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intimate connection between the cause they meant to lerve and the fuccefs of the French, and even their hope of deriving atfittance from the French arms, appear not by loofe talk, but by the deliberate and advised difcourfes held at their meetings, by the written correspondence of fome of the moft active members, and by the communications between the different focieties; emiffaries alfo have been fent by them among his majesty's troops, and papers circulated in the vain hope of feducing them from their loyalty; and projects of the most defperate and flagitious nature, refpecting the members of both houfes of parliament, and even the fafety of his majefty's most facred person and of his royal family, have not merely been uttered, but entertained and difcuffed among them.

The oftentible object of the feveral meetings whofe members were to be the followers in this confpiracy, namely, parliamentary reform, is a pretext that could impofe on none but the most credulous, ignorant, and unwary: the only reform they ever profeffed was the establishment of Univerfal Suffrage, and Annual Reprefentation; these they had affumed and declared to be theirs by inherent and unalienable right; a right not to be relinquished but with their lives, and which none but thieves and traitors could wish to withhold from them.

The aflembling a convention was evidently not for confulting upon the fitnefs of the measure, but to be ittelf the means of obtaining it; and they had previously difclaimed, in the most exprefs terms, the only legal means of obtaining any change of the existing laws by an application to the legislature, declaring that they must depend only on their own ftrength and courage, for obtaining of what they termed their rights.

The neceffary refult is, that the application of strength and courage must have been the object for which fuch an affembly was to be called, it not being the purpofe of those who formed it to obtain laws from any other authority but their own; having, not only in the private meetings, but public declarations, openly profefied that they were to feek redrefs from their own laws, and not from the laws of thofe they termed their plunderers, enemies, and oppreffors.

The accomplishment of fuch a purpofe neceffarily implies the overthrow of all fubordination in the ftate, the abolition of the established form of parliament, together with the destruction of hereditary monarchy, and the fubversion of every fafeguard

which the wisdom of ages has established
in this happy country for the peace and
welfare of lociety, for the encouragement
of indultry, morality, and religion, for the
protection of innocence, and the punish-.
ment of vice, and for the fecure enjoy-
ment of property, of liberty, and of life
itself. Under the circumftances of thefe
defigns, deliberately entertained, openly
avowed, and on the very point of being
attempted to be executed, your committee
feel that they have executed their duty in
laying before your lordships the important
refult of their inquiries; and that it be-
comes them to leave it to the wifdom of
your lordships to confider what tteps it
may be proper for this house to take in
order to manifeft its abhorrence of this
wicked conspiracy; its defire that every
proper meafure may be exerted in order to
give energy and vigour to the execution of
the laws by which the fubjects of this
realm are protected against thefe criminal
purposes; and its readiness to afford to
his majelty every degree of affittance and
fupport which is due from us as loyal and
affectionate fubjects, and as men deeply
impreffed with a fenfe of the value of the
bleffings which we enjoy.

APPENDIX.

NUMBER I.

Letter from the Right Hon. Mr. Secretary
Dundas to the Lord Privy Seal, dated
Whitehall, May 19, 1794, inclofing
Four Drafts of Pikes, or Spear Heads.
Whitehall, May 19; 1794.

My Lord,

I HAVE received this morning from the fheriff depute of the county of Edinburgh, authentic information of an accidental difcovery, made on the 15th and 16th ult.; the general report of which I feel it proper to ftate to you, as it feems materially connected with the inquiry in which the fecret committee of the house of lords is now engaged.

The creditors of a bankrupt having received information that part of his goods had been embezzled, and were fecreted in the house of an individual, the ufual warrant was iffued authorizing a fearch to be made in the fufpected place; and, in carrying it into execution on the afternoon of the 15th, the officers difcovered in a private place, where they appeared to have been concealed, twelve pike or spear heads of the contruction and dimenfions in the houfg inclofed draught. The proprietor of the 3 L

houfe, who happened to be from home at the time, was foon thereafter taken into cuftody; and, on being carried before the proper magiftrate for examination, refufed to give any account of thefe weapons, to whom they belonged, or for what purposes they were intended. On a more narrow fearch, there was likewife difcovered in a private and concealed part of the houfe, two other pike or fpear 'heads, fimilar to the others; two battle axes, of the form and dimenfions delineated in the inclofed paper; and a fhaft or pole with a fcrew on the end, fitted for receiving either the fpear head, or battle

axe.

