from the assertion of their rights, and from exerting that native energy which appertains to them. "Let not, however, the officers of government be objects of your indignation. If they really knew how they were degraded as moral beings, by the service on which they are frequently sent, they would not feel much respect for those who employ them. Let these men, then, be the objects of our pity and instruction. Though they are sent to disturb us, not one of them, I will affirm, has ever been informed of the supposed offence which we are now committing." convention, from 29th of October to the 4th day of December 1793, consisting of 95 pages, and found in the custody of William Skirving, secretary to the said convention, when apprehended by warrant of the sheriff of Edinburgh in the month of December last, being No. 1 of the inventory of papers found in the said William Skirving's possession, and made up in presence of the sheriff of Edinburgh upon the 5th of December last, with the said inventory itself, and whole of the other papers and writings therein contained; as also, two lists or inventories, made up before the sheriff of Edinburgh on the 7th of December last, of sundry papers found in the possession of Joseph Gerrald and Maurice Margarot, two members of the said con Further, in the aforesaid paper, No. 80, of date aforesaid, there is an article intituled, "An extraordinary instance of public spitit in a cobler of Messina;" which article is obvention, when apprehended in consequence viously calculated to convey to the lieges of this country a doctrine of the most horrible and diabolical tendency; to hold forth, under the form of a moral tale, that massacre and assassination are justifiable, nay, are acts of of public virtue. It is prefaced thus: "There is a sort of enthusiasm in public spirit, which renders it politically prudent in corrupt statesmen to discourage it; and yet there is something so great and so divine in this enthusiasm, that statesmen of a better turn, though they dare not encourage, yet they cannot but admire it.-We have a shining and surprising example of this in the cobler of Messina, which happened in the last century, and is at once a proof, that public spirit is the growth of every degree; and which is a point that our great men ought to consider with attention, that wherever corruption becomes flagrant and universal, this heroic lunacy of public spirit is most likely to appear." And concludes thus: "So I think it would be happy for the ministers, who are either entrusted by their masters, or acquire to themselves a boundless authority, supported by boundless influence, if they would write in a table book, and from thence refresh their memories frequently with this sentence, 'What if the cobler of Messina should revive," Thereby, clearly signifying, that the foresaid wicked and nefarious principle ought to be put in practice here; or at least holding out a threat to those who are in public offices, in order to deter them from a duc exercise of their duty, and thereby exciting the wicked and seditious to perpetrate acts of such enormity. And the said Alexander Scott, above complained upon, having, on the 5th day of December 1793, been brought before Harry Davidson, esq. sheriff-substitute of the county of Edinburgh, did in his presence emit and sign a declaration, tending to show his guilt in the premises. Which declaration, together with five half sheets and three full sheets of paper in manuscript, found in the printingoffice of the said Alexander Scott; as also, four copies of the Edinburgh Gazetter, being No.'s 78, 79, 80, and 81; as also, the scroll or draught of the minutes of the said general of a warrant from the sheriff of Edinburgh; one of which inventories, consisting of ten articles, subscribed by William Scott, procurator-fiscal of the county of Edinburgh, and the said Joseph Gerrald; and the other, consisting of nine articles, subscribed by the said William Scott and the sheriff-substitute, together with the whole articles mentioned in the said two inventories, excepting No. 1; and also, an inventory of sundry papers found in the custody of Charles Sinclair, one of the members of the said convention, and made up in presence of the sheriff of Edinburgh upon the 7th day of December 1793, consisting of 21 articles, with the whole of the said 21 articles themselves; as also, a letter signed Alexander Scott, dated "Gazetteer office, Monday, 9th December, 1793," and addressed to "the right honourable the lord advocate of Scotland" will all be used in evidence against the said Alexander Scott; and will for that purpose be lodged in the hands of the clerk of the high court of justiciary, before which he is to be tried, that he may have an opportunity