Thomas Smart and Charles Bissex, watchmen in Grosvenor-square, were next called. They were followed by Hector Morrison, servant to Mr. Underwood, the cutler; Henry Gillan, of Mount-street, Grosvenor-square; Edward Simpson, James Aldous (pawnbroker), John Monument, and Thomas Hyden, who communicated the plot to Lord Harrowby. The last witness, in cross-examination, said, that he had known Wilson for a long time. He agreed to join in the plot to save himself. One evening at his friend Clark’s he was accused of not supporting the committee, and Davidson said, “those that did not come forward would be the men that they would first murder.” This made him agree to what Wilson said.
He knew a man named Bennet, but he never did ask him to attend ‘a private radical meeting.’ He believed, he said, he might speak or not speak when he was there, as he chose. He did not say “Radical meeting,” nor did he say that he must take up arms, if he were called upon so to do; he did not recollect saying so; he had no recollection that he ever did say so.
In re-examination, witness said he had been twice at a shoemakers’-club, where he saw Davidson, Wilson, and Harrison. This club was held at a public-house, called the Scotch Arms, in a court in the Strand. He asked Bennet to go there with him, and Clark; that was four or five or six months ago.
Thomas Monument, Lord Harrowby, and John Baker, his Lordship’s butler, were next examined, in confirmation of the former witnesses; and these were followed by the officers and other persons who were present at the occurrences in Cato-street, and the subsequent arrest of Brunt and Thistlewood.
Tidd, in reference to Ruthven’s evidence, said, that Ruthven, on searching him, had said, “Curse me, here’s nothing here but a tobacco-box.”
Ruthven, on being asked by Mr. Baron Garrow, denied that he had made use of any such expression.
The Attorney-General now addressed their Lordships, and stated, “that the case for the Crown had now been concluded, with the exception of producing the arms and ammunition found in Cato-street and elsewhere. As it was now late, (five o’clock) the Court would perhaps defer the production of these things till the next morning.”
Mr. Baron Garrow:—“Gentlemen of the Jury, the case for the prosecution is now closed, all but the production of the arms. If by sitting late there were any probability of bringing the trial to a close this night, I should consult you as to the propriety of doing so; but as we cannot finish it by sitting late, and thereby exhausting ourselves, this is the best time for adjourning.”
Davidson stood up and addressed the Court:—“My Lord, as I have been taken by surprise, I am quite unprepared with my witnesses. I hope you will allow my wife to see me this night, that notice may be given them to attend.”
Mr. Baron Garrow:—“The Court has no power to make any order on the subject you have mentioned; but I can say that care will be taken that any proper person may be admitted to you for any proper purpose.”