Immediate inquiry being made after the perions with whom this individual had fately been feen in company, and two blackfmiths being mentioned among them, their houfes and hops were immediately fearched; one of the two was alfo taken into Cuftody, the other efcaped and abfconded. -In the fhop of the first of thefe men were found four pike or fpear heads finifhed, fitted with fcrews and fockets, and ready to be fixed on fhafts; eight battle axes, alfo fitted and finished; and twenty blades more not quite finished, but nearly fo.

In the hop and dwelling houfe of the other who had abfconded no fuch weapons were found; but the apprentices, on being examined before a magiitrate, acknowledged that the pike or fpear heads firft difcovered had been privately manufactured in their mafter's fhop during the courfe of this fortnight paft, and carried privately to his houfe as foon as completed.

The battle axes and blades appear alfo to have been manufactured within this fortnight paft; and were intended, as the maker of them faid, for the purpofe of arming the people fhould an invafion take place; but it appears that to his apprentices, whom he had employed in affitting him to make them, he pretended they were meant for a gate: an account obviously falle, as he could not point out any gate

for which thefe weapons were intended; nor name any perfon who had ordered him to frame a gate of fo particular a conftruction.

Thefe circumftances have induced the magiftrates to commit all the perfons concerned for examination; and the refult of the inquiries which are at prefent carrying forward I expect will be regularly communicated to me. It is proper alfo to inform your lordship that all the perfons chiefly concerned appear to have been members of the British convention which met at Edinburgh laft winter, and fince the dif perfion of it have continued the mott active and leading perfons in the focieties whofe delegates compofed the principal part of that meeting; who appear at prefent taking measures for calling another convention of the fame nature, which they expected is to take place foon in England; and fome of whom have acknowledged, that the propriety of the individuals compofing thefe focieties arming themfelves with fpears and pikes has, within thefe few weeks paft, been the fubject of converfation among them, and fteps taken for carrying that purpofe into execution with caution and fecrecy.

The filence of one of the perfons, the inconfiftent and contradictory account of the other, and the flight of the third, throw a very strong fufpicion on the purpofes and intentions of the parties concerned in this tranfaction. The fheriff is in the courfe of his duty proceeding to inveftigate the matter more accurately: but I confider it neceffary and proper to communicate, through your lordship to the committee, information fo intimately connected with the object of inquiries, however imperfect that information ftill is; but which I have no doubt will foon be completed.

I have the the honour to be, &c. HENRY DUNDAS. The most noble the marquis of Stafford.

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Contains the exact dimenfions of one weapon found in the poffeffion of Robert Watt.-A. Ten inches.-B. Six inches. -C. Screw, 6 inches, The fcrew is adapted for a female fcrew, on a staff 31 feet long. The other fcrews are of the fame dimenfions.

NUMBER III.

Contains the exact dimensions of another weapon found in the poffeffion of Robert Watt; alfo of an iron verral for putting on the end of a staff or pole.--A. Twelve inches.-B. Eight 4 inches.-C. Two inches. NUMBER IV.

Contains the exact dimenfions of a weapon found in the workshop of Robert Orrock, fmith, at Dean, near Edinburgh: nine others of the fame kind were alfo found in the fame place.-A. Ten 4 inches. -B. Nine inches.-C. Eight inches.

NUMBER II.

Letter from the Right Hon. Mr. Secretary
Dundas to the Lord Privy Seal, dated
Whitehall, May 23, 1794, inclofing
Copy of a printed Paper, dated Dundee,
April 12, 1794.

Whitehall, May 23, 1794.

My Lord, I HAVE received this morning farther accounts from the fheriff depute of Edinburgh of the tranfaction stated in my lat letter, and the refult of the inquiries fince made by that magiftrate, and which are still going forward, appear to me of fuch a nature as to deferve the particular attention of the fecret committee.

One of the individuals mentioned in my former letter has fince made a difclofure; and a perfon fince taken into cuftody, and who appears to have been privy to the whole tranfaction, has confeffed that thefe weapons were the first of a very large num

ber and quantity actually ordered to be made, and intended to be privately dif perfed among the members of the various focieties throughout Scotland, styling them felves friends of the people, and who ap pear to be at prefent employed in taking measures for calling together another Britifh convention of delegates to be held in England. An order has been given from one town alone in Scotland for a large quantity of weapons of the nature defcribed; no lefs a number than four thou fand has been mentioned, and more are intended to be diftributed in Edinburgh. Emiffaries appear alfo to have been difpatched within this fortnight or three weeks paft to the manufacturing towns in the weft of Scotland, for the purpofe of founding the inclinations of fuch of the inhabitants there who are known to be members of thefe focieties; and there is reafon to believe, from information received from various different quarters, that these perfons have by no means been unfuccessful.

