,illustration3 ,,rob3 ,,watt ,by ,authority4 ,illustration ,,the ,,declaration ,,and ,,confession ,,of ,,robert ,,watt1 ,,written1 ,,subscribed1 ,,delivered ,,by ,,himself1 ,,the ,,evening ,,before ,,his ,,execution1 ,,for ,,high ,,treason1 ,,at ,,edinburgh1 ,,october #ae4 #agid4 ,,attested ,,by ,,the ,,reverend ,,dr ,,baird1 ,,principal ,,of ,,the ,,university ,,of ,,edinburgh2 ,,and ,,the ,,reverend ,t4 ,s4 ,,jones1 ,,one ,,of ,,the ,,ministers ,,of ,,lady ,,glenorchie',s ,,chapel4 ,,edinburgh3 ,,printed ,,for ,,bell ,,bradfute1 ,,parliament ,,close4 #agid4 ,entered in ,stationers ,hall4 ,the following ,,declaration1 was put up under a sealed cover1 addressed on the outside to ,,james ,,clerk1 ,esq2 ,sheriff ,depute1 ,geo4 ,square4--,in the inside of the cover was written the following ,letter by ,robert ,watt to him3 ,,sir1 ,the inclosed papers1 with another parcel1 containing sundry miscellaneous letters and papers1 ,i commit to you2 requesting they may be transmitted to ,principal ,baird1 and the ,rev4 ,mr ,jones1 to do with them as they may find proper4 ,the little emoluments which may arise from them1 ,i am persuaded they will give to ,binning who attended me4 ,my watch and my clothes1 and any little effects ,i may leave behind me1 ,i request them to be given to ,mr ,james ,stalker1 at ,mr ,wilson's1 baker in ,cross-causeway1 to whom ,i owe money per bill2 and to whom ,i gave a disposition to these1 and other effects1 before my condemnation4 ,i have the honour to be1 ,,sir1 ,your obed4 humble ,servant1 7,signed7 ,,rob4 ,,watt4 ,edinburgh ,castle1 ,oct4 #ad4 #agid4 99 99 99 99 99 ,we1 who are referred to in the above letter1 and who subscribe this note1 do hereby ,,attest1 that the contents of the following ,declaration are transcribed verbatim from the manuscript of ,robert ,watt1 transmitted to us by the ,,sheriff4 ,,geo4 ,,baird4 ,t4 ,s4 ,,jones4 ,,declaration1 c4 ,as the best service ,i can now do to religion1 which ,i have injured by the unhappy conduct which has brought me to my present unfortunate situation1--to my ,christian acquaintances1 whom ,i particularly esteem1 and by whose company and conversation ,i have been both improved and comforted2--and to my country1 for which ,i have had more than ordinary attachment1 ,i shall give a general1 but concise history of the most material part of my life2 and disclose fully the unfortunate circumstances that have been the cause of terminating my life in such a melancholy manner1 in the middle of my days4 ,having but four days before ,i am absorbed in eternity1 ,i hope that what follows will be received as the truth4--,in the view of such an awful prospect1 it cannot be supposed ,i can have any interest whatever to conceal it4 ,no sooner is the soul separated from the body1 than she is disconnected with the pursuits of mortals1 and enters an hitherto unknown scene1--and her powers of perception and communication are then enlarged1 in proportion to the sublimity and grandure of the objects exhibited to her view4 ,with astonishment and prying curiosity1 she travels over the vast expanse of the heavenly ,jerusalem1 collecting from the most ancient and intelligent of its inhabitants1 every information they can communicate of the mysteries of providence and redemption1 while she seems1 as her knowledge increases1 to rise in her accents of praise4 ,i was influenced by religion when very young4 ,a reflective discovery of the goodness of ,god1 in his interposition when in very imminent dangers1 and of my ingratitude 7,i exceeded my companions in youthful follies1 but could never bear swearing71 first led me to cry for mercy4 ,my convictions were exceedingly strong2 so that ,i would in the space of two hours be three or four times at prayer1 drowned in penitential tears4 ,i have always found1 that my penitential joy was in proportion to my contrition for sin4 ,for a long space of time1 ,i was not a day 7if ,i remember right7 without assurance of a saving interest in ,christ2 and1 at times1 my feelings and views were more like an heavenly1 than an earthly inhabitant4 ,on such occasions1 ,i had inexpressible discoveries of the infinitude and holiness of ,god1 and of my own vileness4 ,i wondered1 admired1 adored1 lamented1 and rejoiced at one and the same time4 ,no sooner did my convictions take place1 than ,i was1 as it were1 compelled to allot some particular hours every day to reading the ,scriptures1 meditation1 self-examination1 and prayer4 ,these hours ,i found to be the life of my soul4 ,i learned1 from experience1 that faith must be the gift of ,god4 ,that ,i could as soon take up my personal residence in the sun1 as truly believe in ,christ1 or fix my heart on him in the exercise of faith4 ,this unbelief and treachery of heart drew tears of sorrow from my eyes4 ,though my pleasure in religion was great1 my grief from ,satanical suggestions and a depraved nature was also so4 ,i was strongly tempted to despair and suicide2 but ,he who keepeth ,israel preserved me amidst these storms4 ,religion did no sooner operate on my mind1 than ,i hated the ways of sin1 and the company of the profane2 and sought1 according to my then knowledge1 the company of the wise and good4 ,though my pleasure was particularly in devotional exercises1 and in such company2 yet ,i spent a great part of my time1 in boyish pursuits and pleasures1 with my school-companions2 but in these1 my devotional frame of mind never left me1--and how soon ,i came home1 ,i retired by myself1 and wept over my vanity of conduct4 ,even in school1 the thought of my crucifying the ,lord of ,glory by sin1 often bathed my eyes in tears1 and impelled me to pray with my head leaning on a table4--,the sense of his love and the injury done him1 produced in me a zeal for the salvation of others--to such a degree1 that ,i established the worship of ,god in some families ,i lodged with1 who never had it before4--,i was often surprised to see the same effects not produced on the minds of others in reading the scriptures1 c4 as on myself--,but this arose from my ignorance of the sovereignty of ,god4 ,as ,i advanced in knowledge1 my high enjoyments were the less frequent2 and the instability of my mind in exercises of devotion became more and more perceptible4 ,these soul exercises1 less or more1 have continued with me amidst grievous provocations1 and sore backslidings4 ,i shall now proceed to state the cause of my backslidings1 so far as ,i can trace them4 ,a reserved disposition1 founded on pride1 seems to have been my constitutional sin--,in my earliest youth it discovered itself1 by taking pleasure in vexing my guardians when they crossed my inclination4 ,i was so much under the influence of this base passion1 that more than once ,i gave them the greatest alarm and vexation of mind1 by concealing myself1 and previously saying that ,i would put an end to my life by personal violence2 and enduring sore personal chastisement without disclosing any secret intrusted to me4 ,sometime after ,i knew the grace of ,god1 this passion disappeared2 yet it was not destroyed--but manifested itself in opposition to the inclination of my friends to send me abroad4 ,my friends proposed to send me either to the ,east or ,west ,indies1 but refusing to comply on the ground of a weak constitution2 but the true motive with myself was a fear of not enjoying the means of ,grace--,after which they proposed to send me to ,london2 but not executing this proposal in the time ,i wished 7though their delay undoubtedly proceeded from the best of motives71 ,i resolved to act independently of them4 ,accordingly1 ,i came to ,edinburgh in the year #aghf1 where ,i remained for a considerable time without their knowledge1 and got into business without their assistance4--,so far was my vanity gratified4 ,here ,i digress1 and beg leave to observe1 though perhaps it may be unnecessary1 ,that parents or guardians should be particularly careful to study the ruling passions of young persons under their charge2 and1 should they be such as tend to hurt their morals or blind their best judgment1 to correct them by timely1 proper1 and wholesome instruction4 ,but above all things1 they should study to learn the inclination of their mind as to business1 and to put them early to it4 ,because this will give a full scope to the young mind in the pursuit of fortune1 in a way consistent with his profession2 whereas when not put early to business1 they are apt to seek after her by indirect methods4 ,after ,i began business on my own account1 ,i adopted every method that my ingenuity could suggest1 to arrive at some eminence in ,society4 ,for one1 ,i studied the dispositions and ruling passions of individuals2 and1 not having the gift of speech equal with others1 ,i spoke but little when in company1 lest ,i should either speak improperly1 or hurt the feelings of another by interruption4 ,from what ,i have said1 the reader will easily discern the following