The National Register.
London, England, 1817-06-16 00:00:00

ft

Nn. 488.—VOL. X.

HIM TREASON.

KING'S IIENCH, WESMINSTER.

FIRMT DAY, Monn.ty, June 9.

TM. morning the trials for High Treason commenced—and,
t tires ions ortasitigi, do we recollect the pnblic cariosity to
Lase beer m, strongly twitetl. At an early hour in the morn-
-14.1. great numbers of persons asseinitled in the sielrghtsone.
toad of Westminster-Hill, anxious if they could not procure
a sent in the Li.ort. to lint e, at least, n view of the prisoners
as they proceeded to the tribunal befure which they were to
be tried.

On Sanirday morning, Thistlewood and Watson were visit-
ell in the 'rower by their Cuunsel, Mr. Wetherell; awl on the
sum day. Preston and blooper had an interview with their
legal advisers, parade, Mr. Edward Lewes, and Mr. Rigby
for the tinnier, and M. 0.. Hnlt and Mr . Starkey, for the litter.
Fin Sunday Mr. Watmof was visited by his two brothers and
three of his daughters, who seemed rieeply affected at his
altnation. Thistlewood, at the same time. saw his wife and
son (the latter about ten years of age), and Presto's bis two
daughters.
About seven o'clock Thistiewnoil, as is usual, was allowed
to take the air on the leads of his prison room while there,
attended by two yeomen, a crowd of persons assembled on
Tower-hill and sainted him; he immediately took off his bat
and mimic several low bows, and was advancing towel ds the
parapet, wlo •he was withdrawn by his etterdti This eir-
esunsiattee woe rise to a report, that it was his intention to
have thrown himself off. • I or this supposition. however,
there does not seem to have been-any jut Emendation.
11se prisoners have not been to bold any intercourse
together since their Ceafinement, except through the medium
of their Solicitor; and, np to a late hour on Sundae night,
were in excellent spirits, anticipating, as they said, an honour-
able acquittal.
Thistlewood, on being apprehended, was deprived of all
his wardrobe, and complains of being without a change of
dress. Oa this account, he determined to appear in Court its
his suitor's emitnner. It is said that he possesses a property
of WC per ammo.
Watson, ever sines his commitment, has been bony in pre-
paring for his defence, having determined to make a speech
in his own behalf.
Preston has also bnsied himself in writing a ponderous
%el iiiii e upon the. State of the Nation, in which he undertakes
to prove, that what des contemplated by himself and his par-
Onus was the prusperity and glory of his country, and not
any thing inconsistent with the true spirit of our Constitution.
bn returning to their rooms en Sunday evening, they were
desired to be ready iu the usurping at a quarter before eight,
to be removed to the Court of King's Bench.
This morning, soon after seven, Sir Nathaniel Conant ar-
rived at the Tower. being preceded by several Bow-street
'officers. A troop of Life Guards was likewise in attnedauce.
At eight o'clock t_. Im erimmer% were brought down from
their r s, mid placed in four glass coaches, attended
'by fourteen 'comet). Lsery thing being in mediae', the
coaches were driven off under a strong escort of Horse
Guards, taking the course pursued on the former icewion,
over London-bridge, and by the Westminster-road to Palace-
yard. On their arrival at the door of the Graud Jury-roam,
the Horse Guards cleared away the crowd which was assem-
bled, and the prisoners ;slighted, and were immediately con-
ducted through the vaulted prissages to the Court. They were
preceded and followed by the Yeomen of the Guard. Wet-
eon first entered the Court, with a mass of papers under his
arm; he was followed by Preston, Hooper, and lastly by
Thistlettood.
On taking their seats 'without the bar, the Yeomen took
their stations in a row behind them, and or each side of them.
'I W Deputy Warden of the Towel sat on the left of Watson,
and the prisoners' Corium I alio sat behind the Bar. The time
previous to the arrival of the Judges the prisoners occupied
sn close conversation.
At Mae o'clock the King's Counsel took their seats, and in
a few minutes afterwards the Judges arrived.
Shortly after the sitting of the coo, s__
Mr. Serjeant Copley said—" I 'am houthly to state to your
Lordships, that the Court is so completely oecitpied in the
frost row, that there is no room for the prisoners' Counsel to
do that which is iteresiary in the discharge of their important
duty."
'the Attortree.General—" My Lords, it is intimated to me
by my Learneil Friend, Mr. Wetherell, who is of Counsel for
some of the prisoners, that they Untold to sever their challen-
ges. In consequence of this,l beg to stmt., on the part of the
Crown, that they shall be tried separately-- and the first pri-
soner I wish to place on his trial is Mr. James Watson, the
elder. It may be important, that, dining his trial, the other
prieeneft should remain in Court, to be seen—but if they will
place themselves on the accused row, it will afford that room
which my lain ned Friend. Mr. firjeant Copley, wishes for."
Hooper, Preston, and Thirstlewood, accordingly removed
iota the second row.
Me. -Mtn Is, the (Myer of the Court, thenmade proclamation
as follows :
"You good men of the county of Middlesex, summoned
here this day to try the cause-between our Sovereign Lord
the Bing Ind James Watson, the elder, the ptisoner at the
bar. answer to your mimeo:"
Mr. Barlow then proceeded to'call over the nemesia the
.ears—and, after a great variety of challenges, a Jury was
eelpaneelled--but, it appearing that till', a of them worienut
f reeholders,it was necessary to supply their places by persons
proper qualified.
Mr. Wetherell said, he did not mean to raise any olsjecti
against those individuals, because they were not fret:holden s.
Lord Kllenliormieli, utter looking os et. the Act 411 w ist
of
Valiant tool Mars, snide-" It is espressiv provided by this
Act, that Jurors serving on • trial fur high Dutton, shall be
fretboldeis."