Pailley is in particular alluded to as being in a state of great readiness; and there has been pofitive information received through other channels, that within thefe three weeks, perfons of that defcription have aflembled themselves to a very confiderable number in the night time for the purpofe of practifing the ufe of arms. The particulars of this information, and the extent to which thefe meetings have proceeded, are at prefent matter of inquiry with the proper magiftrates of the place, but the refult has not yet been received.

The formation of this plan is now traced home to certain perfons, fome of whom are in cufto ty, who appear to be entrusted by these focieties in Scotland with the most unlimited powers in directing their future proceedings, carrying on their correfpondence, and who act as a committee of fe crecy confifting of a certain number of perfons the principal and most active members of the British convention. The choofing of delegates to the expected convention in England, the place of whofe meeting is not yet divulged, and the railing of contributions among the various focieties throughout Scotland for defraying the charges of fuch delegates, appear to be the material part of their prefent employment, and in which it would feem they have made fome progrefs; and it is the fame committce who have for thefe fome weeks paft been confulting and taking measures for arming themfelves and the members of the various clubs with pikes and battle axes, mentioned and who have employed the perfons above

3 Iz

mentioned in manufacturing them. The scheme appears to have been first proposed and agreed upon about a month ago; to have been fince carried on with the utmost fecrecy and caution; and the weapons, fo far as has yet been discovered, manufactured by fuch perfons, in foch fmall quantities, in fuch circumstances, and under fuch pretences, as not to render the progrefs of the work probably liable to fufpicion or detection; and it was brought to light by the very accidental and fingular incident which I mentioned in my former

letter.

I have the fatisfaction of obferving, that the magiftrates and officers of the law in Scotland have been and ftill continue active in the fearches and inquiries making at the different fufpected places within their refpective jurifdictions. In Perth and Dundee nothing has been difcovered which can lead me to believe, that measures have been taken in either of thefe places for making arms, the manufacture of which feems to have been confined to Edinburgh, and intended to have been gradually difperfed from thence to fuch places as required them. No fuch weapons have been difcovered at Paifley or in its neighbourhood, though the intention of arming and holding regular nightly meetings are perfectly afcertained.

Information has also been communicated, of the authenticity of which there is no room to doubt, that a confpiracy has been formed, as foon as a proper number of thefe weapons were diftributed among the friends of the people in Edinburgh, to feize in the night the perfons of the principal magiftrates and officers of the law, the banks, the public offices, guards, and prison, and after inticing the foldiery from the castle, by kindling a fire in the middle of the city, to intercept them on their return, by means of different armed parties to be properly ftationed for that purpofe.

It appears likewife from indifputable facts, that the moft fecret and artful means have been and are ftill ufing with the fencibie regiments in Scotland to excite them to dilobedience and mutiny. The printed paper which I herewith tranfmit, has been Industriously circulated for that purpofe. I have the honour to be, &c.

Marquis of Stafford.

HENRY DUNDAS.

Inclofed in Mr. Dundas' Letter to Lord
Privy Seal, dated May 23, 1794-
(Copy.) •

Friends and Brethren,

It is with the greatest pleasure that your countrymen are informed, that fuch is your attachment and love to them, and to your native country, that you manfully and firmly refolve not to leave it upon any terms contrary to thofe upon which you were firft engaged. Your countrymen love you; and their hearts would be as much wounded to part with you, as yours would be to be feparated from them. They well know that they are fafe under the protection of their fathers, their sons, their brothers in arms; and they neither with nor defire any other defenders.-They hope and believe that your hearts are filled with the fame fentiments.

The great mass of the people from among whom you have inlifted, have been reprefented to you as your enemies ;-believe nor the affertion; they have been taught to confider you as foes; but they do not fear finding friends among their brethren.

Their caufe and yours is the fame.They are poor, but they have honeft hearts; hearts which fympathife in year caufe; they look for the fame friendship and the fame fympathy in you. They rejoice to hear that you are becoming daily more convinced of the great truth that the law ought to be the fame to the Highlander and to † Lowlander; to the rich and to the poor; and that no man can be compelled to take up arms, by any authority whatsoever, unless his own inchnations prompt him so to do.

