John Bennett deposed, that he knew Hyden; he called on him to ask him to accompany him to a private radical meeting. He endeavoured to persuade him to go more than ten times. He told him, that he might hear and see what was doing; but he need not speak unless he liked.
Several witnesses were now called to the general character of the prisoners.
Mr. Cook, of Charlotte-street, Blackfriars’-road, knew Davidson six years ago; he then worked for him, and was an industrious hard-working man. He had not known much of him since.
Mr. M’William, an architect, knew Davidson at Aberdeen, in the years 1800 and 1801; he was then studying mathematics; he had only seen him three or four times since in the streets, and was surprised to have been called on to give him a character. Davidson was, at the time he was at Aberdeen, an apprentice to a cabinet-maker. He had been at college, and had, in Mr. M’William’s estimation, “a gigantic mind.”
Stephen Hale, William French, and Samuel Lands, spoke to the general correctness of the conduct of Tidd in private life. He was an honest, industrious, hard-working man, and apparently much attached to his family. Other witnesses were expected, but did not attend.
Mr. Adolphus addressed the Jury on behalf of the prisoners. His speech was marked by an acute examination of the whole of the evidence, a just and forcible reprobation of the atrocity of a betraying accomplice, and an energetic and powerful appeal to the Jury, not to condemn men on the evidence of an avowed conspirator, who had broken the bonds of society, forfeited his allegiance to his Sovereign, and his duty to God. The learned gentleman, in the course of a very eloquent speech of an hour and a half, remarked that it would be the last time he should appear on these trials.
Baron Garrow then addressed the prisoner as follows:—“William Davidson, the law of England, in its excessive tenderness to persons indicted for high treason, has allowed them privileges of defence not extended to other cases. If, therefore, in addition to the able defence of your Counsel, you wish to say any thing, now is the time. Do it deliberately, and the Court will hear you attentively.”
Davidson then rose, greatly agitated, and spoke nearly as follows:—“I am much obliged to your Lordship, and will call your attention to a few particulars in this instance. My Lord, from my life up, I have always maintained the character of an industrious and inoffensive man. I have no friends in England, but have always depended upon my own exertions for support. I have an extensive family, and for their sake alone is my life a value to me.
“The charge which has been brought against me, I can lay my hand upon my heart, and, in the presence of that God whom I revere, say I am not guilty of. Concerning how I came in possession of the blunderbuss I will state. I had a friend, whose name is Williamson, who told me he had bought an old blunderbuss, which was all over rust. He was going to the Cape of Good Hope, and gave it to me to clean.
“I have been doing business for myself for the last five years, and that is the reason I cannot bring any more of my employers than Mr. Cook to speak in my behalf. To Mr. Edwards I owe being brought into this situation. I never knew any thing of him till I attended Mr. Hunt’s procession; that was the first time I ever went into public in my life. Mr. Edwards told me that he would take me to a place to have this blunderbuss raffled for. When I went to the place, I there saw Mr. Thistlewood for the second time; I had previously seen him at Mr. Hunt’s dinner. I saw Mr. Adams there also, but I knew none of the others. Mr. Edwards proposed to commence raffling for the blunderbuss; but, as they did not put down any money, I would not agree. I then heard a great deal of improper language, and would not stop.