Ere I conclude this chapter, I may be permitted to supply one example of the way in which the judges tried to scrape up evidence against the unfortunate ex-minister. On the same day when the Russian minister, Filosofow, insulted Struensee so grossly, as has been already recorded, a report was spread that the latter had quarrelled with one of the first gentlemen in the land, and treacherously assailed him, sword in hand; but this rumour died out as rapidly as it had been propagated. After the arrest of Struensee, and the difficulty felt of proving the already resolved death-sentence by credible testimony, the president of the court, Justiciary Baron von Juel-Wind, went to this gentleman, and asked him if he were disposed to bring a charge against Struensee before the commission? The gentleman nobly rejected such a proposal, and answered, that he was accustomed to pity the unfortunate, and not increase their misery; besides, there was not the slightest truth in the rumour.
This proves that even Wiwet's diatribes were not considered sufficient evidence of Struensee's guilt, and that every opportunity was sought to bolster up the case. It is very possible, however, that the judges were more successful with other witnesses whom they tried to suborn, and therefore the evidence, such as it is, ought to be regarded with extra suspicion.
CHAPTER XII.
A LUKEWARM DEFENCE.
ULDALL'S SPEEDY REPLY—BREACH OF THE LAW—WEAK ARGUMENTS—PERSONALITIES APPEALED AGAINST—EXPLANATIONS—AN APPEAL TO MERCY—FALCKENSKJOLD'S OPINION OF THE AFFAIR—REVERDIL SPEAKS HIS MIND—CONDUCT OF THE FAVOURITES—THE BRIBE TO HOLCK—COUNT BERNSTORFF—THE FISCAL GENERAL'S REPLY—A SAVAGE OPPONENT.
On the very next day after Wiwet's indictment was handed in to the commission, the following written defence was delivered to the judges.
It is clear that Advocate Uldall could not have produced a reply to the indictment so quickly unless the accusation had been delivered to him beforehand, which was not only a breach of the law, and proves the haste with which condemnation and execution were desired, but also supplies a further and striking proof of the plans of the conspirators. After they had thrown their victims into chains, they hurried to play out the judicial farce, and shed the blood for which they thirsted.