Pierce Egan's account of the trial of John Thurtell and Joseph Hunt. With an appendix, disclosing some extraordinary facts, exclusively in the possession of the editor. With portraits, and many other illustrative engravings / [Pierce Egan].

  • Egan, Pierce, 1772-1849.
Date:
1824
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Pierce Egan's account of the trial of John Thurtell and Joseph Hunt. With an appendix, disclosing some extraordinary facts, exclusively in the possession of the editor. With portraits, and many other illustrative engravings / [Pierce Egan]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    stances before you are absolutely inconsistent with my innocence, 1 have a claim to your verdict of acquittal ? Am I not justified in saying, that you migjit come to the conclusion that all the circumstances stated might be true, and yet I be innocent? I am sure, gentlemen, you will banish from your minds any prejudice which may have been excited against me, and act upon the principle that every man is to be deemed innocent until he is proved guilty. Judge of my case, gentlemen, with mature con- sideration, and remember that my existence depends upon your breath. If you bring In a verdict of guilty, the law afterwards allows no mercy. If upon a due considera- tion of all the circumstances you shall have a doubt, the law orders, and your own consciences will teach you to give me the benefit of it. Cut me not off in the midst of my days. I implore you, gentlemen, to give my case your utmost attention. I ask not so much for myself as for those respectable parents whose name 1 bear, and who must suffer in my fate. I ask it for the sake of that home which will be rendered cheerless and desolate by my death. Gentlemen, I am incapable of any dishonour- able action. Those who know me best know that I am utterly incapable of an unjust and dishonourable action, much less of the horrid crime with which I am now charged. There is not, I think, one in this Court who does not think me innocent of the charge. If there be—to him or them, I iay in the language of the .dpostle, ** IVould to God ye were altogether such as I am, save these bonds. Gentlemen, I have now done. 1 look with confidence to your decision. I hope your verdict this day will be sue ft as you may ever after be able to think upon with a composed conscience; and that you will also reflect apon the solemn declaration which I now make—So help me God I am innocent. Thurtell pronounced this last sentence in the most emphatic manner. He raised his eyes to Heaven, and extended his arms a little, then drew them back and pressed his hands closely to bis heart. He then bowed to the Judge and Jury, and resumed his seat. His whole demeanour seemed to have created a strong feeling in his favour. The Judge then addressing himself to the prisoner Hunt said, Joseph. Hunt, it is now your time, as your counsel cannot address the Jury on your behalf, to say what you think proper in your defence ; but before you begin, the purposes of justice require that the witnesses for the other prisoner should be heard first. Mr. Samuel Wadeson was then called, and'examined by Mr. Audrews.—In the course of my profession, I became acquainted with Probert. It was when he be- came a bankrupt. I was the solicitor for the creditors. There were several •meetings and examinations. From wbat I then saw and knew of Probert, I would Toot believe him on his oath, unless his testimony was supported by other and credible evidence Mr. Haydon, examined by Mr. Piatt.—1 have known John Thurtell. The* im- pression on my mind, from my knowledge of him, is, that he is humane and kind- hearted. By the Court.—When was your last intercourse with him ?—Witness answered that he had not ceased to know and see him. He met him frequently. Captain M'Kinlay, examined by Mr. Andrews.—I am a Captain in the royal navy. (We think the witness added, that he held some situation at Greenwich, but we could not distinctly hear.) I have known John Thurtell. He served under me. He was under my command from 1812 to 1814. I was then Captain of the Bellona. He always acted with correctness as an officer. I found him cor- rect, humane, and liberal. I have not known him since 1814. Mr. W. Walmsley, who was examined by Mr. Chitty, stated, that he had known John Thurtell for the last 13 or 14 years, and that he haxl during that time always considered him a humane, well-disposed man. This was the last witness called on behalf of Thurtell. Mr. Justice Park. Joseph Hunt, I will now hear your defence if you have got any to offer. Hunt. I have a defence, which, from the extreme anxiety of mind under which I labour, I think I shall not be able to read through myself. Mr. Ju&tice Park. You had better hand it to the officer of the court, and allow him to read it. Hunt accordingly gave a paper to one of the sheriff's officers, who put it into the hands of Mr. Kuapp, the clerk of the arraigns. That gentleman proceeded immediately to read it. It was as follows :— My Lord,—Having, under a positive assurance that I should be admitted a witness for the crown, made a full and true confession of all the facts within my knowledge respecting this horrible and melancholy event, and having implicitly relied on the good faith of the magistrates for the due performance of their so-