The Lord Chief-Justice Abbott, after the Commissioners were all seated, rose, and presented to Mr. Shelton the indictments which had been found under the Special Commission, for the purpose of having them tried under the General Session of Oyer and Terminer, and Gaol Delivery, then holden in that Court.
Mr. Shelton, on receiving them, immediately gave directions to Mr. Brown, the gaoler, to bring up his prisoners.
The prisoners were then brought into court, each man accompanied by a constable, and placed at the back part of the dock.
Arthur Thistlewood entered first; he looked pale and dejected. He was dressed in a black coat and velvet collar, light-coloured waistcoat, blue trowsers, and shoes. None of the prisoners were either handcuffed or bolted. The other men were decently clad, according to their means, and appeared cleanly and healthful. The whole being assembled,
Mr. Clarke, the deputy clerk of the arraigns, proceeded to call over their names from the back of the bill found for high treason, preparatory to
THE ARRAIGNMENT.
Arthur Thistlewood first came forward, and was desired to hold up his hand. Having complied with this direction, he was placed at the bar. William Davidson (the man of colour), James Ings, John Thomas Brunt, and Richard Tidd, were then called, and went through the same ceremony.
Upon coming to the name of James William Wilson, Wilson, who remained with the other prisoners, did not answer. The name was twice repeated, but still he took no notice. One of the turnkeys then addressed him personally, and said, “Come forward, Wilson,” to which he replied, “That is not my name.”
Mr. Curwood now stated to the Court, that he was Counsel for some of the prisoners, and that it was intended to put in a plea of misnomer as to this man.
The Lord Chief Justice.—That must be done when the indictment is read, and when the prisoner is called on to plead.