Broadside entitled 'Trial and Sentence'

Commentary

This report begins: 'A Full and Particular Account of the Trial and Sentence of William M'Toague, and John M'Crevie, who are to be Executed at Glasgow on Wednesday the 19th May next 1824, for Issuing Forged Notes, and for Housebreaking and Theft.' This broadside was published in Edinburgh by Robert McMillan and sold for one penny.

A rather detailed account of the court trials which led to the sentencing to death of McTeague and McCrevie. McTeague's daughter, Margaret, was also found guilty, although she was apparently unaware the notes were forged, and sentenced to 14 years' transportation. She was probably sent to Australia. In the other case, McCrevie and some acquaintances broke into an old man's house, assaulted him and stole from him.

Reports recounting dark and salacious deeds were popular with the public, and, like today's sensationalist tabloids, sold in large numbers. Crimes could generate sequences of sheets covering descriptive accounts, court proceedings, last words, lamentations and executions as they occurred. As competition was fierce, immediacy was paramount, and these occasions provided an opportunity for printers and patterers to maximise sales.

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