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The Only Edition with an Appendix, Which Offers a "Particular Account of the Execution" [Trial]. Despard, Edward Marcus [1751-1803], Primary Defendant. The Whole Proceedings on the Trials of Col. Despard, And the Other State Prisoners, Before a Special Commission, At the New Sessions House, Horsemonger Lane, Southwark, Feb. 7 and 9, 1803; Including the Indictment, The Evidence on Both Sides, And the Speeches of Counsel. To Which are Prefixed Original and Authentic Memoirs of Col. Despard, And Lord Ellenborough's Eloquent Charge to the Grand Jury. With an Appendix, Containing the Behaviour of the Convicts, And a Particular Account of the Execution. London: Printed by W. Flint, Old Bailey; For R. Bent [et al.], [1803]. iv, 70, [3]-12 pp. Octavo (8-1/4" x 5"; 21.2 x 13 cm). Disbound pamphlet. Moderate toning, light soiling to exterior, occasional unobtrusive light foxing, ink notation of price paid to foot of title page, longer annotation in an early hand to its verso. $150. * Fourth stated edition, the only one with an appendix. After a brilliant military career in the West Indies, Colonel Despard was made superintendent of the Bay of Honduras (present-day Belize), which was the site of significant British logging concessions. To the dismay of the local aristocrats, Despard distributed land by lottery and without regard to distinctions of race, religion or social class. Their complaints led to his dismissal and several lawsuits, which put him in debtors' prison for two years. Financially ruined and bitter, he came to resent the establishment. He joined the radical London Corresponding Society and revolutionary United Irishman and took part in a plot to organize uprisings in London and Ireland. After the plot was foiled, Despard and six others were convicted of treason. A highlight during the trial was Lord Admiral Nelson's testimony as a character witness on Despard's behalf. Despard and his co-conspirators share the dubious distinction of being the last men in Great Britain sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered, the form of execution given to convicted traitors since 1283. However, the king commuted their sentences to death by hanging followed by decapitation. This is a scarce edition. OCLC locates 1 copy in a North American law library (University of Minnesota). Chase, "Despard, Edward Marcus," Oxford Dic.
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