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no more on it, were it not that I have been assured by the present Earl of Essex, that Lord Onslow, then a Lord of the Treasury, told him, when a boy, that he had seen the entry of a grant of money to Bommeny in the books of the Treasury. The following circumstance corroborates strongly this testimony. At Russell Farm, near Cassiobury, there exists a copy of Lord Essex's letters, published in 1770, prefixed to which is an account of his life. In the margin of the page where he is stated to have been committed to the Tower, is the following note in the hand-writing of the Countess of Essex, grandmother of the present Earl. "Bommeny had a pension from the Treasury by the King's order till the day of his death, as Mr. Grenville told us appeared upon the Treasury books; Lady Carlisle, his daughter, likewise said that the family were of the same opinion, but his widow did not care to stir about it on account of her son." The Lady Essex who wrote this note was of the Russell Family: by the word "us" she probably means herself and a daughter who lived with her. A search was made at my request, but without success, into some of the Treasury books: there are others, however, in such confusion that it would be very difficult to examine them. The opinion that

Lord Essex was murdered, undoubtedly receives great support from the fact attested by Mr. Grenville and Lord Onslow. But it would have been satisfactory to have ascertained beyond a doubt, that Bommeny did not receive a pension from the Treasury before the death of Lord Essex. There is another circumstance mentioned by Braddon, which, if true, would go far to settle the question. He says that the sentinel who guarded the outer door, affirmed in his first examination, that he did not admit any one in the morning to Lord Essex's apartment, but that, in his subsequent examination, he allowed that he had admitted two men. Braddon attributes the stop put to the enquiry, to the regard which was paid to a minister of that day (pro ́bably meaning Lord Halifax), who had afterwards been one of the chief actors in the Revolution; and to the respect required by the feelings of Queen Mary and Princess Anne.

The interval between the imprisonment of Lord Russell, and his trial, were anxiously spent by Lady Russell in preparations for his defence. The two following notes are the best evidence of the nature of her employment; and the last will be valuable to those who set a price upon any memorial tending to show how well firmness may be combined with affection.

Lady Russell to Lord Russell.

"I had, at coming home, an account that your trial, as to your appearing, is not till tomorrow. Others are tried this day, and your indictment presented, I suppose. I am going to your counsel, when you shall have a further account from

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Lady Russell to Lord Russell.

Endorsed-" To ask his leave to be at his trial."

"Your friends, believing I can do you some service at your trial, I am extreme willing to try; my resolution will hold out-pray let yours. But it may be the Court will not let me; however, do you let me try. I think, however, to meet you at Richardson's, and then resolve: your brother Ned will be with me, and sister Marget."

CHAP. XV.

TRIAL OF LORD RUSSELL.

On Friday, the 13th of July, Lord Russell was placed within the bar of the Old Bailey, to take his trial for high-treason.

The clerk of the Crown, having desired him to hold up his hand, proceeded to read the indictment, the substance of which was " for conspir"ing the death of the King, and consulting and

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agreeing to stir up insurrection; and to that "end to seize the guards, (appointed) for the preservation of the King's person."

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On the question of guilty, or not guilty, being put to him, Lord Russell asked the Lord Chief Justice, (Sir Francis Pemberton,) if he might not have a copy of the matter of fact laid against him, in order that he might know how to answer it; but being told nothing could be granted until he should plead, he pleaded, Not Guilty. The usual question then being asked, how he would be tried? Lord Russell observed, he thought a prisoner was never arraigned, and tried at the same time. To which the Lord

Chief Justice answered, "that for crimes of this nature it was continually done."

The Attorney-General said, his Lordship had no reason to complain; since Monday se'nnight he had had notice of trial, and the matter alleged against him; that he had the liberty of counsel to advise him; and that no sort of privilege had been denied, which became a subject in his condition to have.

Lord Russell replied, he had heard only some general questions: he expected witnesses who could not arrive before night; and thought it very hard he could not be allowed one day

more.

The Lord Chief Justice told him, without the King's consent, they could not put off the trial. Lord Russell then demanded a copy of the pannel of the jury, that he might challenge them.

The Lord Chief Justice and Attorney-General expressed their surprise, that his lordship had not received a list, as they had ordered the Secondary Normansel to prepare one. Lord Russell begging that he might have one, the Lord Chief Justice wished to defer his trial till the afternoon, which the Attorney-General opposed. Upon this he observed his case was very hard; to which Sir Robert Sawyer, then Attorney-General, answered, "Do not say so; the King does

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