passions to have born rule in my conduct1 viz4 pride and ambition4 ,pride is the fruitful mother of all the other irregular passions--,it was the origin of rebellion in heaven1 and the thunderbolt that hurried ,satan into the bottomless ,pit2 and stript innocent ,adam of his original purity4 ,ever since1 it more or less holds a place in every human breast4 ,it is capable of assuming various forms--,at times it assumes the garb of humility1 rigidity1 and moderation4 ,but none can trace its various evolutions so well1 or discover its malignity1 as the sincere ,christian4 ,it may possibly keep him company in all his devotional exercises2 and1 even under the specious pretext of humility1 may be apt to drive him from ,god1 as judging himself unworthy of eternal life4 ,but its influence over me was remarkable--,i could not brook the idea to be indebted to any person for advice1 even in difficult and doubtful cases4 ,i therefore very seldom consulted any person1 though many consulted me4 ,had ,i acted the prudent part1 ,i should have consulted intelligent and disinterested men1 previously chosen4--,the friendship and esteem of some such ,i have had the honour to enjoy4 ,ambition--,though this passion be the offspring of pride1 it is to be no less watched against than its source4 ,it blinds our best judgment by the appearance of utility1 and is apt to drive to acts of injustice in the pursuit of the wished-for object2 while it is but a distrusting of1 and a contending against divine ,providence4 ,influenced by this base passion1 under the semblance of utility1 ,i was induced to carry on a secret correspondence with ,mr ,dundas and the ,lord ,advocate4 ,this conduct1 ,i confess1 was altogether inconsistent with the spirit and design of ,christianity1 which requires the most unbounded simplicity1 integrity1 and love to my fellow-creatures4 ,my first connection with the ,friends of the ,people was in the year #agia1 or #agib4 ,i several times attended the ,committee which met in ,mather's ,tavern2 but would never subscribe my name1 though repeatedly required to do it4 ,this was the ra of my correspondence with ,mr ,dundas4 ,two reasons induced me to this unhappy conduct4 ,one1 a love of the peace of society--,i apprehended1 that if they were permitted to continue their meetings1 the public tranquillity would be interrupted4 ,this opinion was founded on my ignorance of the many abuses in the ,administrative--the offspring of corruption in the ,legislative branch of ,government4 ,for when the ,legislative becomes more corrupted than the ,executive1 there is an end of true liberty4--,and that the people had a right to meet and deliberate on1 and to obtain a redress of grievances4--,the other reason1 to obtain ,mr ,dundas's favour1 that ,i might the sooner arrive at that station in society to which my views were directed4 ,some may imagine that ,i had personal hatred at some of the ,friends of the ,people1 but this was by no means the case4 ,mr ,dundas wished me to correspond with the ,lord ,advocate1 and accordingly recommended me to him4 ,my correspondence with him continued to ,august or ,september #agic1 when it was discontinued4 ,my mind being then changed in favour of ,reform1 ,i entered into the ,committees of ,union and ,ways and ,means#a1 in order to co-operate with them to the obtaining of a ,reform4 ,naturally ambitious and enterprising1 ,i was soon the leader of these ,committees4 ,by my advice1 the ,committee of ,ways and ,means1 or ,secret ,committee1 was formed2 and its regulations drawn up by me4 ,these regulations contained also directions to the ,primary ,societies1 and to the ,committee of ,union4 ,the ,circular ,letter1 though composed by ,mr ,stoke1 was advised by me4 ,and though the ,address to the ,fencibles was not moved by me1 ,i heartily approved of it4 ,all these papers ,i got printed2 and the whole impression was dispersed1 but the ,address to the ,fencibles1 of which ,i knew nothing1 after printed4 #a ,of the ,friends of the ,people4 ,my plans1 ,i doubt not1 would1 when ripe for execution1 be effectual4 ,bloodshed was what ,i abhorred from the bottom of my soul2 they therefore guarded against that evil as much as may be4 ,i shall here narrate them4--,other persons1 as ,archibald ,wright1 weaver in ,edinburgh1 and ---- ,craig1 ,perth1 besides ,john ,fairley1 were sent at different times through the country1 to sound the public mind1 and to give instructions4 ,the intelligence brought me1 from