treafon and treafonab!^ pur* 5 laft mcntiuned,. with a great multitude of perfons ,'hcfe names are to the faid Jurors unknown, to wit* to the r.nmber of one hundred perfons and upwards, armed an not require any observation upon them. But the Hrft docs admit of fom'e technical confideration, and mzy require upon my p irt a fhort expbr.a;ion In the language of the law, comparting the death of the King, does not mean or imply neceflarily any immediate attack upon' his perfon. But any cohfpiring, which has for its objecl an' alteration of the laws, conftitution and government of the country by force, uniformly leads to anarchy and general deftruclion, and finally tends to en- danger the life of the King. And therefore where trut defign is fubft^ntiated and -manife'fted by overt acts, whenever the parry entertaining the defign ufes'any means to carry his traitorous intentions into execution, the crime of comparing an'd imagining the death of the King is complete^ Accordingly, gentlemen, this indictment particularly ffotcs feveral overt ats by which the prifoncr difcloft.d the traitorous imagination of his heart. And, gentlemen, if it fliall be neceffury, thofe particular overt acts, and : the applicability of the evidence which will be produced to fupport them, will be ftated at large to ybu by the Court;' and therefore it will not be neceffary for me now to tref- pafs upon the public 'time, by a minute -examination of Gentlemen, having heard the charge againft the pri- foner, you will naturally feel that your duty will require an inveftigation into two diftinct points : //'/>'?, " \Vhetiier thert has, or has not exifted a traitorous confpir-jy and rebellion for the purpofe of altering the Law, the Confti- tution and the Government of the Country by force?" And, Secondly^ " Whether the prifoner has in any and what degree participated in that confpiracy and re- bellion ?" Gentlemen, I was happy upon the opening of this Commiflion to have ftated : to the public, through the Jury which I had the honor to addrefs, that this rcbJljon, dark as it was in its object, and mifchievous in its defign,- 1 ..... was ( 13 ) was in truth in point of numbers, contemptible in tl\? extreme, and that it was prepared and put forward by thofe only, who had be?n diftinguiihcd for their former trcafons. i am happy to liate now, with more confi- dence, that during the inveftigation which has taken place here, what 1 then ftated has turned out to be precifely the faffets of beneficial laws. Of the juM adinimftration of them there is no colour of complaint. L-ut this rebellion is to arife from the afhes of cur anceflors, and we are called upon to relinquiih our own happiness to vindicate their wrongs they are repre- fepted to have been flavcs, and therefore we are called upon not to }ive contented as freemen. But as there is no motive for rebellion i)ow, neither can it bf conciliated hereafter. The manifofto of ttcafon wages:' eternal war sgainft the Britifh constitution the rcfentlment of its enemies is implacable their refolution is fixeii and deter- mined no k-indnefs fhall footh them no goodydminiftra- tion fhall reconcile them no clemency fhall aflyage thetn. Rebels they are, at heart, and againft the mildeft admini- flration of our government, they proclaim a perpetual and unrelenting hoftility. Gentlemen, it maybe here fuppofed, that I am from the warmth of my own feelings, giving a colour to the caufe which it docs not defcrve. 1 fhould be forry to do it. But in the very firft paragraph of their proclamation, after avowing a feparation from England, they tell the govern- ment, u that there is a fpirit of perfeverance in the country " beyond their power to calculate or reprefs," " that under tc no change of circurnltanccs can they count upon the ns hid not proceeded far^ whe.:*, for his fccurity,' he found it neccff/ry to change his reuderice and hi^ nan-'- Accordingly, we find ivim in an obfcure hoiife in HaroL?:- (reji) during the fprJng of the year There he affumed the name of fffzwtt, ar.d was vifited by perfotis who en- quired for him by that name white he continued ther, he went by no. other. Thu<5, [ am inflrvrded to tell you, he proceeded clandeftinety, and under an afiumed naTie, for a conOderable period ot time, not paffing much ef ic within doors at Harold' s~trvf>> but ading that pare which was adapted to his views Ther he continued until