vengeance of the
Attorney-General was far from satisfied, and he had ample satisfaction
on a future day.

On the 16th of August, John Martin was placed at the bar, before the
same judges. The instincts of the official, exasperated by defeat,
exercised a keener vigilance in selecting a jury; and one was finally
sworn that did not disappoint his sagacity. They found a verdict of
guilty without hesitation; but recommended the prisoner to mercy, which
in that case was a distinct contradiction of their oaths. The
composition of the jury, and the character of the prosecution, will be
best understood by a perusal of the subjoined speech. No higher proof
could be given of his purity of purpose, elevation of sentiment, and
goodness of heart. On the 19th of August he was called up to receive
sentence He stood in the spot hallowed by the footprints of Robert
Emmet and John Mitchel; nor was the heart he brought to the same
sacrifice less worthy than theirs. Upon his benevolent countenance or
stout heart, the appliances of terror around him had no effect. He stood
unmoved and unawed, in the glorious consciousness that he had fulfilled
his duty to his friend and to his country.

When asked what he had to say why sentence should not be passed upon
him, he replied:--

"MY LORDS: I have no imputation to cast upon the bench, neither
have I anything of unfairness toward myself to charge the jury
with. I think the judges desired to do their duty fairly, as
upright judges and men, and that the twelve men who were put
into the box, not to try, but to convict me, voted honestly
according to their prejudices. I have no personal enmity against
the sheriff, sub-sheriff, or any other gentleman connected with
the arrangements of the jury panel, nor against the
Attorney-General, or any other person engaged in the proceedings
called my trial. But, my lords, I consider _I have not yet been
tried!_ There have been certain formalities carried on here for
three days, _but I have not been put upon my country, according
to the constitution said to exist in Ireland!_

"Twelve of my countrymen, 'indifferently chosen,' have not been
put into the jury-box to try me, but twelve men, who, I believe,
have been selected by the parties who represent the crown, for
the purpose of _convicting_, and not of _trying_ me.

"Every person knows that what I have stated is the fact; and I
wou