time to time1 by these persons1 from every quarter of the kingdom1 was more and more favourable3 ,all their instructions were delivered by myself--,but such as ,i knew ,i could fully confide in1 their instructions went farther than those of others4 ,indeed1 at the time ,i was apprehended1 there were but very few places that information was not received from2 and there remained almost nothing to do1 for the execution of the whole1 but a visit to ,england and ,ireland1 by intelligent and confidential persons4 ,the first movement was intended to be made in ,edinburgh1 ,london1 and ,dublin2 while every town throughout the kingdoms were in readiness to act1 according to the plan1 on the very first notice1 which was to be given by couriers dispatched by express4 ,the nature of the plan was this--,a body of men1 to the number of four or five thousand1 were to be assembled in a place to be fixed on4 ,these were to be armed with ,pikes1 ,guns1 ,grenades--to be properly divided1 with proper leaders4 ,in regard to ,edinburgh1 these were to be placed at the ,glic ,chapel1 head of the ,west ,bow1 ,tolbooth1 or head of the ,high ,street1--that when the ,castle soldiers came out1 they might be surrounded4 ,in order to prevent bloodshed1 means were to be used to gain as many of the soldiers as possible over to their side4 ,the ,regiment was to be enticed out by companies4 ,but1 previous to this1 the ,magistrates1 ,lords of ,justiciary1 ,commander in ,chief1 and many others in town to be selected1 were to be apprehended2 but to be treated1 in every respect1 becoming their station in life1 and detained till the mind of the ensuing ,convention1 or rather ,parliament1 was known4 ,there was no intention whatever to put any to death2 but if found guilty of oppression and injustice to the ,patriots1 to share a similar fate with them1 viz4 transportation4 ,the manner in which the soldiers were to be induced to leave the ,castle was by means of a letter1 either signed by the ,lord ,provost or ,commander in ,chief1 previously in custody1 ordering the ,commandant to send a company1 without any ammunition1 to a fire that was to be kindled in ,st ,andrew's ,square1 under the pretence of its being a house on fire2 and the said company to be secured and disarmed in the meantime4 ,the most of the remainder to be drawn out in the same manner1 by means of fires kindled in succession in other quarters of the ,city4 ,but in case they either could not be drawn out of the ,castle1 or had obtained information of what was a-doing1 they were to be compelled to surrender1 by being deprived of victuals2--the incarceration of the ,commander in ,chief1 and the influence of party among themselves favouring the plan4 ,the ,public-offices and the ,banks were to be secured1 by placing proper persons as centinels over them1 till the proprietors and managers appeared next morning4 ,the same were to be consulted with by qualified persons1 to be previously chosen4 ,the property of such persons1 either residing in town or country1 deemed inimical to liberty1 in the hands of ,bankers1 was to be sealed up1 but what was necessary for their maintenance1 till their fate was known4 ,the ,post-office was to be taken possession of2 as thereby all intercourse would be cut off between such as were hostile to the ,patriots1 while the channel of communication was left open for them4 ,after these things were effected in ,edinburgh1 ,london1 and ,dublin1 in one and the same night2 and which was expected to be accomplished about six or seven o'clock in the morning1--couriers were immediately to be dispatched throughout the whole nation1 to the leaders in other parts2 while troops were to be marched from places to be fixed on1 that could spare them to the assistance of such as would be deemed necessary4 ,no sooner was the plan executed in the three ,metropolisses1 than proclamations1 previously prepared1 were to be issued to the landholders1 and officers under government1 as did not cordially unite with the ,patriots in their views and designs1 not to go above three miles beyond their dwelling-places1 under pain of death2--to farmers1 not to conceal or export any grain2--to ship-masters1 not to carry any person coast-ways1 without giving intimation of the same2 place come from1 and where going to1 of such person or persons1 within a reasonable time after such intimation was given1 to the nearest ,justice of ,peace1 that the same might be called to an examination1 under a