The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-11-10
THE EUROPEAN NEWS.
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Irel0nls
sxnTENCE UPON THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHKR, TERENCE
BELLKw M'MANUs, AND PATRICK oDoNoHoE.

BSisw MManus, Patrick O'Douohoe aud Thomas
Francis Mesehsr, be brought up for judgment.
The court gave directions that the prisoners should
Mr.. Burr, &C., addressing their lordships said, as
not sssry for the to be present at
what he going to say, he wished to speak to the
court relative to the two points raised Saturday
evening, on behalf Of the prisoners.
Chief Justice BLAcKBURNE-We have already had
them under our consideration, and we don't think
there is much substance in them; but shall further
MT BvTr-Might I refer your lordship to the note
upon that case ia % Hawkins, page 437
Chief Justice BLAcKBuRNE.-We shall consider tho
entire.
The most profound silence and the most intense
anxiety then prevailed in court In expectation Of the
arrival Of the traitors all eyes being turned to the
dock to observe their first appearance Their manner
and bearing pre- cisely what they had been all
throueh-a1m manly, and unfinohins Even At that
or self. possession never once left them.
ADDRESSES OF THE PRISONERS.
After the lapse of about ten minutes Messrs. Mea-
Cher, O'Donohoe, and M'Mauus, we're placed at the
bar and the clerk of the addressed them in the
usual FORM captuating the terms Of the
and then said-"Have you anything to say why sen.
tsnce Of death and execution should not be passed
upon you according to law 7"
SPEECH OF M'MANus.
Mr.. M'MANus then, in q Arm and distinct tone,
said-My lords trust am enough Of Christian and
enough of q man, to understand the awful response
lords standing on thi, my native soi-standng in
Irish court of justice and before the Irish nation
have much to say Why sentence Of DEATH or the
tence of the law, should not be passed upon me- But
my lords entering this court, placed my life-aud,
what is of much more Importance to me- my honor
In the hands of two advocates and, my lords, II
had ten thousand lives and ten thousand houors,
would be content to place them under the watchful
and the glorious genius Of the and the high legal
ability Of the other-My lords, am content In that
regard have nothing to say. But have word to
for me- have this to say, my lords: that Whatever
part may have taken through any struggle for my
country's Observation-Disclosures part may have
acted in that short ca-eer stand before your lord
ships now with a free heart, and with . light con-
science ready to abide the issue of your sentence.
And now my lords perhaps this is the atts,t time
this standing as do, between this dock and the
scsHold, 1t may be now, or tomorrow, or 1t may be
sentiment to put record-that in any part Ihave
taken, l have not been actuated by luminosity to
Ensiishmen; for have spent some Of the happest
part ofmy career have been actuated by enmity to
English men, however much may have felt the injus
tlcs Of English rule in this island My lords have
nothing more to say. 1t is not for having loved Eng
land less but for having loved Ireland more that
stand now before you.
Mr. O'Donohoe the next to address the court
which he did with much energy and distinctness
Having asked permission to read the observations he
Intended make and the court Offering no objection
he read from manuscript what f'llows:-
SPEECH OF o'DoNoHOE. @.
Nv Lords beg to say that the Attorney and So
lictor General have conducted the case against me
fairly but strictly, and find no fault with them, or
WITH the evidence given against me, far it
acted on by the jury. My Lords, do complain that
In such q county the jurors summoned to try me, .
stranger for political offence were exclusively po-
ica opponsns ana with s1cn Ina.
nv Jury to have been called from those who had not
served. been rejected, on former trial MY jury,
thus selected could not be supposed to overcome all
biss and believe they formed most mistaken YER
dot
that n assisted Mr. OBrieu, whilst engaged In trea
sonabe design. | was guilty OF treason, although
might not know Of his intent; and from their recon-
me alton 1t appears that they found me guilty on
that direction To one unlearned in the law, and
supposing that treason depended on intention, It
seems contrary to common sense that can partics'
nate in design, of the existence Of which
am ignorant. do not, however presume to dispute
the law as your ordshp has stated it, but n, earthly
judge inaos and IS the d1os5,ns IL 80 s'aSnS
hieh constitutional character that would form pre-.
dangerous to the lives and liberties OF the best
men humbly request your lordships to reserve the
point for the consideration Of the judges. II your
ord,hp be in error that ought to be corrected
II not, It will be protection 70 every one 70 Kno"
1t s not ht on this solemn occasion TO deiend my
opinions or conduct. will therefore, only say, that
those opinions bavs always been tolerant sincere and
am grateful to my eminent counsel, Mr.. Butt for
his eloquent and truly able defence the more so be-
cause that defence generously given without fee
or reward and given too to his political antagonist
cannot express my admiration for the ingenuity and
great talent shown by my junior rs
thank my solicitor. Mr.. Laan, for the ability with
which he conducted my case aod the great exsrtons
ma de- by him my behalf tnAnK your lordsnip ior
this patient hearing.
Mr. Mesgher then proceeded to address the court.
He was dressed in his usual style, appeared in excel
lent health and bore himself through the trying ordeal
with forttude and manly dignity. Expectation was
raised to the highest point, aud breathles' anxiety
of the Young patriot this solemn occasion-the last
which his countrymen would hear from his lips. He
rpoke as follows -
SPEECH OF MEAGHER.
NV Lords-It is my intention to say few words
onlv desire that the last act Of proceeding which
has occupied so much Of the public time should be OF
abort duration Nor have the ndelicate wish to close
the dreary ceremony of state prosecution with q
vain display of words Did fear that hereafter when
shall be no more the country have tried to serve
would think i'll of me, might indeed avail myself OF
this solemn moment to vndicate my sentiments and
my conduct But have no such fear. The country
viii judge of those sentiments and that conduct In
light far different from that In which the jury by
which have been convicted have viewed them; and
by the country the sentence which you my Lords
70 .eSon Of mv rsosd
truth. Whatever be the language in which that
sentence be spoken, know that my fate will meet
with sympathy, and that my memory will be
honcred In speaking thus, accuse me not my lords,
of an indecorous presumption. To the efforts have
made In just and noble cause, ascree no vain inn
importance-nor do claim for those efforts any high
rpward But IL happens and 1t will happens So
that those who have tried to serve their o6hntry no
matter how we ak the effort may have beer, sure
TO receive the thanks and blessings Of It's people With
my country, then, leave my memory-my sentiments
my scts-proudly feeling that they require no vindi
cation from me this day A jury of my COUNTRY men,
Il ia true have found guilty Of the crime of which
stood indicted For this entertain not toe
feeling of resentment towards them. lndnenced as
the must have by the charge Of the Lord Chief
Justice they could have found no other verdict.
What Of that charged Any strong observations on 1t,
feel sincerely, would III bedt the soemnity OF this
scene but would earnestly beseech OF you my lord
and prtudices Of this hour have passed away to APP
peal 20 your Coincidence and to ask Oft was your
charge as IL ought to have BEEN impartial aud indif
ferent between the subject and the crown! My lords
you may deem this language unbecominy in me aud
fat. mt I hsra tn cneak