Book #72865
Item #72865 Trials of Robert Watt and David Downie for High Treason [with] The. Trial, Robert Watt, Defendant.
Trials of Robert Watt and David Downie for High Treason [with] The...
Trials of Robert Watt and David Downie for High Treason [with] The...
Trials of Robert Watt and David Downie for High Treason [with] The...

Trials of Robert Watt and David Downie for High Treason [with] The...

The Trial and Confession of a Scottish Traitor [Trials]. [Scotland]. Watt, Robert, Defendant [c.1761-1794]. Trials of Robert Watt and David Downie for High Treason, Before the Courts of Oyer and Terminer, Held at Edinburgh Aug. 14. 15. 22. 27.-Sept. 3. 5. 6. 1794. With an Engraving of the Pikes Found in the Possession of Robert Watt and Others. To Which is Subjoined the Celebrated Speech of Sir Hercules Langrishe, On Parliamentary Reform, Delivered in the House of Commons, Ireland, March 4. 1794. Edinburgh: Printed for Manners and Miller, [1794]. [4], 92 pp. With a woodcut illustration after title page. [Bound with] Watt, Robert. By Authority. The Declaration and Confession of Robert Watt, Written, Subscribed, & Delivered by Himself, The Evening Before His Execution, For High Treason, At Edinburgh, October 15. 1794. Attested by the Reverend Dr Baird, Principal of the University of Edinburgh; And the Reverend T.S. Jones, One of the Ministers of Lady Glenorchie's Chapel. Edinburgh: Printed for Bell & Bradfute, 1794. iv, [35], [1] pp. With a lithograph portrait frontispiece, moved to beginning of Trials by binder. Publisher advertisement to final page. Octavo (8" x 4-3/4"). Disbound stab-stitched pamphlets. Light toning to interior, more moderate in some places, light soiling in a few places, red monogram stamp ("AB") to upper gutter of title pages and p. [1] of Trials, ms. notes in an early hand to versos of first two leaves of Trials and to foot of title page of Confession. $650. * Only editions. Watt, a wine merchant and political radical, was the architect of a somewhat confused plot to establish Scotland as an independent country. After a search of his house turned up a number of pikes and the type for a seditious handbill, he was arrested and tried for treason. Downie, a co-conspirator, was pardoned, but Watt was not so lucky. He was convicted and sentenced to be hanged and beheaded despite the jury's recommendation of mercy. The sentence reflected the courts' opinion of the severity of Watt's crime. It was also intended to be a warning to other radicals. English Short-Title Catalogue T174262, T94672.

Price: $650.00

Book number 72865

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