similar penalty2--to such persons as were authorised to levy men1 to deliver up their commissions and men to persons to be nominated1 under the same penalty4 ,there was preparing an ,address to be made to the ,king at the same time1 consisting of a long catalogue of abuses1 both in the ,legislative and ,executive branches of ,government2 and requesting of him the dismissal of his present servants1 and a dissolution of ,parliament1 the same to be replaced by men in whom the people could confide4 ,with regard to the ,pikes1 ,i got them made both for sale and distribution4 ,i do not at present recollect what instructions ,i might have given at the making of them4 ,whatever these instructions were1 ,i am certain that none ,i had were ever distributed#b4 #b ,the ,pikes were found in my house1 when the ,sheriff's ,officers were in search of the goods of a bankrupt in ,musselburgh1 sent to my house1 about an eight days before1 under the pretence of their being to be forwarded to ,glasgow4 ,there was no person concerned in these things but the ,com4 of ,w4 and ,m4--,because ,i was morally certain1 from the aspect of affairs1 that how soon the operations were commenced1 persons in the various ranks of society would carry it on4--,i have therefore no new discoveries to make4 ,i can judge of my intentions from my feelings1--my views were the good of society2 and not robbery or murder4 ,i will not say but my own interest was blended in these views2 for who is he1 that if he serves society1 but will naturally expect a reward8 ,but divine ,providence has been pleased to permit me to be brought into circumstances of misery and woe--,i hope they have been the best reward that could be conferred on me4 ,i however patiently1 and ,i hope thankfully1 accept of these as coming from ,god1 not only as the ,sovereign disposer of all events1 but as my merciful ,redeemer4 ,in reflection1 ,i see that although my intentions were good1 and probable evils endeavoured to be guarded against1 yet circumstances might have proved such1 as would have caused me to repent my having gone so far1 although my person were safe1 which ,i sincerely do this day4 ,though the part ,i acted proceeded from the best of motives2 yet1 on reflection1 ,i perceive that ,i erred in taking such an active part1 without maturely weighing the probable consequences4 ,bloodshed and rapine might have ensued4 ,this would have involved me in guilt2 being somewhat accessory to them1 though not intentionally so4 ,the duty of all sincere ,christians is1 8to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty1 giving honour to whom honour is due1 and fear to whom fear40 ,to leave the reformation of abuses in the ,state to those who mind only earthly things1 except when called to assist in a legal manner4 ,at the throne of grace they may be of more real utility1 than either in the ,cabinet or field of battle4 ,had my life been prolonged1 ,i think this would have been my mode of conduct4 ,and ,i bless ,god for timely preventing me going the perhaps awful length my ambitious and enterprising mind might have induced me4 ,i have given no private offence that ,i know of4 ,indeed1 my sympathising mind1 though compounded of pride and ambition1 would soon relent4 ,i may truly say1 if ,i know my own deceitful heart1 that sympathy to the unfortunate was one cause of my adopting the part that has brought me to my present fate4 ,reflection on the hardships of others has often brought tears of sympathy from my eyes4 ,nor have ,i borrowed money1 nor purchased goods1 but with the most upright intentions4--,for the satisfaction of my creditors1 ,i will observe1 that ,i had views of being able to pay what ,i had either borrowed or purchased1 had ,i lived1 altogether disconnected with the matter that has brought me to my present unfortunate situation2 but in this situation it would be improper to mention what these views were4 ,though ,i have always kept up the worship of ,god1 at stated times1 both in the closet and family1 and had honest intentions towards my creditors2 yet ,i am convinced1 that my departures from ,god have been very great2 and that1 in the glass of his holy law1 they are innumerable and highly aggravated4 ,and especially the crime for which ,i am about to suffer1 as viewed in its probable consequences4 ,i humbly hope1 that the ,spirit of ,god has given me a saving discovery of my sins2 and that1 in the spirit of genuine contrition1 ,i am led to the precious blood of