of seeing the same. At least, times and places above mentioned, the said acts of sedition were committed; the said speeches, motions, resolutions, and article, printed and circulated in manner foresaid; and the said Alexander Scott, above complained on, is guilty actor, or art and part, of all and each, or one or other, of the said crimes. All which, or part thereof, being found proven by the verdict of an assize, before our lord justice general, lord justice clerk, and lords commissioners of justiciary, in a court of justiciary to be holden by them," within the criminal court-house of Edinburgh, upon the third day of February next to come, the said Alexander Scott, above complained upon, ought to be punished with the pains of law, to deter others from committing the like crimes in all time coming. And the said Alexander Scott being ofttimes called in court, and three times at the door of the court-house he failed to appear. Whereupon his majesty's advocate moved that sentence of out-lawry and fugitation, might be pronounced against the said Alex ander Scott, and that as he understood bail | to have underlyn the law for the crime of had been given for his appearance when he sedition, as specified in the said criminal was apprehended by the sheriff-he moved letters, as he who was lawfully cited to that that the bond might be forfeited, and the effect, ofttimes called in court, and three penalty recovered. times at the door of the court-house, and failing to appear as said is. And farther, the said lords declare the bond of caution granted for the appearance of the said Alexander Scott to be forfeited; and ordain the penalty therein contained, to be recovered by the clerk of this court, to be disposed of as the court shall direct. The lord justice clerk, and lords commissioners of justiciary, decern and adjudge the said Alexander Scott, to be an outlaw and fugitive from his majesty's laws, and ordain him to be put to his highnesses horn, and all his moveable goods and gear to be escheat, and inbrought to his majesty's use, for his contempt and disobedience in not appearing this day and place, in the hour of cause, (Signed) ROBERT M'QUEEN, I. P. D. 596. Proceedings on the Trial of WILLIAM SKIRVING, on an Indictment charging him with Sedition. Tried before the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh on the 6th and 7th of January: 34 GEORGE III. A. d. 1794. " By the right honourable Robert Dundas, now [1817] lord chief baron of the court of exchequer of Scotland, who, when the proceedings against Skirving and his associates were instituted, held the office of his majesty's advocate, I have been favoured with an exact copy of the minutes of that assembly which had first called itself The General Convention of the Friends of the People, and which afterwards took the name of the British Convention of the Delegates of the People associated to obtain Universal Suffrage and Annual Parliaments. These minutes were received as evidence on this and the following trials, and I here insert them at full length. [N. B. Whatever is erased in the original is here printed within brackets [ ]-words underscored in the same are printed in italics]. GENERAL CONVENTION. Edinburgh, 29th October, 1793. MR. JOHN M'Intyre being called to the chair, the following commissions were given in, read, and found valid, viz. Canongate, No. 3.-David [Laing] Taylor, Mr. James Donaldson. Dundee Friends of Liberty.-George Mealmaker. Dundee Friends of the Constitution.--Rev. Mr. Neil Douglas New Milns.-James Campbell of New Mills. New Town.-David Bertie, John Auchinlech, John Muir, John Noble, John M'Arthur, Alexander Knox, Archd. Gray, John Graham, James Bonrdon, Wm. Urquhart, John Hodge, Alexr. Bremner, Audw. Newton. Glasgow Friends of the People.-[James Seton] Robert Peacock, John Stark, Jas. Gartley, [Eben. Millar] John Gartley, [John Sinclair] Hinchelwood, Walter Hart, William Millar, Jas. Little. Gorbals.-Geo. Millar. Dunfermline.-James Boyd, John Morris, John Philip. Strathaven.-John Mitchell. Paisley. [John M'Intyre] Taylor, [James Mitchell] Archd. Hastie. Portsburgh.-[right hon. lord Daer] Messrs. Peter Hardie, James Richmond, [John Smith] Taylor, James Tweedie, Joseph Smeal, John Dickson, John Richmond, Adam Richmond, Wm. Skirving, esq., Peter Wood, John Thomson, Geo. Anderson, James Smeall, Fredk. Milne, William Moffat. From the Potterrow Society in favour of Messrs. Adam Pringle, John Clark, James Bell, Thomas Noble, James Paterson, Randolph Slack, Thomas Bell, George Turner, United Societies of Kirkaldy and Linkton. James Dun, Geo, [Innes] Cotton, P., James--William Todd, James Hally, Henry Rait. Purvis, treas., Jas. Tod, sec., Jas. Bell, Jo. Gilchrist, Thos. Watson. New Town.