Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-17
FAMOUS TRIALS
pEsPARD TRIAL OF 1863.

One of the most exciting of the Eng fish state trials of the nineteenth cen tury was that of Col. Despard and a party of conspirators whose intention was, it was claimed, to murder the king and revolutionize the government. This occurred at the beginning of that century, and the conspiracy seems to have spread all over the country, for the uprising against the government was not confined alone to London, but spread to every section. There was general dissatisfaction not only throughout the country but there were evidences of revolt in the army and navy over existing conditions. It was just a time when conspiracy could easily be rooted in the minds of peo- pie who felt that they were not only misgoverned, but that they were being betrayed.
 It only required a clever and des- perate leader to raise and bring to maturity the dangerous crop of disaf- lection that had been sown every where. Such a man was apparently ready to hand in a brave and meri- torious officer, Col Despard, who at the time was smarting under a bitter grievance and whose gallant deeds gave him a great and most dangerous influence among the soldiers.
 While soldering in the Spanish main he appears to have had disputes with | the English there, and such serious complaints against him were sent home | that he was suspended and returned ] to England with the demand that the I fullest inquiry be made into his con l duct.
 Irritated at his treatment. he ap- pears to have taken violent part in politics. For part he took in the | Irish rebellion of 17sS he was arrested | and committed to Cold Bath Fields, | Bridewell where his harsh treatment | became the subject of animated dis l oussions in both houses of parliament From his first prison he was trans | ferred to the house of correction at 1 Shrewsbury, and thence back to the Bridewell in Tothill Fields. without even being able to learn the particulars l of the charges against him, much less l to obtain the verdict of a jury on their truth or falsehood,
 The conspiracy, on account of which | Despard met his death as a traitor, was matched during the spring and summer of 1902, and the time for it's | execution the latter part of November. ! The new parliament had lately met and the swearing in of members had proceeded so rapidly that it was hoped | that on Nov. 16 the day set for the
 carrying out of the project, the king
 would attend the formal opening of
 parliament.
 1 In thase days the royal procession
 assembled in the park at the back of St. James palace and crossed the Mall ! on it's way to St. Stephens. Hence
 one of the mad projects of these men l was to get one of the soldier con spirators to be selected as sentry over the long Indian gun on the Mall, and
 to load and fire it through the crowd
 at the moment when the state coach | came within range
 Parliament. happily, was not ready I and the royal visit in
 postponed to the 2Sd. In the mean | time the conspirators were arrested and the miserable project was stifed in It's cradle. In this conspiracy Col
 Despara was the only man above the
 working classes who apparently had 3
 Share The others were soldiers ane
 workmen.
 Among them, from the very incep-
 ton, was traitor, Thomas Windsor
 solder in the guards, who revealed
 .ns aeefet of the conspiracy, and his
 evidence, in turn. was sanctioned bs
 William Francis and Thomas Blades
 These men gavs the government full
 information of a pi-t which was of the
 widest and most reckless character.
 The trial of Despard and other lead
 CTS in the conspiracy began on Feb. '
 1903. Spencer PereiyaI, the attorney.
 general, was in charge of the ease
 Col. Despard was tried separately, tn,
 charge being "eompassinS and intend ing the kings death" Several Der,
 sons testified to Despard having said
 His majesty must be put to death
 and the people will be at liberty" H, , was also charged with saving: 'H, had weighed everything we'll within : him. and God may know, his hear : was callous: he would do it with hi , own hand"
 The trial of Despard lasted until
 o'clock in the morning and the follow
 ing day all the other conspirators wer tried and found guilty. The execution ! or the sentence was deferred unti
 Monday, the 21st, and in deferenee t. 2 the improved spirit of the age the dis gusting details legally attendant on aj