Star.
London, England, 1820-07-25 00:00:00

HIGH TREAgON.

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AINICIAL.COMISSiIIkit, ISLACkaliri JuLrai., t
TRiAL DI JAN= trresem.—(secoNn DAT).
Whit i dlegoiirt inert/his mhriiii4s: at ten o'clnek.
t•biensei Fortin pri,o. es tailed. witnesses to show;
le had marched from Strathaven in 0011101611111111 ..
~ 4
• 4
bettlpttlisbn;and againq his will: - ..: . (1 .
f•-iiit•airitiseet was adduced to prove some conversiatiesr,
Iltehad•tusti‘i,alth the prirrner immediately after the
termed tesdir 'knit left So athn wen. Mr. Serjeant Hot-
Loot objected to. hear the conversation ; but the
Court overruled the 'objection, as the conversation
had taken place at the commencement of the march,
,and might. be considered as part of the yet Resta.
Mr. Nftrattny then addressed the Jury in a very
impressive and independent speech, commenting at
great length, and with much ability, both on the law
'and the evidence of the case. The peroration was
one of the finest bursts of impassioned eloquence eifee'
heard at the Scottish bar.: •
Mr. Serjeant HAYLLOCK addressed the Jury in an
argumentative speech, in which he made an elaborate
recapitulation of the evidence, and' ointed out the
connection between the law and the facts proved.
The Jury' retired, and were inclosed for above *D.
hours. On their return into Court, Mt. Ewiso, the
Foreman, delivered the verdict, finding the pLi.coer
Not Guilty on the first the ee counts of theisklictmerat, '
but Guilty on the fourth, viz. compassing to -let?.isnar
against the King, in order to compel him to change
Ins measures. The Jury recommended him to the
_
clemency of the Crown.
The CounT declined to receive the recommenda-
tion as part of the verdict ; but stated that the Judges
in reporting to the Crown would take proper notice
of the recommendation.
The prisoner heard tbs verdict with the utmost
composure. Throughout the whole trial he appeared
equally indifferent. He slept during part of the pro-
ceedings. He eat heartily of cold beef. He is a middle
sized man, decent in his dress as a workman, and ap-
'patently about 60 years old.
The prisoner's Agents, Messrs. FLIDADto and
Sraawo, acted with exemplary generosity, not only
giving their own able aid gratuitously, but taking
upon themselves the payment of other considerable
charges. .
Mr. HARRII/1 the eminent English Solicitor, as,
sisted in the defence.
The Court adjourned till Monday, as the Court
proceeds to Paisley to-day to arraign some prisoners
there. - ----
ON THE INTENDED-EXECUTIOA'S NEXT
THURSDAY Fun FORGERY.

r ROM TiiK alountic icznAu.