-John Milne, P., John Laidlaw, S. Cowgate.-Alexander Reid, Charles Salter, Isaac Salter, George Callum, William M'Cubbin, John M'Intyre, John Laing. Linlithgow.-Adam Dawson, Willm. Marshall, Wm. Hinshelwood. Canongate. No. 1 and 2.-Alexander Bell, John Buchanan, Alexr. Fortune, [John] James Somervai, [Geo. Ross,] Alexr. Aitchison, Arch. Wright, Alexr. Callander, [esq.] Richd. Younger, John Wardlaw, William for Sedition. 395] Robert Sands. Linton, East Lothian-John Hepburn, P. Geo. Mylne, Andw. Taylor, sec. Operative Society Edinburgh.-John Hyme, Gordon Murray, Thos. Miller, John Baillie, Alexr. Cockburn, Willm. Johnston. Hamilton. John M'Laren. Bridge Street, Archd. Binny, Mitchell Young, Alexr. Scott, Andw. Simpson, David Downie, John Inglis, Alexr. M'Kenzie, James Carmichael, John Kirk, James Ferguson, James Wilkie, David Lyon, Geo. Cleland, Wm. Fleming, Jas. Foyar, Willm. Eelbeck, Wm. Ross, Ebenr. Stalker. Laurieston.-David Weir,John Dunn, John Braidwood, David Gowans. Lawn Market Edinburgh.-Thomas Cockburn, James Lawson, Charles Ritchie, John Grindlay, John Wilson, John Wyld, Wm. Romanus, Saml. Paterson, J. Thomson, John Gourlay, and M Burn. Dalkeith.-Peter Leyden, James Mutter, Thos. Taylor, Wm. Watson. Calton-Robert Christie, William Philip, James Smith, William Brodie, Peter Hunter, William Boyd. Kilmarnock. -John Ronaldson, Thomas Boyd of Caprickhill, Willm. Muir, Jas. Cunningham. Auchterderran.-John Todd, John Chal mers. Kirkintulloch.-William Hay. Mr. Purvis paid to the general fund from the Potter-row society 1l. 1s. The president having constituted the meeting by prayer, was continued in the chair unanimously. A letter was read from Messrs James A similar letter of apology was read from The secretary also read a letter from Mr. Mr. Callender moved that the house should be purged of strangers. Mr. Binny moved that a particular part of the house be allotted for visitors, who should be admitted upon paying one shilling each. At last it was resolved that all present should go as near the door as possible, and each delegate answer to his name in the order of the roll.After which it was resolved that as the house was [abundantly rather too] rather too small for the delegates, none else should be admitted. Messrs. Alex. Lamond, David Leckie from Williams from Musselburgh, Mr. Pennycuick.-David Brown, James Smith, Manchester, Mr. Hunter [from] Robert Smith, John Jackson. Lennox Town.-John Brown. and Mr. Yetts were allowed to continue as visitors, and it was resolved that no visitors Pathhead.-John [Hablow] Halley, Robert should in future be admitted without giving Rait. Additional Delegations. hall. [Additional Delegations]. Wigton.-Lord Daer. in their names to the chair. A letter was presented and read from Mr. Stephen Gibson of the Linlithgow Society, Moor-respecting the objects of the association. Crown and Anchor London.-Charles Sinclair, Henry York. London Corresponding Society. - Joseph Sheffield Constitutional S. Matthews Glasgow United Scotsmen.-Robert Pea- Miltown of Campsie.-Dugald Murray. Newton.-(apology signed I. M.) 1st Motion.-A motion was presented and read from Mr. William Philp, that "this measures for inconvention adopt some structing the people at large in the nature, principles, and glorious properties of the British constitution."-Ordered to lie on the table. Letter and commission read from Lennoxtown Campsie, signed by Mr. D. M'Nab, sect. Mr. Callender moved that this convention resolve to claim for themselves and their constituents the right of universal suffrage and annual parliaments. A letter from a gentleman who does not wish his name to be mentioned was afterCamp-wards read, which the secy. had received, accompanying a work in MS. entitled "Review of the Constitution and Government of Great Britain," and dedicated to this general convention. Canongate, No. 3.-James M'Kay, [Walter] Mr. Downie moved to change the general title of the associations, Ordered to lie on the table, An anonymous letter was afterwards read, | [recommending the periodical work entitled which the secretary had received, covering a [the Patriot, and containing many judicious guinea note of the Thistle bank. [observations], (containing some humorous remarks on the arguments [of] advanced by the enemies of reform, which were received with great approbation. A motion was made by Mr. Archd. Wright, that the convention shall each night adjourn before 10 o'clock. Agreed to, if possible. A letter was read from the four united societies of Ireland. Mr. Bell moved an address and declaration of principles. Ordered to lie over. Mr. Laing made a similar motion, which was also ordered to lie on the table. Adjourned at a quarter past four, till six o'clock in the evening. Eodem die.-Evening sitting.