This truth has been hitherto carefully concealed from you, but it is not lefs certain. The will of your laird cannot with. out your own confent, feparate you from your families and friends, although many of you may have experienced the exertions of fuch a power, however unjuit, and however contrary to law.

We refpect and admire the principle which induces you (though neceffity has compelled you to take up arms) ftill to perfift in remaining to defend your friends at home; and not to quit a country which holds pledges fo dear.

When you are gone, where is their defence? They may be either left without protection, or may foon fee their country

The words in Italics are in large letters in the printed copy. + Sic in Orig.

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over-run by foreign troops; fuch as in time paft have already fhed the blood of your ancestors without provocation, and without remorfe; and who would feel perhaps as little compunction in shedding theirs.

:

Prepared for every deed of horror, thefe foreign mercenaries may violate the chaflity of your wives, your fifters, and your dau hters, and, when defire is fatiated, cruelty may refume its place in their hearts, as experience has too well and too fatally fhewn; and friends, parents, children, brothers, may be involved in one common flaughter. The cruel massacre of Glencoe cannot yet be forgotten: Are there not among you whose forefathers perished there?Their hearts, throbbing with kindness and hospitality, were pierced with the daggers of their treacherous guests; and the feaft prepared by the hand of unfufpecting friendship was clofed with a fcene of blood !-Such is the return for kindness and hospitality!-Such the protection which your families have to expect !!!

How will they then look around in vain for your protecting care, when perhaps you are fighting at a distance in a foreign land?-But they hope you will not forfake them.-Stay, oh ftay, and defend your families and friends!-for that purpofe alone you were inlifted.-They are ready to come forward for you in the vindication of your rights.

Thousands join in the same sentiments with you, and ardently with for your continuance among them.-The circumftances which might require you to quit your country have not yet taken place. No invafion has yet happened.-You cannot be compelled to go.-Leave not your country.-Affert your independence. -Your countrymen will look up to you as their Protectors and Guardians, and will in their turn lift up their arms to protect and affift you.

Dundee, April 12, 1794.

NUMBER III.

Letter from the Right Hon. Mr. Secretary
Dundas, to the Lord Privy Seal, dated
Whitehall, May 24, 1794.

Whitehall, May 24, 1794,

My Lord,

I have received information from the sheriff of the county of Renfrew, confirmed by. letters received from other refpectable perfons in Paifley, that the magiftrates of that place having, in the course of their inquiries, committed on the afternoon of the 19th, a man to cuftody for further examination, a confiderable number of perfons (feveral hundreds affembled in the evening, and after choosing a prefident, whom they addreffed by the title of citizen prefident) voted a number of refolutions to the following purpose:

That a national convention fhould be immediately called, to which they would fend delegates.

That they should not petition parliament, as it was to themselves alone, and to fuch convention, they could look for redrefs.

They then proceeded to confider the conduct of the theriff and magistrates in commiting their brother citizen, as he was termed and after much difcuffion as to the propriety of immediately releafing him by force, the majority feemed inclined to take mild meatures firft, and to fend a deputation to afk his release; but the magiftrates having received information of what was intended, and difmiffed the man from cuftody, the mob difperfed with three cheers, having been previoufly inftructed by their prefident to abftain from further tumult, and to obferve a peaceable and orderly conduct.

The authority of the civil magiftrate is in the mean time entirely fuperfeded, and until a proper force is fent to protect them in the future execution of their duty, which has been anxiously required by the fheriff and magiftrates, they dare not proceed in the common courfe of legal and judicial inquiry against any of the perfons who are fufpected of being concerned in these violent and tumultuary proceedings. But it cannot escape the obfervation of the committee, how accurately this intelli gence correfponds with, and confirms the information yefterday communicated, as to the state of the minds of thefe people in that neighbourhood, the alarm which their leaders feel as to the refult of the legal inquiries at prefent depending, and the regular fyftematic connection between them and the leaders at Edinburgh, as di.covered from the yet unfinished and hafty examinations taken in that city. I have the honour to be, &c.

HENRY DUNDAS.

I have received no further accounts of the refult of the inquiries going on in Edinburgh; but I am forry to ftate that The most noble the Marquis of Stafford,

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