Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1907-09-13
A BIT OF ENGLISH HISTORY.
Horrible Punishment inflicted in England
In the Nineteenth Century.

In Inc Nineteenth century.
In 1903. we learn from an old copy
Df the European Magazine of that
date. complaint against ole Col. r.
M. Despard and his partisans, was
made, and commission to enquire
into the OffeDse was convened in the
new court house for Surry In Horse
monger lane, before Lord Dboro,
md if proper find an Indictment. TIE
commission WAS dated January 10th,
1903, and the commission was compos.
ed of Lords aud Gentlemen, and was
the same as a Grand Ju,y in other
cases. 1t seems that q witnesses were
sworn, ''One Connolly being admitted
as Kings evidence. The jury found
True Bill, and the trial was set for
February Z. 1908 Col. Despard had a.
most distinguished career. In 1888
The, as colonel. so well discharged his
duties that he was appointed superin-
tendent of His Majesty's affairs in.
Honduras"
On the 18th of February, 1903, be was
brought before the court for trial.
The Treason consisted in taking an
oath to work for the CONSTITUTIONS
Independence OF Great Britain and
Ireland. Equalization and extension
of rights. An ample provision for the
families of those heroes who fall in
the contest, liberal reward TO all who
exert themselves in the cause OF the
people, and that they would never
separate until these objects were at
tanned"
When Col. Despard was arrested no
papers were found on him, nor was it
shown he ever took such an oath, but
he was known to frequent an inn call
ed Oakley Arms, and two Witnesses
one Blades deserter, and an admitted
thief, told of hearing talk of the plans
of procedure at and around Oakley
Arms There had been no overt act
and the entire evidence consisted in
the discussion of plans. In behalf of
Col. Despard, Lord Nelson testified
that be had known him long and well
and that he was brave and gallant
officer, they had been together in the
eDemy's trenches, and had slept to-
gether in the same tent. Col. Alured
Clark testified to a thirty years. &C
quaintance, bis loyalty as subject and
bis zeal as an officer. Sir Evan Nepean
also testified as to his good character.
The jury returned verdict of guilty
after Lord Ellenboro had delivered a
charge which seemed much against the
prisoners. The trial lasted just %
hours.
There were ten others tried with
Col. Despard, and FIVE were found
guilty, three guilty but recommended
to mercy, and two not guilty. When
the jury had found guilty" Col. Des-
pard addressed the Court aud said,
1.-The charge brought against me is one
that l could not have the most distant
idea of, and prayed short delay in
which to consult counsel. Lord Ellen
boro, however, says the report. put
on his square cap, and in a style of
awful solemnity, highly BETTING the
melancholy but just occasion address
ed the prisoners.
When his Lordship had closed Col.
Despard said, Your LOrdship has i'm
puted to me the character of being the
seducer of these men. l did not see
that anything of the kind appeared in
the trial from any part of the evidence.
OF the conduct imputed to me l am
utterly incapable" Lord Ellenboro
says the report, seemingly overcome
had laid his head down upon the bench
covering his face with his hands and
remained silent.
Some of the other men arose and
denied all completely in such crime
They were led away and the commits
| sion was dissolved.
In the same magazine we fnd tn,
following
This morning, February q, 1903
"were executed on the top of the new
prison in the Borough the folio win
"traltOrs-Edward Marcus Despard
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