ordship, Justice Keogh, gave to the
jury--if I were not a Fenian on the 5th March, I was entitled
to an acquittal. Well I was not a Fenian at that time. I say
so as I have to answer to God. Now, to conclude. I have not
said much about being an American citizen. For why? I am not
permitted to speak on that subject. Now, as Colonel Warren
remarked, if I am not an American citizen, I am not to be held
responsible, but to the American Government. I did not press
myself on that government. They extended to me those rights
and those privileges; they said to me, "Come forward, young
man; enrol yourself under our banner, under our flag; we
extend to you our rights and privileges--we admit you to the
franchise." I came not before I was asked. The invitation
was extended to me. I had no love then, and never will have,
towards England, and I accepted the invitation. I did forswear
allegiance to all foreign potentates, and more particularly
I forswore all allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain. Your
lordships say that the law of the land rules that I had no
right to do anything of the kind. That is a question for the
governments to settle. America is guilty of a great fraud if I
am in the wrong.

The LORD CHIEF BARON--I cannot allow you to proceed in that
line of argument.

COSTELLO--I will take up no more of your time. If I am still a
British subject, America is guilty.

The LORD CHIEF BARON--I cannot allow you to refer either to
the American people or to the American government.

COSTELLO--Would you allow me to state they enticed me from my
allegiance to England; therefore she (America) is guilty of
high treason?

The LORD CHIEF BARON--We cannot allow you to speak on that
subject.

COSTELLO--I will conclude, then. I have nothing to say further
than to thank your lordships for the latitude you have given
me in these few remarks, and also to thank your lordships for
your kindness during my trial. I know you have done me every
justice; you did not strain the law against me; you did
everything that was consistent with your duty to do, and
I have nothing to complain of there. I must again thank my
learned and able counsel for the able, zealous, and eloquent
manner in which they defended me. I am at a loss for words
to express the gratitude I owe to each and ever