A Narrative of the Confinement and Exile of William Steel Dickson, D. D.; Formerly Minister of the Presbyterian Congregations of Ballyhalbert and ... of Armagh. to Which Is Annexed, an Account - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1812. Excerpt: ... haps, all this may be true. Yet its truth apv pears to me very questionable. However, 'f shall leave my readers to pronounce upon it, in common with all the other parts of the examinations laid before them; and to answer the following short questions to the satisfaction of their own minds: 1. Does the information of John Hughes, taken in mass, prove that dr. Dickson ever was an adjutant general?' 2. Does not the information of Nicholas Magin, if it proves any thing concerning him, prove clearly that he never was?-3. Do not these informations, whether considered separately, or compared together, exhibit such glaring absurdities, inconsistencies, contradictions, and notorious falsehood, as prove their authors totally unworthy of all credit on any oaths, however solemn, or frequently repeated? 4. When it appears, by their own information, that the lives of both had long been forfeited; and when it is known that Hughes was a bankrupt, and Magin a poor man; is t% not probable that these informations were extorted under the fear of immediate death, or elicited by promise of reward and future support? 5. What. 5. What are we to think of the committees who, under such circumstances, received them implicitly as evidence; of the houses of parliament which gave them 'sanction by Ian acquiescence equally implicit; or those who, without trial or farther inquiry, acted upon them, not only to the distress of individuals, but the ruin of families? This question I asked before. I repeat it here, on account of its peculiar importance. Leaving these questions as they Stand, I shall only observe, that the informations, from which' they arise, fully justify the acknowledgment of Mr. secretary Cooke; as formerly stated, in, respect to an individual, for whom trial was demanded...