By the Recorder's last Report 1 4nd that three more unfor-
tunate men are ordered for execution. on Thursday next, for
forgery,* and I cannot refrain from immediately protesting, in
the confidence of reason and feeling, for myself and friends—
nay, I trust, for every heart and head in the Empire against the
sacrifice--the repeated sacrifice of life for this offence. 1, and
from my own knowledge, others, and from my hopes and oei-
pions, I imagine the whole of my fellow-countrymen, eit6, r
silently or avowedly, deprecate this continued waste of human
I blood, upon three grounds: firstly, it is unjust—secondly, it is
cried and stawaerentoble—and thirdly, it is intpalitie.
it irsinjun, because, for similar dishonesty, practised In a dif-
ferent way—for obtaining another's property, under other fa!se
pretences or appearances, punishments are decreed which be-
come blessings when Compared with the one inflicted for this
offence—Death ! death ! the extremese stretch of human power.
It is crud and katterraniabk, because, the Legislature, how-
ever such a design may have been talked about ar.d intended,
haw not yet exerted' its utmost power in increasing the diiSculty
or preventing the possibility of the commission of the crime;—
and therefore, did I even grant, ~think Ido nut, the propriety of
the Statute, certainly ought not to exert its utmost power in
crashing an offender who, from the facility of imitation., which
still remains, hasbeendecoyed by that Legislature's own inactivity.
It is impolitic, because it does nor lessen the frequency of the
crime; it is a melancholy and convincing fact, which, upon its
first dicovery, one would think should have been sufficient; to re-
peal the law, that since the crime of forge ry has been penisked
with death in this country, the number of offenders has increased;
while in America, where it is set punialloi with eked; the num-
ber of offenders is fever, in proportion, than beret.
With the inconsistent, though appalling remembrance of the
lives.which have been lost, since the enactment of this law, the
heart-ii:kening recollection of the recent executions—three
suffered so lately as the 12th instant, and the agonising suspense
during the impending fate niche ptesent three condemned onsa,
I, In conjunction with my friends, am uncontroulably urged to
make thn simple appeal, sonfident that should it meet the eye
of any one who has ability or influence to advocate the cause of
suffering, expiring humanity, he will not let one snore victim
perish till he has dune his utmost to prevent it. • •
Rut many may see this who consider themselves not quaff-.
fled for such an undertaking—etvry one, in some way or other,
is quelifledfor it. If he cannot boldly stand forward in the Senate
House, if he cannot propitiate persons of power, he can, at least,
; introduce and advocate die subject in the circles of society in
whic.h he melees; and this will help to awaken popular- eapi..
nion, which, however delayed, cep and will ultimately prevail.
It is omnipotent. He would do a great service too, who Would.
ascertain the exact number of the victims of forgery, or arord
any other information respecting it in his power.
If heartily and unive engaged, philanthropists might asy
fidently expect soon to see a barrier erected and strengthened,
that should stem this long, rapid, and still reeking, torrent of
human blood.
It is not a long time since the crowd of human sactificee
wearied even the strong arm of unrelenting law, till it duped
the sword of death, and Sear! of the devoted -ictims weee
I saved. How was it the bloody weapon was again grasped for
destruction ? It is well known that some of the accileed, by
'making au evasive plea, avoided the gallons; and it Is also wall
known, that some have been since sacrificed on the scaffold for
the same crime; and that the gibbet will creak with the dying
agonies of three more, who shall there, next Titurs4i morning,
awfully expire, unless reason and feeling Interpose.
For myself and friends I conclude with three question%
anxiously addressed to the hearts and understandings of the
whole nation, boning they will catch the attention, and excise
the instant, active, and unremitting exertion of thole who cab
and will answer them by end:avow:a for abolition..
Ist, Why does a law continue to exist which has been
unjust, cruet ten earrentabk. and inspol'uic ?
2dly, Why has not, long long before this, the possibility bees
.prevented, or at least; the difficulty increased, of Imitating the
Dank Notes?
And, idly, Why, when the lives, as above stated, of tesse,
have been raved, have others for the same cam*, been saeris
freed—while three more victims; await at chit minutia the food
'minions death, which, in two dap more. Unless the voice of tea.
son and naturssis uplifted and heard, they will surely dia....1 am,
Mr. Editor, your 's respectfully, HUMAN ITA&
• The general name of Forgery bete Include* Viterbo at
one is the immediate toosequenee of the other, and the sane
arguments are applicable to bah.
t It svotsld be well if any one, in 'dune power it Heel
would present a correct statement to the Public. I blot it
would be found it has alarmingly increased hers, sad kappa,
diminished these.

CORONER'S InQuitst.—An Inquest took place yes•
terday evening at Kentish Town, on the body of the
unfortunate man found in a pon4 near the Highgate
Archway, and *Bo. was supposed to have been mu,-
dered. On the examination of the body it appeared,
however, that it exhibited no marks of violence; and
the eeideace went to se.w that the deceased has' in
all probability fallen into the pond by accident. lirvr.
dict—Accidental Death.