Imatges de pàgina
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"I suppose it will take fifteen men to do this west-end job; and I propose to take the two pieces of cannon in Gray's-Inn-lane and the six pieces in the Artillery-ground." He proposed Cooke to lead this party, and he himself would command. He said they should take the Mansion-house as the seat of the Provisional Government. They were next to take the Bank of England; and Palin should be the man who should set fire to the bar racks and several parts of London. This was the principal part of the plan, but if any thing else occurred before Wednesday, they would think of it. Brunt was then going to put a proposition which he had for assassinating the Ministers, but Thistlewood said, his plan should be first put from the chair, as they were nearly all agreed on it. He desired the chairman to ask if any of them had any thing to say, and that they should say it; but none of them saying any thing, the plan was carried unanimously. Brunt then came forward with his plan, which was, that they should assassinate as many of his Majesty's Ministers as possible; that they should draw lots to assassinate some of the Ministers; and whoever the fellow was on whom the lot fell, he should murder the Minister, or be murdered himself; and that if any man failed in the attempt, he (Brunt) swore by all that was good he should be run through the body. On which I got up, and said," Mr Brunt, do you not think it possible for a man to attempt such a thing and not succeed in it? and do you mean to say he should be run through the body for not doing it?" To which he said, "I do not; if a man should attempt it and not succeed, he is a good man; but if he shews any cowardice, he deserves to be run through the body." This proposition of Brunt's was then put to the meetting. Soon after this, Palin, Potter, and Strange, came in. They were wel

comed, and were desired to sit near the fire, as they were wet. Palin said, "There is one thing I want to know; if it can be done, it will be a great assistance to our plan; I want to know what men are to perform each part of the plan, and who are to take the cannon. I want to know, in calling upon the men, whether I can tell them in part or whole what is to be done." The chairman said, "I don't see where the harm is of telling what is to be done." Mr Palin, seeing he had that liberty, sat down quite satisfied. No. thing regular was transacted in the chair after that. Mr Thistlewood said, "O, Brunt, that is well thought of, as Palin is here; you and Palin go and see if the house near Furnival's-inn is fit for setting fire to." They went (Palin and Brunt) and reported it would make a d- -d good fire. Thistlewood talked of getting means for a treat on Tuesday and Wednesday. Brunt said, he would be d-d but he would contribute the only 17. note he had earned for a long time. They proposed the White Hart for the house. Thistlewood proposed his own room, but afterwards thought it would not do, as it might lead to suspicion. This was all on the Sunday morning. On Monday morning they met again. Witness then told them what Hobbes told him on Sunday night, of inquiries made respecting radical meetings at his house, and that information of it was given at Bow-street office, and at Lord Sidmouth's office.. Harrison turned round on witness like a lion, and said, "Adams, you have acted d-d wrong." Brunt said so too, and added, Whatever you have to communicate, you have no business to communicate but to me and Thistlewood." Witness said, it concerned all, and he should tell all of it. They repeated the same observations. They talked of calling a meeting of the Mary-le-Bone union, as they wanted some money;

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and Brunt said, it would be of use for that purpose. Witness and Potter went in the evening to the White Hart, Palin and Bradburn joined them. Next morning they were there too, and with them Thistlewood, Tidd, Ings, Harrison, and Brunt. Edwards came and told them there was to be a cabinet dinner next night. Thistlewood said he did not think it was true. A newspaper was sent for, and read by Thistlewood. He read that they were to dine at Lord Harrowby's, Grosvenorsquare. Brunt then said, "I'll be d-d if I don't believe there is a God. I have often prayed that he would bring all these thieves together, in order to destroy them He has answered my prayer." Thistlewood proposed, that they should form a committee and sit immediately. Witness took the chair. Thistlewood proposed immediately fresh plan to be formed respecting the assassination. Witness expressed a hope they had paid due consideration to what he said yesterday. All got into confusion. Harrison said, "D-n that man who attempted to throw cold water on the plan, but he would run him through with the sword." Witness left the chair, and Tidd took it. Brunt moved that a watch should be set on the Earl of Harrowby's house that night. The object was to see if any men or soldiers went into Earl Harrowby's. Two were to go at six, to be relieved at nine, and they were to continue till twelve. The watch was to be resumed at four next morning. Thistlewood said he hoped they would be satisfied that no officers or soldiers went in. They would do what they had determined to-morrow evening; and added, that it would answer their purpose much better than to attack their houses separately, when only two or three could be got together. Here they would have 14 or 16; a rare hawl to murder them all. "I propose," continued he," when the door

