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Whig party. The following passage shows the temper in which 
the gentlemen were asked to sit down to the trial of the prisoners. 
It is only fair it should be borve in mind that at this time James 
the Second’s son was actually in Scotland, and half that kingdom 
in the hands of his armed followers. ‘‘ While the Bishop of 
Rome has disciples among us, we must expect designs against 
our religion and liberties ; and without all doubt, ’tis our Wisdom 
and Interest to observe their motions with all possible care and 
vigilance. Their separate strength indeed is not very formidable, 
but by their restless Application, and the Influence of their 
Kstates, in this and a few other countries, they are capable of 
disturbing the Publick Peace, as we find by the late Insurrection. 
: The nation seems now to have an Opportunity of 
putting it out of the Power of our enemies, so much as to 
threaten us with Danger for the ‘lime to come.” He further 
says ‘“‘that it is necessary that justice should be done to the 
present Rebellion,”’ and asks ‘‘how far favour or impunity to such 
persons may effect the peace and felicity of this Kingdom . : 
and especially because we cannot be ignorant how far jesuitical 
evasious of oaths and other obligations to the government have 
of late been in reputation among us.’ He lays the blame for 
the outbreak on the laxity in punishing the late riots and tumults 
in the country, and hints that many were ready and willing to 
joim the enemy but for ‘the late seasonable Victory.’’ In the 
assize that followed probably 74 persons were tried and con- 
demned, and most, if not all,- were executed either in Liverpool, 
or sent in batches to the towns of Manchester, Preston, Wigan, 
Garstang, or Lancaster. Three—Wm,. Harris, shoemaker, 
Stephen Seager, Jos. Porter, labourers, Burnley—were executed 
at Manchester, February 11th, 1716. 
On the 24th day of May following we again find the Rev. 
Samuel Peploe preaching a sermon before Judge Dormer at 
Lancaster. It is a most remarkable disquisition from an un- 
doubtedly able man, and shows to what an extent it is possible 
prejudice may blind a partisan. He attributes the civil wars and 
the death of Charles I. to Catholic designs to subvert the Pro- 
testant religion and government. Again, according to his theory, 
after the Restoration, ‘‘ they early obtain’d this step to gain their 
point, viz, in preventing that Prince who then came to the 
throne having any legal issue.’ He hints that the Papists 
caused the death of Charles II., and argues at length against 
Popery and its intolerance. He then turns to the providential 
preservation of William III on all occasions, the glory of Anne’s 
reign, till a change was wrought by the wicked designs of the 
High Church Tory party who betrayed their country in foreign 
parts, and had not the Queen died before they had concluded. 
their designs would have done so at home. Speaking of the 
