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EVIDENCE FOR THE CROWN.

tody; he said that it must be so, and it could

not be done without it, and that he was a re. William Goodman sworn.—Examined by Mr.

publican, and gloried in being so. Silvester.

Mr. Chairman. What did he say when you You are, I believe, a victualler?-Yes. told him that if he repeated those words you Do you know Briellat?-Yes.

would take him into custody ?-He did not reWhat is he?-A pump-maker.

peat the words, but said, it must be so, it Where does he live? –His house is in Holy could not be otherwise, il could not be done well-street, and he has a house in Hackney- without. road. A short time previous to the meeting Mr. Chairman. And that he was a republiof the parish of si. Leonard, Shoreditch, can?-Yes, and gloried in being so; I told against the republicans and levellers, Mr. him he was a very bad man, and desired he Briellat came to my house at seven o'clock in would never enter my room again. the evening, or between seven and eight. You told him you did not desire to see him After the usual compliments to the company in your house again ?-Yes, he told me he he said, that he had been robbed of the tree should come whenever he pleased. of liberty, which he would not have lost for Has he ever been in the house sinces two guineas; there was no more to be got, No. and that it was a valuable piece, and ought You did not take him

up

then?_No. to be stuck up in all Christian families. The When was it that you gave the information conversation then turned upon how they were of this, and upon what account ?-In conseto dispose of the king, our king.

quence of the information I had received on Whom was Briellat talking to ?-I believe the 22d of October last; I believe two days Mr. Davis was there, and six or seven other previous to the meeting in Hackney-road, persons.

which was I believe on Thursday. Was any thing said before that?-Not that What meeting do you mean?-A meeting I know of; there was some gentleman said of persons to get at the minds of the people, the king had lived a lazy life a long time; and to reduce the taxes. that he thought he ought to work for his Was there a meeting there?-Yes, in Hackliving: another person said he had not been ney-road, in the house of Briellat, and in his brought up to work, consequently he could field likewise. not work for his living: Briellat, less merciful That was on the 24th, was it?— Yes, on than any of them, said, I would have all the Thursday the 24th. male branches put to death.

What number of persons were assembled ? Of whom?--The royal family. The fe- - There were, to the best of my knowledge, males should have a small allowance, and be two or three hundred persons, as far as I confined so that they should do no mischief; could judge. the company present, part of them, however, Among them did you see Briellat?-Yes, I expressed a great deal of indignation at what saw him two different times, once in the one Briellat had said, and that is all that I re- pair of stairs room, and I saw him in the yard, collect passed at that time. I recollect one standing upon a table I believe, however, more circumstance, that he said to a Mr. Tate exalted upon something. of the Borough. that we were fools; he said What was he doing? --Attempting to speak, what we were about to do was for the good I believe, but I did not hear what he said, I of posterity:

saw his mouth move. Mr. Chairman. That who were fools?-) You were informed on Tuesday, that the Meaning the people that opposed him at the meeting was to be on Thursday?-Yes. time, that he being an old man might not In consequence of that information what reap any benefit from it, but his children did you do?-On the information of Mr. would if he had any.

Wells, he expressed a great deal of uneasiWhat was it that they were to reap benefit ness for his country, and was alarmed, thinkfrom?-From an alteration, a revolution. ing he would be the first person singled out

Do you recollect the very words ?—I don't for destruction. I told him I would go to inrecollect.

form the magistrates; I went that instant and Try and recollect ?-From a reduction of gave information at Worship-street: they detaxes.

sired me to bring the persons who informed Mr. Vaughan. When was this?-A short me next morning time previous to the 12th of December, 1792. You informed them on the 22nd ?-Yes.

On the 12th you saw him again?—Yes, he The magistrates were active, I believe, with came into my house I believe about nine their constables in dispersing them ?-Yes, I o'clock at night, in company with a Mr. Ben- believe four or five magistrates attended and son a tobacconist; he then said that a refor- dispersed them. mation could not be effected without a revo- You were alarmed as well as the rest of your lution.

neighbours? Yes, Mr. Wells was particularly Jury. What time was that?-On the 12th alarmed. of December, 1792 ; I told him that if he re- You know Mr. Alport the seedsman ? peated those words, I would take him into cus- Yes,

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Was he present?-He was present when Briellat said a reformation could not be effected without a revolution.

