Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser

High Treason.

Old Bailey, Oct. 25.

This morning the following persons, viz. Thomas Hardy, Mathew Moore, John Horne Tooke, John Thelwall, T. Augustus Bonney, Richard Hodgson, Stewart Kydd, John Richter, Rev. Jeremiah Joyce, John Martin, Thomas Wardle, Hilliard, John Baxter, Philip Franklow, and Thomas Holcroft, Thomas Spence, were put to the bar, in order to be arraigned for high treason, pursuant to the bills found by the grand jury against them.

Mr. Horne Tooke, mentioned some matter which he apprehended should if insisted upon, appear sufficient ground for refusing to plead at that time to the indictment; but wishing to throw no delay in the way of the trial, which he was confident would terminate in his acquittal, he waved any objections and plead.

Mr. Thelwall and Mr. Bonney, both observed to the court, that being falsely described in the indictment, they might quash it; but being anxious to have their characters vindicated to the world, agreed to plead.

They were accordingly arraigned.

Mr. Horne Tooke informing the court, that by means of his removal from the Tower to Newgate, he was prevented from a consultation with his counsel; and Mr. Thelwall also saying, that his trunk with the books and papers necessary to his defence, had been detained in the Tower, on his removal thence, hoped that the court would indulge them with a postponement; which the attorney general agreeing to, the court appointed Thursday for the commencement of the trials.

A general complaint being made by the prisoners, of the rigorous confinement under which they were kept, without air or light; in places where they could not rest by night, or breathe by day requested that the court would interfere, and soften the severity of their situation.

Chief Justice Eyre, with great feeling, declared he was sorry that it was not within the province of the court to redress their complaint; but presumed to say, and indeed recommended it to the sheriff, to do every thing consistent with the situation of the prisoners, to render their confinement less rigorous. Upon which one of the sheriffs rose, and declared that he would do every thing in his power to comply with the recommendation of the court.

About eleven o'clock the court adjourned, it having sat one hour.