if there was a conspiracy it would be proved, and that
the only reason it was not proved, is, because it did not exist? The
attorney-general told you it did exist; that it must have existed: but
that is all imaginary; and you are called upon to find me 'guilty' if
you imagine that this agreement was entered into. I don't want to speak
of the talents of the attorney-general. I admit the ingenuity, the
talent, and the industry with which he conducted this case. He was
eleven hours, eleven mortal hours detailing the facts to you. What did
he tell you the conspiracy consisted of? He made a long statement, and
when he came to the end, he told you to go back to the beginning, find
out the conspiracy, and what it consisted of. I say, gentlemen of the
jury, without tire least affectation, if any gentleman could have
found out evidence of a conspiracy, it would have been found by the
attorney-general." Mr. O'Connell proceeded at great length to defend the
means of his agitation, and then proceeded to vindicate its object--the
repeal of the union. On the latter subject he remarked:--"I mean first
to demonstrate that the English Parliament has, from the remotest
period at which she possessed the power, governed Ireland with a narrow,
jealous, restrictive, and oppressive policy. By way of parenthesis,
I would first beg of you to recollect the history of the woollen
manufactures of Ireland, in the reign of a monarch whom you are not
disposed to condemn. I shall next demonstrate in succession, that the
transactions of 1782 were intended to be a final adjustment, and that
it was then intended and agreed that the Irish parliament, after having
achieved its independence, should maintain it, and that the union was
forced upon the Irish people against their consent, by the most criminal
means. I shall next show you in detail the many evils that resulted from
the union, and the gross injustice of the enactment of that statute. I
shall show you the increasing distress and destitution which have
arisen from that statute; and that there is no probability of restoring
prosperity to this country, or of avoiding ultimate separation from
England, save by the restoration of her parliament." In support of these
propositions, Mr. O'Connell read extracts from the writings and speeches
of various statesmen, both native and foreign. In conclusion he said to
the jury:--"I leave the case in your hands. I deny I have done anything
to stain me. I reject with