600 
Dean, two’ soldiers totally uncon 
nected with the conspirators, and 
indifferent witnesses. ‘Their  testi- 
mony perfectly agreed with that of 
Windsor. If you, therefore, be- 
lieve Emblyn and Windsor, there is 
an end of the question. You have 
also-heard the high chara¢ter given 
him by a man, on whom, to pro- 
nounce an eulogy, were to waste 
words ; -but you are to consider 
whether a change has not taken 
place since the period he speaks of. 
lf you do not believe the witnesses, 
then he will stand exempted from 
the consequences of the charge im- 
puted to him ; 
them, as there is no question upon 
the law, so here will be none upen 
the aét. Gentlemen, you will con- 
sider of your verdiét.”’ 
The jury withdrew for about half 
an hour: when they returned, Mr. 
Knapp, having called them over by 
their respeétive names, to which 
they answered— 
ile then said—** How say you, 
Gentlemen, are you agreed in your 
verdict ? Is Marcus Edward Des- 
pard guilty of the treason where- 
with he stands charged, or not 
guilty 2” 
The foreman replied, 
but we earnestly recommend him to 
mercy, on account of his former 
good charaéter, and the services he 
has rendered his country.” 
Lord Ellenborough bowed. 
After the verdiét was given, there 
‘was a silent pause for a few mo- 
ments; after which, the prisoner 
was ordered to be taken away, and 
the court was adjourned about three 
in the morning. 
The prisoner, during the whole of 
the trial, appeared very composed ; 
nor nt he exhibit any marks of 
¢ ouilty 5 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 
but if you do believe © 
Jicio, 
1803. 
agitation when the Sonia was (res 
turned. 
The court was seh 
crowded, but the speétators behav- 
ed, the whole day, with great deco 
rum and attention,* 
Trial of Jean Peltier, for publishing 
in phe: a Periodical Work, 
a Libel on Napoleon Bonapar te, 
First Consul of the French Res 
public. Tried in the Court of 
King’s Bench, Westminster; Feb. 
21, 1803, before Lord Ellenbo- 
rough and a Special Jury. 
The information was filed by his 
majesty’s attorney-general, ex of- 
and stated, ** That peace 
existed between N, Bonaparte and 
our lord the king; but that M. 
Peltier, intending to destroy the 
friendship so existing, and to de. 
spoil said Napoleon of his consular 
dignity, did devise, print, and pub- 
lish, in the French language, to the 
tenor following,” &c. which words, 
translated into English, will be found 
in the attorney-general’s speech. 
The attorney-general- began by 
observing on the degree of curiosity 
which had crowded the court with 
an extraordinary audience, He 
should be very sorry if that cu- 
riosity was excited by any view it 
was supposed he might take of the 
words upon which he had founded 
the indictment : nothing of | that 
kind was in his intention. He should 
go into a dry discussion ; and the 
principles to which he should refer 
were obvious and simple. After 
passing a number of high encomiums 
on the counsel for defendant, he 
doubted whether it was in the 
power of that gentleman (Mr. 
Mackintosh ) 
= Fide C Renee, for the execution and behaviour of the culprit, and “ Cuanacrers” 
for some further account of hin, , 