early in Marcb.A , nicyicd Gentlemen^ you all feccHccl the King's meflVc to the Houfe of Commons, from which it was to be~col- Iffded that a rupture would probably take place between this United Kingdom and Frar.ce\ that was early in March- That 'circumftance was a very cortfiderablc ftimulative indeed, to the trcafon which had been hereto- fore ftt on foot n this country y find accordingly, upon the 24th of the fame monih, that memorable depot, of which " ft^r. v f-jv3 .j\>f.?q C 16 ) which you have ail heard fo much, was taken by the , fpirators; the leafe of it is dared the 24^ of Mircb, t8o}. About the fame period there were various other d.epor dlabliflied in the city to receive arms and ammunition, and famong others, one, which h necefUry to be rr.entiorecl, in. Patrick-jlreet, where you recollect an efcplolk>!i took pi ;cr in the month of July. Having thus embarked pretty deeply and hired f houfes in the city for the purpofe of carrying on the treafon, the Prifoner found, that his refidence in Pa'wr's houfe i;i Hargld's-crc/i was incompatible with the enlarged fphcrc r.i" action in which he was engaged, and he removed to a houfe in the vicinity of Rathfarfiham^ in a place callu' Buticrfield-lane, for this houfe he paid a fi.ie of 61 guineas- on the 27th of April he got pofleffiort of it, and the leafe \v.r executed upon the icth of Taw. He took that leafe UrnK-r the name of " Robert Etlis" he made the agreement, paid the fine, and figned the leafes with the farhe name ; and it any collateral circumftanceswere wanting to induce fufpicion upon this tranfa<5tion; I am to ftate, tnat one of the wir- neffes to the leafe was a gentleman of the name of John Dowdall) a perfonage of much treafonable celebrity. Ho too like his companion did not always bear his own name,' (and indeed I admit he might have readily changed it for n better.) But the Attorney who carried out the leafes ! pened to be a countryman of DowdaWs and perfectly \T. to him. When Dnvdall faw him, it occurred to him thi't the name of Frazer^ which was the name he aflumed, wpuM not anfwer upon that occafion^ and therefore he atte dence in the City of Dublin Gentlemen, I impute to the Prifoner that immediately- after this explofion, he not only came into town for tiie purpofe of forwarding the rebellion, but that he made that celebrated dcpoi which was afterwards difcvered, the place of his refidence and his reft. I trace him to that dt/ift, as F would trace any of you to your houfes you will find him there the reader of the fam ly fuperintend~ ing the formation of pikes and ball cartridges infpe^ng the ammunition infpecling the arms occalionally writing at his dclk once, 1 think, taking out the original ma- nufcript from which the proclamation wa.-. afterwards printed and reading it to the Rebel Guards, which ur- roundcJ him at another time in a playful and iportive mood taking his regimentals from. Ivb dclk putting rhem on and telling hi*JNniiv5ng audience v, hat mighty ieats ^e intended to perform in them ; and h; fiiort, you will h ( 13 ) him in this depot what he expecled to be in the count-ry $t large the atirjg manager, making every thing his own, and every peifon obeying his dirtclions. Gentlemen, it will appear to you, that there was in that depot, a mattrafs, upon which we fuppofe that he occa- fionaHy flept; 'if indeed, under fuch circumllancts, it is not going a little too far to fuppofe, that anv man could fleep his mind muft have been of mere than ordinary temperature, if his (lumbers were not a little dillurbed. Surrounded, as he was, with the imp'emenis of drain, prepared and colle&ed^ by himfdf for the purpof t s of civil war, and the dtftui&ion of h:s fellow-citizens, he coo'.d not eafily enjoy foft natural repcfe If he did, it have been pioduced by that wearying pctuthation of mmnal!