The country will judge of those sentiments and that conduct in a light far different from that in which the jury by which I have been convicted have viewed them; and by the country, the sentence which you, my lords, are about to pronounce, will be remembered only as the severe and solemn attestation of my rectitude and truth.

Whatever be the language in which that sentence be spoken, I know that my fate will meet with sympathy, and that my memory will be honoured.

In speaking thus, accuse me not, my lords, of an indecorous presumption.

To the efforts I have made in a just and noble cause, I ascribe no vain importance--nor do I claim for those efforts any high reward.

But it so happens, and it will ever happen so, that they who have tried to serve their country, no matter how weak the effort may have been, are sure to receive the thanks and the blessings of its people.