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The trial of Joseph Gerrald, delegate from the London Corresponding Society to the British Convention, before the High Court of Justiciary, at Edinburgh, on the 3d, 10th, 13th, and 14th of March, 1794, for sedition
The trial of Joseph Gerrald, delegate from the London Corresponding Society to the British Convention, before the High Court of Justiciary, at Edinburgh, on the 3d, 10th, 13th, and 14th of March, 1794, for sedition

The trial of Joseph Gerrald, delegate from the London Corresponding Society to the British Convention, before the High Court of Justiciary, at Edinburgh, on the 3d, 10th, 13th, and 14th of March, 1794, for sedition

Date1794
Object number00004936
NameBook
MediumLeather, hardboard, gilt, printed text on paper
DimensionsOverall: 207 x 133 x 24 mm
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionBook titled 'The Trial of Joseph Gerrald, delegate from the London Corresponding Society, to the British Convention. Before the High Court of Justiciary, at Edinburgh, on the 3rd, 10th, 13th and 14th of March, 1794 for Sedition. Taken in short-hand by Mr. Ramsey. Edinburgh, Scotland 1794.HistoryKnown as one of the 'Scottish Martyrs', Joseph Gerrald was a lawyer who became well known in London as an advocator for parliamentary reform. After a rousing speech at the 'British Convention of the Delegates of the People' in 1793, he was arrested and placed on bail. At his trial in March 1794, he was convicted and sentenced to fourteen years transportation. Gerrald was imprisoned in Newgate gaol for 12 months and on the 2 May 1795, he was taken aboard the SOVEREIGN and departed for New South Wales. At the time, Gerrald was suffering from tuberculosis and was unwell on his arrival in Sydney on 5 November 1795. The then governor John Hunter allowed to purchase a small property at Farm Cove but by March Gerrald was so incapacitated that he moved into the house of fellow 'Scottish Martyr' Thomas Palmer. Gerrald died at the age of 36 on 16 March 1796, and was buried at his garden at Farm Cove. SignificanceJoseph Gerrald is recognised on the Political Martyrs' Monument on Calton Hill at Edinburgh and a similar monument at Nunhead Cemetery in London.