\ attribute to the prifoner) to give you a better defcription than my o^n cf that difturbed and infatuated mind, which throws itfcff down the prtcipice, unconfcious of its ruin. It is inimi- tably defcriptive of that infatuated (late of mine 4 , which un- fortunately for him, and unfortunately for mankind, has .produced fo much modrn mifchief fpeaking of himfd r . /He fays *' I have little time to look at the thouund diffi- ** cultics which (till lie between me and the completion of " my wifhes that thofe difficulties will l:kewife 'iifappear *' I have ardent and I trull rational hopes, but if it is ** not to be the cafe, 1 thank God for having gif;ni me with ** a fonguine difpofition ; to that difpofuionl run funn re- te flc&ion, and if my hopes are without foundation, if a ?' precipice is opening under my ftt, from which duty ff wiif not fuiSsr me to lun back, I am 'grateful for that *' far>gu;ne ( 19. ) lut:pn. Bur let me call upon the fober underftand- ings of thofe who never felt its operations, and afk why t.hey participate in its madnefs ? Can the deluded peafantry br brought to join in wild projects, without feeling the impulfe vi hich gave them birth can tjicy iiflen to the voice of a man who avows, that he ars not from the dictates of Ttafon or reflection, but who Hies from both, to the de~ In flops of fancy, nor luifers the delicious dream to evapo- rate, until the unhappy viclimis relieved from his difturbed imagination, and finks into eternal reft ? Do they mean to unite their fortunes to. his, or do they not.rather imagine, when they hear of " 7 he Provi/lcnai GwemmeM" that it is compofed of .wifdom, caution and prudence ? they little know, that it is a compofition of heated minds, and difor- dered paftions, which fuperfede the judgment, and annihi- late the undcrfianding. If ihey doubt the facf, I requeft tFiey may take it from the CONSPIRATOR himfelf. Let them liften to his voice, if not to mine, and let them learn to withdraw from that precipice, the peril of which is not within their calculation, when they embark in his defigns. Gentlemen, to the fame unhappy feelings is to be attri- buted the conduct of the Prifoner 'upon the day of the at- tack. I find him in the morning vaunting of his powers 'and promiling victory- I find him in idle exclamations, declaring, that " he will make the Caflle tremble that night ! w I trace him to the depot and there I find him haranguing his men encouraging them to aclion infpe6l- ing his ammunition anew arming himfelV and dreifing in his regimentals 1 find him cloathed in green, affuming the rank and title of GENERAL I find upon one fide of him, the fame William Dcwdall, as his Lieutenant General, and upon tfce other fide a man of no fuperior diftin6Hon, one Slaffttrdi a baker. I am unwilling to mention any names . but thofe which of neceffity muft appear in the profecution of this enquiry and one great objecr, while enquiry is afloat, is not to bring forward rfiore than muQ neceflarily appear C 20 ) upon the particular indictment before you. A fur the; diicioiure wcuid not only be unnecefTary, but anjcfi: Another of his Lieutenant denerals v bom I may meniion was Michael ^uigley, formerly an eminent b'.kklayer, and who had been lent to travel for life under 'Lhe Bani/?imet Afl. Of three perfons, you fee, that one was a man whole former conduct had been pafl'ed over, and who was not ex- cluded from a refidence in this country another was a man fent into temporary banifhment, and who after a flight purgation at Fort Geiige was permitted to return and the third, who had been transported for his treafons, forfeited his lite by the very a& of returning amongft us. So that when I give this glance of the Prcvifivr.al Government, I am happy again to obferve, that 1 find no new talent, no new property, no new character embarked in this con- fpiracy; and if the people of Ireland, who are not in'eu Jible so the influence of rank and character, could but take one glance of the precious materials of which this Prmn- flonal Government is foimed, I think it would forever cure them of revolutionary fpeculations. Gentlemen, I do not wifh to give any defcriptron of the Prifoner. Let him be fpoken of by others I wifh not, i:i his prcfent unfortunate circum fiances, to fay any thing that Could appear to depreciate his fltuation, but from his vears, he v?as not calculated to become the key-done of fuch an arch the head of this confpiracy. The feCond b a man who was originally known to you as Secretary to the \Vhig- club, who afterwards refided at Fort George, and who has latterly been an itinerant clerk with little lawful occupation. The third had been banifhed by A& of Par- liament for Treafon, and the fourth had been a baker in Thomas ftrcti. Thcfe were the principal confpirators, and General officers upon that memorable night, and I do re- t>eat it, that if the de!uded people of Ireland would take a glance beh : mi the f ene and difcover this highly vatmted "'Prevt/ioSin! Government ? fitting Dpon the fecond floor of a ma't h u!e, meditating without means, and marfhal- ling armie.