-The Rev. Mr. Jas. Donaldson in the chair. The minutes being read, a motion was presented and read from Mr. James Mitchell, of Paisley, that a petition be presented to his majesty to put an end to this ruinous and destructive war. Mr. Skirving moved, that a committee be appointed to consider the apologies made for absence and report; and the following committee were appointed:-Messrs. Buchanan, Hinchelman, with the president and secretary, and Mr. Clark. The following gentlemen were admitted visitors, Mr. Samuel Brown, from Virginia; Mr. Reid, Mr. Heron (recommended by T. Muir, esq.), Mr. David Ritchie, Mr. Walter Davidson, John Bennet, Gavin Malcolm, and George Malcolm. Mr. Skirving presented and read a copy of a letter wrote in name of the general committee, and signed by Mr. Callander and himself tofthe lord provost, with [the] his lordship's answer. After which he moved, that a committee be appointed to consider of the answer. Mr. Buchanan and the Rev. Mr. Douglas thought it merited no reply, not being signed. After some conversation the affair was remit-. ted to the same committee, to consider the Jord provost's answer and report to the con vention. Mr. Skirving read the thanks of the general meeting of the Friends of the People at Freemasons' Tavern, dated London, dated London. May, 1793, as returned by them to the convention of delegates at Edinburgh, for their zeal and activity in the cause of parlia mentary reform. He also read a similar letter from Mr. Thomas Hardy, dated London, 5th October, 1793, and another dated London, 25th October, 1793, respecting the appointment of Messrs. Margarot and Gerrald. Mr. Skirving next read a letter from Mr. D. Stuart, secretary to the association at London, dated Frith-street, No. 7. October 16, 1793. Mr. Binny read a letter from the const. society at Sheffield, dated 27th May, 1793, and signed Willm. Camade, secry. upon the objects of reform in general [and particularly Mr. Skirving next read the printed paper, contained in the said letter [entitled] addressed to the unemployed artizans, &c. of Manchester, and containing a number of excellent remarks upon the calamities of war, signed "Sidney." Mr. Clark moved that a deputation be sent this night to wait on Mr. Mujr., Messrs. Douglas, Wright, and Clark were appointed accordingly, and Mr. Douglas moved, that a [consoloter] congratulatory letter be sent to Mr. Muir, in name of the convention, which was agreed to, and Messrs. Douglas and the president were appointed a committee accordingly. Mr. Wright moved, that two members be appointed to dine with Mr. Muir every day while the convention sits, at the expense of the convention, which was unanimously agreed to. 1 The depute secretary read a letter from Henry Shipley, esq, secretary to the Nottingham delegates, with a copy of the printed resolutions of their 7th delegated meeting, signed by presd. and H. Shipley, secy. and Mr. Skirving read a copy of his answer. The Rev. Mr. Douglas moved that the Nottingham resolutions should be reprinted, with such remarks as might be judged proper, at the expence of the convention, and circulated. Mr. Newton moved some amendment. Mr. John M'Intyre also objected to the republication. Messrs. Philips, Aitchison, Wright, Boyd, and several other speakers supported the motion, whereupon the motion was agreed to, and the following committee was appointed: Messrs. Douglas, Donaldson, from Dundee.-Sands, from Perth.-Hart, from Glasgow. Chalmers, from Fife.-Boyd, from Dumfermline.-Boyd, from Kilmarnock.Mitchell, from Paisley-Messrs. Skirving, Buchanan, Callender, Binny, Clark, Edinburgh.-Millar, from Gorbals, and Mr. Hep burn, from E. Linton. Mr. Skirving moved that a [committee] collection be immediately made for defraying charges, and repeated at every meeting of the convention, which was unanimously agreed to, and Messrs. Buchanan and Binny being appointed collectors, there was collected 21. 6s. 6d. which was delivered to Mr. Skirving, in absence of the treasurer. Mr. Skirving next read a letter from the delegate meeting of the constitutional society at Leeds, dated 24th May, 1793, and signed by Mr. Charles Hundley, together with a printed copy of their [resolutions] address, declaration, and resolutions, signed by Messrs. Jos, Firth and Joseph Nutter, presd. and secy. [Mr. Geo. Ross announced that the soldiers [were under arms, and that patroles were [[on] abroad in the [streets.] And Mr. Ross moved that the lord provost and magistrates should be invited to attend our deliberations to-morrow. Mr. John Chalmers moved to present a petition to his majesty, to fall upon some expedient for obtaining a general convention of the whole nation, to consider the grievances of the people. Mr. Alexander Bremner moved that this