Memoirs of William Sampson; An Irish Exile

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: LETTER II. M'Doiigall?Trevor?Torture?Notice of Trial. The first occurrence in Bridewell which gave me pleasure was a notice of trial, served upon me in due form. I thought my enemies now committed past retreat, and I vainly anticipated the triumph I should have in their confrontation and confusion. I feared neither corrupt judges, packed juries, hired witnesses, treacherous advocates, nor terror-struck friends. I was all-sufficient for myself against such hosts. I had no need of defence, but had much of accusation to bring forth. I had committed no murders nor treasons. I had burned no houses, nor tortured no free men. I asked no absolution in acts of parliament, passed in one session to indemnify the crimes of the preceding one. I had legally and loyally defended the acknowledged rights of my countrymen. I had opposed myself with honest firmness to the crimes of arson, treason, murder, and torture; and rather than my countrywomen should be deflowered, I was ready, as it was my duty, to defend them with my life. I had done more; for when the boiling indignation of the people pointed to self-preservation, through individual retaliation, I had spent sleepless nights to save the lives of those who, after so many years of vengeance, seem still to hunt for mine. But think not, my friend, that I should ever condescend to make a merit of this to those despicable men. The principle of my actions was too pure to be in any way connected with their degraded persons. During the time that I was locked up in secret, my servant had found protection in the house and service of Mr. and Mrs. Leeson, with the friendly condition of restoring him to me as soon as I should be set free.He was allowed to come at times for my linen and other necessary commissions, under the bars of my window; but...