At the conclusion of the trial of Tidd and Davidson,
Mr. Curwood addressed the Court, intimating a desire, on the part of James Wilson, to withdraw his plea of misnomer to the indictment against him for high treason, and to plead “Guilty,” and the Attorney-General stating that he had no objection to this course,
James Wilson was put to the bar, and, on being questioned by Mr. Shelton, pleaded Guilty.
Mr. Walford then said, he was instructed to make a similar tender on the part of the five remaining prisoners, and
Mr. Baron Garrow directed the prisoners to be brought to the bar.
John Harrison, Richard Bradburn, John Shaw Strange, James Gilchrist, and Charles Cooper, were then brought into the Court, and
Mr. Walford again addressed his lordship, and said that he had watched, with great diligence, the whole of these proceedings, and from what had passed under his observation, he thought he should best consult the interests of the five unhappy men at the bar, for whom, with his learned friend (Mr. Broderick), he was counsel, by recommending them to acknowledge the deepness of their offending, and to throw themselves on the leniency of their Sovereign, who, he was persuaded, would follow the steps of his revered father, by tempering justice with mercy.
Mr. Broderick said, he too had watched with the most anxious solicitude the progress of the trials which had taken place upon this indictment, and he felt satisfied that he could not better consult the interests of the prisoners, than by adopting the course suggested by his learned friend. These unfortunate men were desirous of making the only reparation in their power to the offended laws of their country, by acknowledging their guilt. They did not ask for mercy, but they entertained a hope that their contrition would have the desired effect, and would induce an extension towards them of that brightest attribute in the person of the Sovereign.
Mr. Baron Garrow then explained to the prisoners the situation in which they stood, and that their plea must be received without any pledge on his part, and with a full understanding that they were to receive judgment to die.
They all expressed their concurrence in what had been said by their counsel, and, having withdrawn their previous plea of Not Guilty, they pleaded Guilty, and were removed from the bar; and the gentlemen of the Jury were dismissed with the thanks of their country.