t into that box because
the parties conducting the prosecution knew their political
sentiments were hostile to mine, and because the matter at issue here
is a political question--a matter of opinion, and not a matter of
fact. I have nothing more to say as to the trial, except to repeat
that, having watched the conduct of the judges, I consider them
upright and honest men. I have this to add, that as to the charge I
make with respect to the constitution of the panel and the selection
of the jury, I have no legal evidence of the truth of my statement,
but there is no one who has a moral doubt of it. Every person knows
that what I have stated is the fact; and I would represent to the
judges, most respectfully, that they, as upright and honourable men
and judges, and as citizens, ought to see that the administration of
justice in this country is above suspicion. I have nothing more to
say with regard to the trial; but I would be thankful to the court
for permission to say a few words in vindication of my character and
motives after sentence is passed."

Baron Pennefather--"No; we will not hear anything from you after
sentence."

Chief Baron--"We cannot hear anything from you after sentence has
been pronounced."

Mr. Martin--"Then, my lords, permit me to say that, admitting the
narrow and confined constitutional doctrines which I have heard
preached in this court to be right, _I am not guilty of the charge
according to this act_. I did not intend to devise or levy war
against the Queen or to depose the Queen. In the article of mine on
which the jury framed their verdict of guilty, which was written in
prison, and published in the last number of my paper, what I desired
to do was this--to advise and encourage my countrymen to keep their
arms, because that is their inalienable right, which no act of
parliament, no proclamation, can take away from them. It is, I
repeat, their inalienable right. I advised them to keep their arms;
and further, I advised them to use their arms in their own defence,
against all assailants--even assailants that might come to attack
them, unconstitutionally and improperly using the Queen's name as
their sanction. My object in all my proceedings has been simply to
assist in establishing the national independence of Ireland, for the
benefit of all the people of Ireland--noblemen, clergymen,