The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

312 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
_Note.* Here he fell upon his knees, and passed some time in prayer; then
rising exceedingly cheerful, he addressed the soldiers appointed for his execution, saying-" Now for you, who are appointed by lot my executioners,
I do freely forgive you." He requested them and all-present to pray for
him; adding, "There is but a thin veil betwixt me and death; once more
I request your prayers, for now I take my last farewell."
The soldiers wished to bind him to the spot on which he stood. IHe said,
"Trouble not yourselves or me; for I that dare face death in whatever form
he comes, will not start at your fire and bullets; nor can the power you
have deprive me of my courage." At his desire a piece of white paper was
given him, which with the utmost composure he pinned to his breast, to
direct them where to aim, and after a short prayer addressed the soldiers
thus — " Hit this, and you do your own and my work." And presently
after, stretching forth his arms, which was the signal he gave them, he was
shot through the heart and fell.
Edward Christian, the nephew, and George, the son, of the deceased, lost
no time in appealing to his Majesty in Council against this judicial murder;
and George was furnished with an order "to pass and repass," &c. " and
bring with him such records and persons as he should desire, to make out
the truth of his complaint." Edward returned with him to the Island for
that purpose; for we find him, in April 1663, compelled, in the true spirit
of the day, to give bond "that he would at all times appear and answer to
such charges as might be preferred against him, and not depart the Isle
without license." George was prevented, by various contrivances, from
serving the King's order; but on presenting a second petition, the Governor,
Deemster, and Members of Council, were brought up to London by a Sergeant-at-Arms;- and these six persons, together with the Earl of Derby,
being compelled to appear, a full hearing took place before the King in
person, the Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Chief Baron, and
other Members of Council; judgment was extended on the 5th August, and
that judgment was on the 14th of the same month ordered "to be printed
in folio, in such manner as Acts of Parliament are usually printed, and his
Majesty's Arms prefixed."
This authentic document designates the persons brought up as " Members
of the pretended Court of Justice;" declares "that the general Act of Pardon and Amnesty did extend to the Isle of Man, and ought to have been
taken notice of by the Judges in that Island, althou/gh it had not beeln
pleaded; that the Court refused to admit the deceased William Christian's
plea of the Act of Indemnity," &c. " Full restitution is ordered to be made
to his heirs of all his estates, real and personal." Threet other persons'"who were by the same Court of Justice imprisoned, and their estates
seized and confiscated without any legal trial," are ordered, together with
the Christians, "' to be restored to all their estates, real and personal, and to
be fully repaired in all-the charges and expenses which they have been at
since their first imprisonment, as well in the prosecution of this business as
in their journey hither, or in any other way therennto relating." The
mode of raising funds for the purposes of this restitution is equally peculiar
and instructive: these " sums of money are ordered to be furnished by the
Deemsters, Members, and Assistants of the said Court of Justice," who are
directed " to raise and make due payment thereof to the parties."
" And to the end that the blood that has been unjustly spilt may in some
sort be expiated," &c., the Deemsters are ordered to be committed to the
King's Bench to be proceeded against, &c. &c., and receive condign punishment. [It is believed that this part of the order was afterwards relaxed or
rendered nugatory.] The three Members of Council were released on
giving security to appear, if required, and to make the restitution ordered.
X This note is annexed to all the copies of the speech.
t Ewan Curphey, Samuel Ratcliffe, and John Cuesar, men of considerable landed property.