Star.
London, England, 1820-04-06 00:00:00

to excite terror, and, was therefore illegal. H'~
Lordship then proceeded toga thfotie the evidence,
commenting as -he went on ; and, in the course of his ]
Observations,. took occasion to remark, that he had'
asked one of the witnesses whether any, and what
portion of this Meeting was composed of women and
children, in .order to form a judgment as to the
peaceable intentions of the parties ; and he added,
that in a recent investigation which had taken place
before him, respecting a large assembly of a similar
nature, it appeared that a great portion, ar least
one-eighth part of it, was composed of women and
children; which circumstance had made a great im-
pression on his mind. that no mischief was contem-
plated or to be apprehended on that day. In con-
clusion, his Lordship said, they were first to consi-
der whether the 'meeting was calculated to excite
terror, from the people being furnished with sticks
and staves, considering that the women were habited
in mourning, and that the staves were mounted with
crape; and if they were of opinion that terror was
excited, then all the people who saw these things,
and still remained, were guilty of being present at
an unlawful meeting, and especially those who were'
active partisans. If, however, they were of opinion
that these appearances were ;Jot calculated to excite
alarm, then they were to consider whether the people
having pistols and pikes were not likely to excite
terror, and, if so, then their Verdict should apply to
such of the defendants as saw them, and upon this
point the evidence was much stronger against Dew-
burst, and Broadhurst, than any of the other de-
fendants. They were next to 'consider whether the
inscriptions and drawing's on the flags were calcu-
lated to excite sedition and disaffection ; and, if so,
Dewhurst and BroadhurSt saw them, and afterwards
remained to take apart in the proceedings, then they
were guilty. Lastly, they were to consider, whether
they had an accurate account of the speeches and re-
solutions given to them by the witnesses for the pro-
secution ; and if they had, and they thouOrt them
calculated to excite disaffection in his Majesty's sub-
jects, then those who uttered them, or remained to
sanction them by holding up their hands, are guilty;
but he begged to say, that if the Jury . entertained
any doubt on either of these points, or as to the par-
ticipation of the defendants, then it would be their.
duty to. acquit the defendants.
The Jury retired, and, after consulting together
for about twenty minutes, returned with a verdict
of—Guilt) against all the prisoners, except those
two (Wade and Asten) as to whom the prosecution
had been given up.
It was remarked that the verdict was a general
one; though Mr. Raine, in his reply, had given up
the counts which referred to the charge of conspiracy.
It was, however, understood in Court as not apply-
ing to that charge.
Mr. Justice BAYLAY was about to pass sentence,
when Knight requested to be allowed to say a few
words in mitigation. His Lordship said, he would
give him and the other defendants till to-morrow
morning to prepare any affidavits, or any statements
for that purpose.