convention draw up a few leading features of our grievances, such as corporation laws, test [law] acts, patronage, &c. which are all inimical to the natural rights and liberties of man, &c. Mr. John Sinclair moved that a subscription be set on foot for the benefit of Mr. Muir. All these motions were ordered to lie on the table. The secy. read a letter from colonel M'Leod, dated 11th May, with a copy of his answer. Whereupon Mr. Callender moved that a deputation be appointed to wait upon colonel M'Leod, to see if he stood to his principles. Mr. Callender, the rev. Mr. Douglas, Mr. Newton, and Mr. Clark were accordingly appointed to wait on the colonel. Mr. Alexander Scott moved, that every other gentleman in the same predicament ought to be waited upon, and their reasons for absenting themselves inquired into, and particularly lord Daer. Mr. Skirving vindicated lord Daer, but Mr. George Ross seconded Mr. Scott's motion, and insisted that it should be also extended to Mr. Hugh Bell. Upon further arguing, it was agreed to postpone [all] these motions till to-morrow. All the committees were appointed to meet to-morrow at 10 o'clock, and the general meeting was [adjourned till] appointed to meet to-morrow at eleven.-Mr. Callender's motion to be first discussed. Mr. Skirving read a paper, presented by Mr. Thomas Noble, setting forth, in his own name, and that of the Potter-row Society, the necessity of applying for universal suffrage and annual elections to the King, and not to the Parliament. Mr. Clark [brought] gave in a verbal report [of] from the committee appointed to wait on Mr. Muir, that they were very [gra[ciously] cordially received, and that it was his wish, that if this convention wished it, six could [wait] dine with him, but that it would be necessary to apply to the magistrates, which, after some reasoning to, was agreed to, inquire first into the fact-be done to morrow. The rev. Mr. Donaldson, the chairman, afterwards closed the meeting by a prayer, very well suited to the occasion, as well as to the times and circumstances; after which the convention was adjourned till to-morrow at eleven. - The convention appointed the committee of instruction to arrange the various motions, and report to-morrow morning. The following entries were written on a separate paper, and marked on the back No. 2, and is partly another minute of the preceding: Minutes taken in the Convention of the Friends of the People, which commenced their sittings on the 29th of October, 1793. Mason-lodge Room, Edinburgh, 29 Oct. 1793. here at noon, conformably to a call by public A great number of persons being assembled the general convention of the Friends of the advertisement, Mr. Skirving, the secretary to People, rose and said, That he found it his duty, as being the only office-bearer at present in the association, to open that respectahad now assembled from approbation of the ble meeting; that he presumed, all present mitted also by circular letters, a copy which advertisement in the newspapers, and transleave of the assembly now to read to them. he held in his hand, and which he begged Having read the public advertisement, he compliance with the call of the same. Upon requested some token that they were met in this, all present took off their hats. He then called to the chair, to preside until the conmoved, that one of the members present be vention was regularly ascertained and con firmed. stated, that as the last convention had enThis motion being approved, he tion in Edinburgh with the orderly meeting trusted the general committee of the associaof this present convention, he was authorized to propose choice, as president, during the opening of M'Intyre, A. M. to their this present convention, and he was unanimously called to the chair. M'Intyre in the chair. The commissions from the various societies to the delegates sent up to this convention, were ordered to be laid on the table, and the same were all read, and the names of the delegates, duly authorized, entered upon the roll.-The roll, containing the names of one hundred and fifty-three delegates, being called over, and no objections to it offered, the convention was declared duly assembled; and the president, upon a recommendation of the societies in Edinburgh, and which was heartily embraced by all present, rose, and in the name of the whole, returned thanks to God for this other opportunity of assembling, to assert and claim their rights and liberties; and supplicated his countenance, protection, and blessing, on this convention. It was moved, in conformity to the rules of the convention, that a president be chosen for the first sitting [of the convention], and the present chairman was continued, by the unanimous voice of the convention. |