He was a respectable man in that neighbourhood?-No man more so.

William Goodman cross-examined by Mr. Vaughan.

This conversation that you have been relating to us was so long ago as in January last? In December, last.

And from that time to this, till the time you gave the information at least, you never thought it necessary to say any thing to any person in authority?-No.

Never at all. You are a very loyal man, and yet you kept that a secret all this time?

-Yes.

What employment have you besides that of a publican and victualler?-That is the only thing I get my bread by.

Are you not a police officer?-Yes.

You did not think it necessary at all to give information to any magistrate, though you were a peace officer?--I did think it necessary, but I thought the exertions of government might be sufficient to convince Mr. Briellat of his errors.

And you who were an officer of government did not?-No.

You keep a public-house, and saw Briellat there upon the 12th of December last?Yes.

What time of the day did he come on the 12th of December ?—It was, I believe, a little after nine.

Morning or evening?-Evening.

You are a publican, and endeavour to be very entertaining, I doubt not to your customers; you drink with them, don't you?No. I do not drink in the parlour once in a month.

Did not you exceed a little that day in drink? -No.

You were not at all in liquor any part of the time Briellat was in your company?--Perfectly sober as I am now.

How were you dressed at the time this conversation passed ?--I cannot tell what coloured coat I had on.

Had you any coat on at all during the time he staid there?-Yes,

Had you your shirt on ?—Yes.

During the whole time that he was there; now tell us what time he came there?-About nine or a little after, and I believe did not go away till after twelve.

From nine to twelve Briellat was present; during that time this conversation passed that you tell us of?—Yes.

What part of the conversation do you particularly recollect to have passed; was it this first part?-No, that was previous to this day.

On the same day?—No.

This conversation about the royal family, was that on the 12th of December?-No.

Sometime before perhaps?—I believe it was some days previous.

Then all that passed at this meeting was that a reformation could not be effected without a revolution?-He said that it must be, when I told him I would take him into custody, it must be so, and it could not be done without, and that he was a republican, and gloried in being so.

I see you are now willing to tell us all that passed though you were not so willing some time ago. Who was present besides Mr. Alport?-Mr. Eden.

Any body else?-Yes, but I do not imme diately recollect.

Do you recollect Mr. Pointer?-Yes.
Mr. Benson?—Yes.

And they of course heard all that you heard? - I suppose so.

What part of the room were you in?→ Sometimes in one part and sometimes in the other.

And yet this conversation was very short? This was very late in the evening, and I was not much in the room.

This was cold weather, you were about the fire I suppose?—No.

Then the conversation was not near the fire?-The table was near the fire.

Consequently these persons were collected round?--Yes.

And you amongst the rest?-No. Then how did you hear it?-I was present in another part of the room.

At a distance from the company to wait upon them, were they eating or drinking?Drinking.

And you take upon yourself upon your oath, to swear, that from nine to twelve you were by no means affected by liquor?—At no

time at all.

You have told us a great deal about this meeting at Hackney, and have been so good as to tell us that it was to work upon the minds of the people, now I ask you upon your oath, what reason you have to say that it was to work upon the minds of the people?From the information of Mr. Wills and Mr. Benson.

But you assert as fact that it was so; did you see any writing of Mr. Briellat's, that said it was to be so, did you see any thing signed with Briellat's name or any body else that told you it was to work upon the minds of the people?—I had it from Mr. Wills.

Did you see any writing of that kind?—I did not.

Signed by Mr. Briellat? or did you hear any words of that kind spoken by Mr. Briellat? No, I never had any conversation with him upon this subject.

Nor heard him say that was the purpose of the meeting?-No.

Upon your oath don't you know the purpose of the meeting was to petition for a reform in parliament, or take some measure for that purpose?-No, that report was given there, but not by Bricllat.

