Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 16.pdf/585

 532

for riot. Subsequently the government re solved to change the charge to treason. Watson was accordingly placed on trial for treason in compassing the king's death, in intending his deposition, in levying war upon him, and in forcing him to change his meas ures and counsels (32 St. Tr. i.). The prose cution was conducted by the law officers, Shepherd and Gifford, and the defense by Copley and Wetherell. According to the evidence, the placard calling the second

dividuals. They were ill-informed of the ob ject of their meeting; it was not to plunder persons suffering in these calamitous times in common with others; the day will soon arrive when the distress will be relieved. The nation's wrongs must be redressed." With the exception of the vague attempt to seduce the Tower garrison there was, however, nothing in the facts of the case to warrant the charge of treason. The ease with which the mob was checked showed tRat it was des-

meeting was headed, "England expects every man to do his duty." After stating that the object of the meet ing was to receive the Regent's answer, it went on to call attention to the distress of the millions and the luxury of the few. "Ar rogance and folly have brought the nation to this. Firmness and integrity can alone save the country." "After the last meeting," continued the notice, "some disorderly peo ple were guilty of attacking property or in-

titute of cohesion. Aside from some sus picious papers found on the prisoner, the prosecution relied mainly upon the testi mony of an informer named Castle. This man was a typical specimen of a class much in evidence in the State prosecutions of the time. He professed to be a smith, but had not worked at that trade for twelve years past. He had previously been twice under arrest, once for passing forged bank notes, and in both cases had turned informer. Ser