-> that rhey had never enlifted, if they could fee the prifoner, the prime leader of this all powerful autho- rity, and his immediate fupporters, compofed of clerks, bankrupts and nechanics, and thofe again forrour.ded by~ 50 or 60 perfons ciftinguii^ed only for their crimes; I fay, they would form a very different notion of that ** Might j Confute f*l with whole foitun they have united, KQM I 21 ; from that which perhaps they have been for a moment feduccd to entertain. But the appointed hour arrives the prifoner puts him- felf at the head of his motley Banditti the party at this time amounts not to 1 00 men, but there is an expecta- tion of numerous recruits arriving from the country, they* are expeted to approach through every avenue. He marches out with his piftols on either fide, and his fword glittering in the air the implements of death are diftri- buted amongft his crew. -He leads them into Thomas- Jireet) and even there this migruy army does not amount to as many men as have fmce attended the execution cf any of thtfe unfortunate perfons. The people took a' moment for reflection - they faw the mifery to which they' were devoting the country, and the immediate deftru&iou in which they were involving themfelves, they refufed to afTemble at the call of this (elf-created government, and when the moment of attack arrived after eight months premeditation, there was to be feen a General without an army Colonels without regiments Captains without companies. They had counted recruits upon paper, they had prepared ammunition, they had Itored up arms and ' had every necelury ingredient for rebellion, but men. I am happ; to dwell upon every circumftarice that can contribute to ihew the returning good fenfe of the people. Their manner of reafonirrg upon the fubjecl may have been very fimple and conclude: u Shall we enlift in the Rebel Army - without bounty (hall we ferve in it without fay {hall we incur the rifle of being kllUd in the battle and the itill greater danger of being hanged^ if we fur- vive." Arguing thus they find, that his Majefty's is a more honourable, a- more fecure and a more profitable fervice. When they with to join his ranks they are paid bounty upon enliltmg, they receive pay white they ferve, they (hare an honourable danger in the field of battle, and the fur v Ivors live to the thanks and the gratitude of their country I he loyal foU'ier feels not like the rebel, whofe worft fears arife when the danger of the battle is over, when- the fword is removed from his view, the ftill more formidable halter fwims before his eyei;, and haunts him with a terrific vengeance better adapted to his guik. Upon this fatal evening, the infatuated few, who compofed the mob, came forward only to fly, and that rebellion, which was to have taken the Caftle annihilated the Govern- ' f *2 ) Government' and dethroned the King, fled prec ; in every direction, and I am at a lofs to fay whether the General led the way, or became a follower in the flight. What part did the Prtfoner take in that remarkable tranf- action, after we left him in Thomas-flreet at the head of his paltry band, I am not inftrudted to detail-. The pu-f;!! inous cruelty of his rabble, though itfhrunk from combnr, in- dulged itfelf in the indifcriminate mafThcre or" the tinoffirnd- ing and unprotected. -He either continued with them' \ participated in their crime?, or what is perhaps a more charitable conjecture, he retired to fome other malr w; houfe to receive in council the keys of his M^ijef'y's Cal'tlr, or pofilbly his understanding returned when it was tool. and finding at length the refult cf bis boailcd effort to accomplifti the revolution, he and his brother gem: fled. But without purfuing them further in their progrcfs, lor a minute I will call your attention i a the depot wr,. he abandoned and the papers which were found in it { fball not harafs your feelings or (Jiftrefs my own by ftating the atrocities of the night excefles were commrtted, whicn cifgraced the capital. It is unneceMary and painful fvdvvdi upon them. This famous arfenal of treafon fo ftrongly garrifoneJ at an early part of the evening an he accordingly addrefled a paper to government, which ( 29 ) which begins with the words, " It may appear ftrangte