You know such a report was given ?-Not npon till yesterday, and therefore I can only to me.

speak to what I can recollect, and I shall say You never heard that from any body I sup- no more than I can recollect clearly: what pose?-No.

was the most pointed at in Briellat's converWho told you it was for the reduction sation, and what I took most notice of was, of taxes? (I don't know that there was any that he said he was a republican, and he crime in that) who told you that?--From in-owned he was a republican, and that there formation of Mr. Wills.

could be no reformation in this country with. Who is he?-A hair-dresser.

out a revolution, and that is the substance of And so this loyal hair-dresser was very what I recollect. much affected by this? -Yes, and very justly. Did he say any thing about kings? I don't

And Wills gave you all these notions about recollect any thing particularly about the this being to work upon the minds of the peo- king; he was speaking in general terms that ple?-Yes.

the king and royal family were a great exWills was an alarmist, and very much frigh- pense to the country, and mentioned the ges tened for his family?-Yes.

neral drift of the discourse. You say several magistrates were present You saw this meeting in October last at this meeting ?-- Yes.

Yes, I walked up the road out of curiosity; Don't you know that notice was given to there were a vast number of people assemsuch magistrates, and that their attendance bled. was particularly desired by the people who In what field ?-In a little field or piece of ordered the meeting ? -No.

ground behind Briellat's house, more like a You have heard all on one side I see. large yard than any thing else.

Mr. Silvester. This is near Spitalfields, is Did you see Briellat there ?-Yes. it not?-No, in Hackney road.

Did you see him upon the table ?-I don't Very near Spitalfields, is it not?-Yes. immediately recollect seeing him upon the

There are 10,000 manufacturers there I table; but I think towards the latter end of suppose ?--Yes, and 5 or 6,000 out of employ. the business he was, but I will not speak po

Were you a regular officer of the police ? -- sitively to that; I saw him upon the steps of Only an extra police officer, being an house- the back-door, and at different parts of the keeper.

premises. Don't you live by the office?-No, we used to go out once a week, and frequent the dit

Cross-examined by Mr. Gurney. ferent public-houses, and for no other purpose. Tell us what persons were present at this Dir. Alport sworn, and examined by Mr. Sil- conversation in December last?-I will as

near as I can recollect, myself, Briellat, Benvester.

son, Adams, and Goodman. You are a nursery-man I believe at Hack- Was a Mr. Pointer there?--Mr. Pointer, ney? -Yes, in the Hackney-road.

junior, was there. A gardener, nursery-man and seedsman ?- What time might you stay together?Yes.

About three hours. Do you know Briellat ?-Yes.

You stated before, that Briellat came about He is a pump-maker? --Yes.

nine or a little after nine?-Yes. Were you present on the 12th of December Was Goodman in the room all the time? at Goodman's-house? --Yes.

No, he came occasionally backwards and forWhat passed, what did you hear Briellat wards. say? - Briellat came in with a Mr. Benson Was he perfectly sober all the time ?-Yes, about nine o'clock in the evening, a conver- I believe he was. sation soon after took place respecting the No sort of high words arose between him meeting at Merchant-Taylor's-hall

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and Briellat?-Yes; upon Briellat's making A meeting of the merchants that was held use of the words I have related, that he was a there? – Yes, at Merchant Taylor's-hall; also republican, and he owned it, and was certain about a meeting at the church, when they there could be no reformation without a revocame to a resolution to support the constitu- lution, Goodman resented it, and said, he tion of this country; a little altercation took did not want him to come to his house; that place between Bricllat, Benson, and myself; he would not draw him any liquor, and there they contended that those persons who signed was a great deal of altercation took place. their names at Merchant-Taylor's-hall, had Did he not strip himself to fight?-I benot a right to sign their names at the church, lieve he did pull off his coat. and the discourse ran a little high, some Did he go any further than pulling his coat speaking against the administration of this off, did he not pull off his shirt ? --I do not country, and I and some others contending recollect that. for it.

You saw this meeting at Briellat's in HackMr. Gurney. Repeat the last words. ney-road ?—Yes. They were rather warm, Briellat was con- You say Briellat was towards the close of tending that the administration was not as the meeting upon the table?-i cannot speak it ought to be. I never expected to be called positively.

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Did you hear what he said, when he stood upon the table?—No, I did not.

