Page:Statement of facts relating to the trespass on the printing press in the possession of Mr. William Lyon Mackenzie, in June, 1826.djvu/32

 young men—that they are not lawless characters is best proved by appealing to the whole tenor of their lives, and by putting the single question, upon whose property did they ever trespass before?

Not satisfied with abusing us first—then suing us, and then, after obtaining satisfaction, returning to the subject and abusing us again, Mr. Mackenzie has thought it would be a good stroke of policy, to insinuate at least, that the Government, the Magistrates, the Crown Officers and others, were all concerned in the outrage—and, if he can make any one believe it, the truth or falsehood of the statement, is not likely, as every one knows, to give him much concern. He has, accordingly, thrown out certain hints for the public suspicion to work upon, and then affects to regret, that his Counsel would not allow him upon the trial to attempt to prove the truth of his assertions, telling him very gravely, that it would hurt his cause.—They knew it would, and so did he; for, not a question could have been asked with that view, that would not have proved at once, upon oath, the injustace and the malice of his own insinuations. He thought it better, therefore, to confine his calumny to his paper, and say nothing about the proofs.

On this head I feel it right to state, truly and plainly, with respect to Mr. Allan, who is a Magistrate, and Mr. Heward, who is not, and I believe never has been, that I neither saw them, nor knew they were in view. The transaction took place just at that time, in a Summer afternoon, at which people are usually to be seen standing or walking near their doors.—The house of Mr. Allan is immediately opposite to the Advocate office—the house of Mr. Heward near and in sight, though more distant—the Attorney General's office stands between them.

Had Mr. Allan and Mr. Heward been in the street, before we entered the house, I am convinced I should have seen them; but