TRIAL OF PATRICK SELLAR. 169 



the libel is relevant, the panel denies its truth ; the whole 

 of the charges are utterly false, in so much so, that the 

 Prosecutor is not only unable to bring any sufficient evidence 

 in support of his own accusations, but the panel will bring 

 positive proof against them. The panel will prove, that 

 the ejectments which have given rise to this trial, were done 

 in due order of law, and, under the warrants of the proper 

 Judge, issued on regular process. Farther, he will prove, 

 that great indulgence was shown to the tenants, even after 

 they had resisted the regular decrees of the Judge; that 

 nothing was done on his part, or with his knowledge or 

 approval, either cruel, oppressive, or illegal : That he com- 

 mitted no acts of homicide ; and, on the whole, he will 

 prove, that throughout every part of this affair, he (the 

 panel) has been the victim, not only of the most unfounded 

 local prejudices, but of long continued and active defamation, 

 on the part of certain persons, who have made it their busi- 

 ness to traduce the whole system of improvements introduced 

 into the Sutherland estate, and to vilify the panel, by whom, 

 they have been pleased to suppose, that these improvements 

 have been partly conducted. He rejoices, however, in the 

 first opportunity, which has now been afforded to him, of 

 meeting these calumnies and prepossessions in a Court of 

 Justice, and relying, as he does, with implicit confidence on 

 the candour and dispassionate attention of a British Jury, 

 he has no doubt whatever of being able to establish his 

 complete innocence of all the charges now brought against 



him. 



" Under protestation to add and eik. 



" J. GORDON. 



" H. COCKBURN. 



" PAT. ROBERTSON." 



