Star.
London, England, 1803-02-10 00:00:00

pre Mons that appeared crkuinal, and to attempt to
(hew that nothing more was meant than to im-
prove the Cnnllitution, and to bring about a reform
by regular, peaceable, and contlittitianal means. I
know not if filch an attempt will be made today,
but I can anticipate the fuccefs that will attend it.
We are agreed as to the Cogitu:ion, if by, the Contli-
tution is meant that form of Government under
which we havefo long happily lived ; not the wild
ideas of thole who, under the pretence of im proving
it, are its mortal enemies. Concerning the In-
dependence of Great Britain and Ireland," we (hall
not quarrel, if by independence is meant their main-
taining their high rank among the nations of Eu-
rope, and counteraaing all the plans that are laid
to difunite and degrade them. Hut is the fenriment
innocent if, by iiSdependence is meant difunion,
and the fuccefs of proje:ts which mutt end in the
defiruftion pf both? What can he meant by this
equalization of rights, civil, political, and religi-
ous ? If they want merely equal laws, which make
no di flinelion between rich and poor, but hold our
protection to, all,_thofe they already have. Is
it noe more prObable that thit wffhed For the anni-
hilation of all drninaions, and for an equal diaribu.
lion of property ? The words will bear no other in
terpretation. All that they can legally detit e they
already enjoy.—They have not to contend for thefe
bleffings—they have not to recover them. This is
not an ithOrbrement here hinted at, but fomething
lever beforepolfcited. If the means to be employed
were peaceable, where would there be room for a
difplay of hernifm ? Would any fall in ibt coati:, ?
Thai are not the circam (lances attending the exer-
tion of mind—there are not the flruggles of intel-
led ; this is not acutenefs in argument, and ar-
dour in dehate. The words of this oath refer to
bonne combats, to an armed force wing agaipa •
"tilling power, and uiUing law.,
If, however, ingenuity fhuutd render this matter
equivocal. the reit of the cridence, will place the
truth of the confpiracy beyond all doubt. About
the middle of Snnimer they began to think it nitght
be dangerous for them always to meet at the fame
place. To avoid flifpicion, they therefore went to
various public honks: in Wittillmiil-Ilreet,Oxftwd.
finer, St. Giles's, Hatton Garden. Ntliitechapel, in
the Borough,about the Tower, and above all, to the
Oakley Arras in Leinbetb. TO there meetings they
invited fidiliers, *O4 Created tlietn with tab- things 1
as were bell calceUted to pin their good will.—
'l oaffs wi re given to anfwer the °Neal of the afro.
ciaTion.,ftish as " The Cattle of Liberty—Elten-
aim of Rights-111e Model of France," &c. They
how inere;tfidkreatly in audacity.and were betray-
ed by their conltlenie into the greatelfextrivakan.
cies. Some were anxious for a slat being afppointrid
for taking,the Tower. I do not espea that
you
fliould feel this part of the evidence to prefs very
Itaideriedh-the Colonel. it will appear that his '
interference rather finned to manun the impru.
dist zeal of the confederates. But he was at the
bott;m of their machinations. On a day when
they were affetnbled upon Toirer Hill to begin the '
attack, he had the influence to difperfe them.—
ITowever, he does not appear very prominently
here, nor till the plan began to-teach maturity.—
Then indeed he became more confpicuous, and
during the three weeks that Prec .ded hfs arreft, I
have Ibur opportunities of conceding hinkwith the
confpirators. The great blow was tribe itruck on
the t6th of Nov. You may recolleft Oat his
Ma)'efty intended to meet his Parliament a week
earlier than he aaually did—on the 16th, inked
of the 23d. Their intention was on that day to
carry into era their plait to lay reltraint upowtbe
King's pedant and to deftroy him. On the Fri.
daybefore, a meeting took place, particularly de-
(erring of attention. Broughton prevailed upon
two of them to go to the Flying Hoek, Newing-
ton, where they were told they would meet awe
nee. This awe wan was Cdawl D o, the pri.
loner at the bar. The converfation Lifted two
hours, and will be particularly Rated to you by
the witneilis. Yon will find that the mode was
inquired into in which the Tower is watched and
guarded ; that tbey-concerted rneafures for inter-
cepting the King at he was, going down to the
Houle of Lords; that the difficulues were coati-
dered, and the manner in which thole might be
overcome. It will appear that Broughton fug-
gelled the idea of (booting the horfeskas the coach
would thus be flopped " But (Cod another)
would not the Life nerds cut us down r"Then
the prifoner at the bar exclaisised. 64 If no one elf"
will do it, I myfelf will;" adding, with much fa-
!enmity. an expect:scm which flrongly (hewed the
frame of his mind at that moment —" I have well
weighed the matter (he laid), and my heart is'
callous." Callous indeed muft be the heart that
could harbour filch a purpfe I WinJfor and ano
thee foldier met him, by appointment. at the Ti- ;
ger on Tower-hill, on the Leib November.—
i
From thatthey adjourned to the Coach and I
Noires is Whitechapel. There were two other ;
(oldies: there, who were invited to partake of their
refrafitments. A deep enoverfation was entered '
into, but the !{rangers were not allowed to over-
bear it, though they can (peak to the traitors being
'trembled in confultation together. It was agreed
that neat night a grand meeting Mould take place
at the Oakley Arms.
Although no Reps had been hitherto taken so
erre* them. Government was by no means igno.
rant of their proceedings. They were well watch
ed. As long as die danger fenced at a dill nice.
and their plans were wild and impraakahlei it
was thought better that Government fisnold not
interfere. It was indeed difficult to determine
when to iaterrupt their career. Lithe,. had been
taken up earlier, they mull either have been
brought to trial opus evidence derived from fecret
(Dudes, crhich being divulged, their delinquents