without mercy for
stealing a purse of gold, which in some sense he might consider as a fair
reprisal; while the profligate satellite, who took advantage of a trifling
tumult, inseparable from such occasions, to shed the blood of twenty of his
fellow-citizens, is deemed a fitting object for the exercise of the royal
prerogative of mercy. Is this to be borne? - would our fathers have borne it?
Are not we, like them, Scotsmen and burghers of Edinburgh?«
    The officers of justice began now to remove the scaffold, and other
preparations which had been made for the execution, in hopes, by doing so, to
accelerate the dispersion of the multitude. The measure had the desired effect;
for no sooner had the fatal tree been unfixed from the large stone pedestal or
socket in which it was secured, and sunk slowly down upon the wain intended to
remove it to the place where it was usually deposited, than the populace, after
giving vent to their feelings in a second shout of rage and mortification, began
slowly to disperse to their usual abodes and occupations.
    The windows were in like manner gradually deserted, and groups of the more
decent class of citizens formed themselves, as if waiting to return homewards
when the streets should be cleared of the rabble. Contrary to what is frequently
the case, this description of persons agreed in general with the sentiments of
their inferiors, and considered the cause as common to all ranks. Indeed, as we
have already noticed, it was by no means amongst the lowest class of the
spectators, or those most likely to be engaged in the riot at Wilson's
execution, that the fatal fire of Porteous's soldiers had taken effect. Several
persons were killed who were looking out at windows at the scene, who could not
of course belong to the rioters, and were persons of decent rank and condition.
The burghers, therefore, resenting the loss which had fallen on their own body,
and proud and tenacious of their rights, as the citizens of Edinburgh have at
all times been, were greatly exasperated at the unexpected respite of Captain
Porteous.
    It was noticed at the time, and afterwards more particularly remembered,
that, while the mob were in the act of dispersing, several individuals were seen
busily passing from one place and one group of people to another, remaining long
with none, but whispering for a little time with those who appeared to be
declaiming most violently against the conduct of Government. These active agents
had the appearance of men from the country, and were generally supposed to be
old friends and confederates of Wilson