is opened, to rush in, seize the servants, present pistols, and threaten to kill them if they make any noise; two to take the entrance to the stair upwards, and two others to the stair to the lower part of the house, armed with blunderbusses and hand-grenades; and if any attempt to pass, to throw hand-grenades and destroy them all. Others are to go where the Ministers are, to murder them all. If there shall be any good men, kill them for keeping bad company." All agreed. Ings said, he would go in first, with a brace of pistols and knives. The two swordsmen would cut off all their heads; and Castlereagh's and Sidmouth's should be flung in a bag by themselves. He added, "I shall say, my Lords, I have got as good men here as the Manchester yeomanry; enter citizens, and do your duty." Harrison and witness were to be the swordsmen. After the execution of Lord Harrowby, at his house, Harrison proposed that some should go to King-street horse-barracks, and set fire to the premises by throwing fire into the straw in the stable. Harrison and Wilson were to go to Gray's-Inn-lane, and in case they could not carry the cannon out of the military school, they were to wait till a party came to assist them. Thence they were to proceed to the artillery barracks, to assist Cooke in taking the cannon there. If they found their strength sufficient to proceed, they were to advance to the Mansion-house, and plant three of the cannon on each side of the Mansion-house, and to demand the Mansion-house. If it were refused, they were to fire, and then it would be given up. The Mansionhouse was to be made the seat for the Provisional Government. The Bank of England was next to be taken. They would take the books, which would enable them to see farther into the villainy of the Government. The further parts of the plan were delayed

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till Wednesday. They agreed upon a sign and countersign. The word was "Button;" the man who came up was to say B-u-t; the other was to reply t-o-n.-Being asked as to the watch, witness said, There are other things which I wish to state. I went there next morning, and found Edwards, Ings, and Hall, making fuses for the hand-grenades. Davidson went on the watch at six. Witness and Brunt went to relieve the watch. They saw Davidson in the square, on the watch. They went into a public-house, where Brunt played at domino with a young man. About eleven they went out in to the square, and walked for some time, till witness got ashamed of him. self. They went away at twelve o' clock. He went next day to Floxcourt, between two and three. He found Brunt there. Strange came in, and in a few minutes afterwards two more strangers. Strange and another were trying the flints. They went into a back room to avoid the strangers, where witness saw cutlasses, blunderbusses, &c. Thistlewood, Ings, and Hall, came in. Thistlewood said, "Well, my lads, this looks like some thing to be done." He touched witness on the shoulder, and asked how he was. Witness replied that he was very unwell, and in low spirits. Thistlewood sent for beer and gin. Thistlewood then wanted some paper to write bills on. Witness said, cartridge paper would do. The paper was brought; and table and chair were got. The bills were then written; they were to be set on the houses, to let the people know what had been done. Thistlewood read as part, "Your tyrants are destroyed the friends of liberty are called upon to come forward-the Provisional Government is now sitting. James Ings, Secretary. February 23." Thistle wood was much agitated, and could write only three. Another bill was

written, which was an address to the soldiers. Another person was employed to write it, and Thistlewood dictated to him.-Witness said he would tell what he had seen-Ings had two black belts on, one for two pistols, the other for cutlasses. He had two bags on his shoulders like soldiers' haversacks. He looked at himself and said, he was not complete yet, he had forgot his steel. He took out a large knife, and brandished it about, and said, it would cut off the heads of Castlereagh and Sidmouth, and it would be thought a great deal of at some future time. The knife was a large broad knife, 12 inches long, the hand bound round with wax to keep a firm hold of it. Others were busy at other arms. They began to leave the room about half-past four or five, to go about the business. Palin came in half an hour before. Palin said, they ought to be aware of what they were about, and to think within themselves whether they were to do their country service or not, and whe ther the assassination would be countenanced by their country. If they thought their country would join them, then the man who flinched should be run through on the spot. Unless they came to this determination they would do no good. A tall man came in, and asked what the business they were about was. Witness had never seen him before. The tall man said, if they were to serve their country, he was their man, and if any one was afraid of his life, he ought to have nothing to do with such a concern as that. Thistlewood was then gone. Brunt was told, that inquiries were made by some who were present, as to the plan they were about. Brunt said, that was not the room for telling that; but they should go with him, and they would know. Brunt promised spirits; the tall man cautioned against drunkenness, as ruinous to a cause like that.

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They went along the street, two and two, and at some distance, that they might not be observed. There was a cupboard in the room used for swords, hand-grenades, and flannel bags for cartridges, one of which was full. The rest of the arms were in Tidd's room; that was the depot. Thistlewood was always in a hurry to carry every thing that was got ready into the depot, lest any officer should see it. Witness carried a brass- barrelled blunderbuss. There were pikes made of old files. Witness as he went on missed all his associates. He returned back, and met Brunt, who returned back with him along the Edgware-road, till they met Thistlewood. They went all together to the stable in Cato-street. Witness staid behind till Harrison came up, and made him go in. He saw there, Davidson and Wilson below, Thistlewood, Ings, Hall, Bradburn, Strange, Cooper, the tall man, and others above. There were, as Thistlewood calculated at last, eighteen above, and two below. There was a bench above, and arms on it. Some beer was standing on the table. There were lights. There was a chest. Before Tidd came, Thistlewood went out for some time. Witness heard a deal of talk below, and he found Thistlewood, Brunt, Harrison, Davidson, and Wilson. They spoke of the good news they heard, that the carriages were arriving at Lord Harrowby's as fast as they could. Witness went up to the loft, and saw Thistlewood and Brunt much agitated. They spoke of Tidd's absence. Brunt pledged his word that he would come. He soon afterwards came. Thistlewood said, "I hope you will not give up what you are going to do; if you do, this will be another Despard's business." He then counted 20 persons, and said that was enough, 14 would be sufficient to go into the room, and the other six would take care of the servants and doors. They then set

apart 14. The gin bottle was then started.