sprinkling4 ,in the foregoing narrative1 if any article appears imperfect or obscure1 ,i hope the imperfection or obscurity will be ascribed to the urgent pressure of the occasion on which this paper is written4 ,it is a first copy2 and1 alas6 there is not now time to revise or correct4--,of the minutes of life that yet remain to me1 even the writing of this sentence has consumed one4 ,but you who now read or hear of this account1 remember as you read1 that the period is coming when death shall be as near to you as it is to me2 and1 be assured1 you will find that a period when you will shrink with horror from the idea of duplicity or deception4 ,with candour then consider this solemn declaration of a dying man4 ,nor let prejudices1 which appearances have produced against me1 lead you to suppose1 that1 on the brink of eternity1 with the throne of judgment in my view1 ,i dare to approach the ,omnipotent with a lie in my right hand4 ,those who1 in an official character1 began and managed my prosecution1 ,i freely forgive4 ,forgive me1 my fellow ,christians1 for the reproach thrown by my conduct on ,religion4 ,my prayer to ,god is1 ,that he may inspire all the people with a spirit of subordination and loyalty2 and teach them to lead1 under the powers that be1 quiet and peaceable lives1 in godliness and honesty4 ,o ,god6 soon shall my body be given to the dust1 and my soul will ascend to thee4 ,thou knowest my sincerity in the narrative ,i have given2 thou seest my sorrow for all my sins4 ,hear me graciously--,and1 for the sake of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 receive my soul to everlasting ,glory4 ,amen4 ,this is truth1 and the whole truth1 as far as ,i recollect1 ,i declare as a dying man4 7,signed7 ,,rob ,,watt ,tuesday ,evening1 ,oct4 #adth1 about #h o'clock at night1 #agid4 ,in regard of sending ,pikes to ,perth1 to the best of my recollection1 ,i talked with ,craig about them1 and that he told me they should be sent secretly2 but ,i cannot say to what number1 nor to whom4 ,note4--,although ,,watt1 soon after his condemnation1 promised the ,clergymen who visited him1 to write a ,confession of his crimes1 he delayed the commencement of it till within eight or nine days of his death4 ,on the ,wednesday before that event1 he had written one sheet2 this1 it is supposed1 he destroyed1 as it was not among the papers he left behind him3 ,hitherto he appeared easy in his mind2 but on the ,friday1 ,saturday and ,lord's day1 much agitated4 ,on this last day he again began to write1 but advanced no further than the account he has given of his childhood1 c4 ,by what he said afterwards1 it is plain1 his hesitation arose from the vain hope of a reprieve4 ,on ,monday morning he again appeared calm1 and in good spirits2 and said he had at last determined to declare all he knew1 and employed the morning of that day in writing what is now given to the public--,in the evening1 the order for his execution was officially intimated to him--,on ,tuesday he continued writing2 and in the evening1 between seven and eight o'clock1 finished and subscribed the paper now published1 and put it under a cover to the ,sheriff--,on ,wednesday1 #aeth ,october1 he was executed--,the paper was sealed up in ,watt's presence1 together with another parcel1 containing the letters he received whilst in prison1 and other papers of no importance4 ,both parcels were by ,watt himself addressed to the ,sheriff1 and delivered to the ,commanding ,officer of the ,castle1 who sent them to the ,sheriff on the ,tuesday evening1 agreeable to ,watt's own particular request4 ,,finis4 ,,lately ,,published1 ,,by ,,bell ,,bradfute1 ,reports of the ,committee of ,secrecy1 of the ,house of ,commons1 on the ,papers belonging to the ,society for ,constitutional ,information1 and the ,london ,corresponding ,society1 seized by order of ,government1 and presented to the ,house by ,mr ,secretary ,dundas--,price #ds4 #f;d4 boards4 ,extracts from the ,report of the ,committee of ,secrecy1 appointed by the ,house of ,commons1 on the #acth of ,may1 #agid1 being an ,abridgment of the above--,price #c;d4 stitched4 ,,also1 ,mr ,young's ,essays on ,government1 and other interesting subjects1 a new edition1 being the fourth--,price #as4 sewed4 ,transcriber's ,notes ,minor punctuation errors have been fixed4 ,page #ba3 8without any amunition0 changed to 8without any ammunition0 ,page #cb3 8the ,wedensday before that0 changed to 8the ,wednesday before that0