Transcription
Trials, &c. An Account of the Trial of James Wilson, which came on before the Lords Commissioners at Glasgow on Thursday and Friday the 20th and 21st July, 1820. accused of High Treason, and who was found Guilty, but recommended to the mercy of the Crown. GLASGOW, JULY 20. James Gilchrist, of Gilfoot, The Lords Commissioners appointed by the Special Com- George Rowan, of Home'auldhead, mission of Oyer and Terminer, for trying all Treasons and Thomas Douglas, of Moss, Misprisons o' Treason, committed within the counties of Stir- John Woddrop, of Dalmarnock__And ling, Lanark, Dumbarton, Renfrew, and Ayr, opened their James Ewing, merchant, Glasgow. proceedings here on Thursday morning. The following were the Lords Commissioners,?The Lord President of the Court of The Indictment having been read over,the prisoner plead- Session, the Lord Justice Clerk, the Lord Chief Baron of the ed Not Guilty. Court of Exchequer, the Lord Chief Commissioner of the Jury Mr. Hope then stated to the Jury the heads of the four counts of the in Court,and Lord Pitmilly.John Hullock, Esq. Serjeant at Counts of the indictment, charging the prisoner with levying Law, assisted at the trials, and Mr. Thomas George Knapp, war against the King. &c. Clerk to the Arraigns of the Home Circuit in England, acted as Clerk to, the Arraigns. Thirty two witnesses were examined on the above case.- On the part of the Crown, the Counsel were the Lord Advo- The prisoner had emitied two declarations; but Mr.Monteith. cate, the Solicitor. General, Mr. Hullock, Mr- H. H Drum. his Counsel, objected to the production of first one, on the mont, and Mr. Hope, the Lord Advocate's Deputes, Mr Men- ground that the Magistrate had recommened to the prisoner zies. Mr.Knapp- and Mr, James Arnott. w s. Agent.On to be candid, saying, that if he was in his place he would speak the opposite side of the table, sat Mr. J. A. Murray, Mr Gra- out. The Court sustained the objection. ham, Mr. Montelth. Mr. Pyper, Mr. Cullen, Mr. Miller and It was now ten o'clock and the Court intimated its inten. Mr. Sandford, Advocate; and Mr. Harmer, the English Bn- tion of rising far the night, and coaches were ordered to carry rister, who, we helieve, condueted the trials-which late y took the Jury to some place where they could be all kept together place at Manchester-Agent, Mr.Fleming. Mr. Murray, in the mean time, commenced his address to the The Court was opened about nine o'clock, and in a few Jury and concluded about welve o'clock, when the Court rose minutes was crowded with people, who eagerly pushed into to meet next morning at ten o'clock. the Court Hall for the purpose of hearing the trials. The The Court met again at the appointed time, When the Jury, Lord President addressed the Court; after which list wat called orar. JAMES WILSON, weaver aged 58, belonging to Stratha- The Lord President informed the Gentlemen of the petit ven, was called to the bar.He was charged with having as- Jury, Who were not empannelled, that they were at liberty to smbled in arms in the month of April last, and of having pub- retire, for there would be no other trial to day. lished the Proclamation which was posted on the walls of the City and neighbouring villages, on the 1st of April last, calling Mr. Murray made an elequent and ingenious address to the- on the people of Great Britain and lreland to rise in arms and. Jury in behalf of Wilson.Mr serjeant Hullock replied ? assert their rights,&c. The Lord President then summed up the evidence, in a clear and distant manner. The Clerk of the Crown iben read over the list of the pefit Jury, which consisted of the following Gentlemen:- The Jury retired at seven o'clock; and, after heing absent David Laird, of Balornock, two honrs returned into Court, and delivered their verdict Thomas Muir, of Muir Park, finding him Guilty on the fourth count "conspiring to teyy John Lochhead, of Govan, was against the King, in order to compel him to charge his Robert Grandberry Baillie, Govrnment."Bnt the Jury unanimously him Thomas Sommerville, younger of Carnwath, to the mercy of the Crown. Andsew Smith, of Auldhouse, The Conrt proceeded this morning to arraign the prisoners James Howieseu, of Douglas, at Paisley, but meets here again on Monday. Printed for John Muir.
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1820 shelfmark: L.C.Fol.73(010)
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