Mr. Silvester. Goodman did this at the time?—Yes.

And said, though he was a customer, he should not come to his house again, and should have no more liquor?—Yes. Joseph Adams sworn.--Examined by Mr. Sil

vester.

You are a baker ?--Yes.

A master baker, and live in Holywellstreet? Yes.

Was you at Goodman's on the 12th of December last?-I cannot say as to the date. Was it at the time when Alport was there? -Yes.

About the time of the meeting at the church? I do not know any thing of that meeting

Goodman is a publican?--Yes. Were you there with Goodman and Hindle, and several other people?—I was.

Tell those gentlemen what Briellat said?--Briellat said that there could be no reform in this country till there was a revolution.

Cross-examined by Mr. Vaughan.

During this conversation, there was a great deal of violence, I suppose, of language at

least between different people who were disputing according to their different sentiments?

There was afterwards.

A good deal of violence and dispute?There might be a great deal of heat.

And violence of argument?—Yes. Do you remember any talking about fighting at this meeting?-Yes, there might be, but there were no blows.

Do you recollect either of them taking off his coat, or stripping for this purpose at all? -I cannot say.

Was there any liquor drank during the time you were there?—Yes.

A good deal?—I don't know but there

was.

That increased the violence of the argument I suppose?--Yes.

A good deal of hard loud arguments, one crying up the administration, and the other crying it down?-No, Sir, Lord no.

What day of the week was this?-It was of a Saturday.

John Hindle sworn.-Examined by Mr. Sil-
cester.

What are you?-An auctioneer.
Where do you live?--In Shoreditch.
Were you present at Goodman's?-Yes,
Briellat was there and Benson, and I was in
the room before they came.

at our church, and Briellat's sentiment was, that he thought there never would be a reform.

Mr. Chairman. Tell us what he said, not what his sentiments are?-He said, he thought there never could be any good done in this country, till a revolution had taken place. I was displeased with the conversation, and I went away an hour and a half before they went away.

What time did you go away?—I went at eleven o'clock, and they stayed till after twelve.

Goodman was not drunk, was he?-I cannot say.

You are sure these words passed at that time?--Yes.

Cross-examined by Mr. Gurney.

Favour us with the words exactly that Mr. Briellat used, as well as you can recollect them at this distance of time :-That there

would be no good done in this country till a revolution had taken place; that he was a republican, and gloried in the name.

Are you positive that he made use of those words that no good would be done in this country till a revolution had taken place, and name?-Nearly so, it is a long while ago. that he was a republican and gloried in the

not take place without a revolution?—That
Were they not that a reformation could
there never would be any good done without
a reformation, and that could not be got with-
out a revolution.

Edward Woodbridge sworn.-Examined by
Mr. Fielding.

In what condition of life are you?-Ap-
prentice to Mr. Brown, in Shoreditch.
What trade is he?-A butcher.

Do you know the defendant at the bar, Briellat? Yes.

Have you known him any time?—I have known him several years past, while I have been apprentice to Mr. Brown.

And he was no stranger to you at the time you saw him at Mr. Davis's?—No.

Davis is a cheesemonger?-Yes.
Where does Davis live?-The corner of
Webb's-square.

When was it you saw the defendant at his house?-On the 17th of October.

That was on a Thursday?—Yes, in the evening.

How many people were in the house of Davis? There was one besides Mr. Davis when I went in.

Did you go into his shop?-I went to speak to a man that was in the shop.

What was his name?-Mr. Horam.
Was Mr. Briellat in the house at that time?

What did you hear Briellat say?-They-No, he came in afterwards.
were disputing respecting the signature that
had been at Hicks's-hall, and at our church,
and that brought on some disagreeable con-
versation.

Where?-At Merchant-Taylor's-hall, and

What time was it ?-About six in the evening; soon after that came in another man, whose name I did not know.

Have you learned since ?-I believe his name to be Fortescue, a wheelwright.

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Was Davis in the house?-Yes, Fortescue

Cross-examined by Mr. Vaughan. came in before Briellat; there were four of us when he came in.