Thistlewood said, if Lord Harrowby had 16 servants, that was nothing, as they would not be prepa red. A noise was heard below. Thistlewood took a candle and looked down to see who they were, and then set down the candle quite confused, according to witness's judgment. Two officers took command of the room, holding small pistols, and said, "A pretty nest there is of you. We have got a warrant to apprehend you all, and hope you will go peaceably." A man who was on the step of the ladder said, "Let me come forward. This was the man murdered. A group of persons had got into the little room, and then came forward, and one of them stretched forward an arm, witness saw nothing in it, and another presented a pistol. The man fell. It was impossible for him to give a particular account of the other transactions. He got away, went home, was apprehended on the Friday, and remained in custody ever since. He identified Davidson, Wilson, Brunt, Ings, Cooper, Harrison, and Tidd. There were two he did not know. They were again called forward, but he said he could not swear to them. He was sent forward near the dock, but he said he did not know them. One of

them, he said, he saw at the meeting.

Joseph Hale, apprentice to Brunt, bore testimony to the assemblages and preparations of arms which had taken place at his house. He gave the following account of Brunt's arrival home after the breaking up of the underta king.

My master came home that night at about nine o'clock. I observed his dress was dirty. He appeared confused. I heard him say to his wife, it was all up, or words to that effect. He said that where he had been, a great many officers had come in. He said he had saved his life, and that

was all. Just as he said this, another man came in. I do not know that man. Brunt shook hands with him, and ask. ed him if he knew who had informed. The man said, no. The man then said, he had had a dreadful blow on the side, which knocked him down. Brunt then said, "There is something to be done yet." After this Brunt and the other man went away together. Mrs Brunt and I after this went to Ings's room. I saw several rolls of brown paper with tar in them. I saw only one pole remaining. I saw something rolled up, and tied round with strings. I understood them to be hand-grenades. I saw an iron pot belonging to Brunt. My master came in about 11 o'clock. He told me to get up in the morning as soon as I could and clean his boots. They were very dirty. He called me in the morning at half past six, and when I got up he asked me if I knew the Borough. I told him yes. He then asked if I knew Snow'sfields. I said no. He then went into the back room, and put the things out of the cupboard into two baskets; one of which was afterwards put into a blue apron belonging to Mrs Brunt. This apron had before this been as a curtain in Ings's room. My master told me that Potter lived in Snow's fields. When we had the baskets ready, two officers came in and took my master into custody. I knew where Tidd lived. He lived in Hole-in-the-Wallpassage, Brookes's-market. Adams lived next door.

Several witnesses were examined as to points of minor importance.

Thomas Hyden, examined by Mr Gurney. I am a cow-keeper, was formerly a member of a shoe-makers' club.

I knew Wilson there. I saw him a few days before the 23d of February. He met me in the street, and made a proposition to me. He asked me if I would be one of a party to destroy his Majesty's Ministers. He

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said they were waiting for a cabinet dinner, and that all things were ready. He told me they had a sort of things which I never saw, they were called by the name of hand-grenades,—and he said he depended on me to be one. He said that Mr Thistlewood would be glad to see me, if I would be one. He said the use to be made of the hand-grenades, was to be put under the table (at the cabinet dinner) with the fuse alight, and those who escaped were to be destroyed by the sword or some other weapon. He also said that fires were to be lighted, and the town to be kept in confusion for several days, till the thing became general. He named some houses. Lord Harrowby's, Lord Castlereagh's, Lord Wellington's, Lord Sidmouth's, the Bishop of London's, and several others which I do not remember. I told him I would make one. This was, I believe, four or five days before the Ca to-street business. Before that I went to Lord Harrowby's; I do not remember the day. I followed his lordship in the Park,-I gave him a note. On Wednesday the 23d I saw Wilson again. I believe it was between four and five o'clock in the afternoon. I met him in Manchester-street, Manchester-square. He said, "Hyden, you are the very man I wanted to see." I asked him what there was going to be; and he said there was to be a cabinet dinner at Lord Harrowby's, Grosvenor-square. He told me I was to go to the Horse and Groom publichouse, the corner of Cato-street. I was to go in there, or otherwise I was to wait at the corner until I was shoved into a stable close by. I asked him the hour, and he said about half-past five or a quarter before six. I then asked him how many there were to be, and he said 20 or 30. I asked him was that all there was going to be; and he said there was to be another party in the Borough, another

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