You live with Mr. Brown, the butcher?... Upon his coming in or at any time after- Yes. wards what passed ?--Briellat came in after How long have you lived with him?---I these men; he came to the door and said, I have almost served six years to bim. hope I see you all brother citizens; then Ho- Has Mr. Brown any partner ?---No. ram said, yes, Mr. Briellat, you make four las he a son-in-law ---Yes. now you are come, but here is one here I Who is that son-in-law ? - One Thomas cannot answer for, meaning me. Davis then Bartlet. asked Briellat what he had heard ; then he Is he an acquaintance of Briellat's ?---Not said he had heard that the duke of York had that I know of. ncarly been taken by the French; Davis re- Is he any friend ?.--Not that I know of. plied, so had he, but it was God's mercy he Nor an enemy?---Not that I know of. was not, and turned it off rather with a sneer; Had they'not a battle together!--I have then Briellat said, yes, it was God's mercy, heard of it. but a thousand pities, for he wished that they Was he not beat in that battle?-No. had him then in France; after that he sat You never heard Bartlet say any thing down in the shop; he then pulled a book out about this when you went to give information of his pocket, that he said was wrote by an to the magistrates !---No. anonymous writer some years ago: then he Who went with you?--Mr. Goodman; he read a passage from it concerning the revela- was at our house, and said he was going there, tions of the first and second woe, wherein he and I went with him. expressed there never would be no good times Going to whom ?---To the justices in Wor. till all kings were abolished from the face of ship-street. the earth, and it was his sinoere wish that And you said you would go with him? there were no kings at all.

Yes. Did he read it so or say so himself?-Je For what? --To relate what I had heard read it so from the book; and then he said it bim say. was his sincere wish there was no king at all; Did you tell Goodman before you went?-then he wished that the French would land No, I said nothing to him. an hundred thousand men in England, and Not a word you told to the officer, all the fight against all the government party; and way you went with him?---I spoke to him, then there was one came in, that I believe to but not concerning that. be a journeyman dyer.

Did you think him an improper person to First of all, let me ask, what he did with mention it to?---Not at all, because I know the book out of which he read that passage? him to be of the contrary party. -I believe he put it in his pocket.

Were you afraid of his telling the repubFor mere curiosity sake, I ask what sort of licans of it?--No, I was not, because he is a book it appeared to be?-Not a very large against the republican party. one, a bit of a pamphlet.

What was it you told the justice !--First of It was not a bound i ok?-No.

all I told the justice what I have related here Then there came in a journeyman dyer, as concerning Briellat, afterwards what I heard you believe?-Yes, the dyer spoke to Horam, the dyer say at the house of Davis the cheese

1 and said he was going down Bishopsgate- ' monger in his shop; I said to this dyer, what street, to sign his name at Eaton's (what that you are for no king? and he said he was for was for I don't know) and he asked him to go no king at all. with him, and Briellat said he would go too, You told the justice what passed, and what and that is all that I heard.

you heard Briellat say; now tell us the preJury. Did you hear him say what was the cise words that you repeated to the magis. title page of the book, or who was the author trate, as having been spoken and uttered by of it -No, I did not hear no farther than he Briellat?.--I told the magistrate I was in said it was wrote by an anonymous writer Davis's shop, the cheesemonger’s, on the 17th some years ago, but who it was dedicated by of October last, on Thursday evening; and as he did not mention.

I mentioned them before, I need not repeat Had you an opportunity to see whether it them again. Fortescue came to the shop; appeared to be a printed book, or a manu- Briellat came to the door and said, I hope I script writing ?-I was about as far as I am see you all brother citizens; then Horam said, from you, and I thought it to be a printed yes, Mr. Briellat, you make four now you are book; I did not go to look at it.

come, but here is one here I cannot answer After this journeyman dyer had put his for, meaning me. He then entered into disquestion to Moram and Briellat, they went course that he heard the French had been out together?-Yes, and said they would go beat by the Spaniards, and he seemed sorry with him with all their hearts.

for that; afterwards he said he heard the Did you hear any thing of Briellat after- duke of York had nearly been taken by the wards :-No.

French, and Davis said, so had he, but it wa
God's mercy that he was not; Bricllat then

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