Next morning, when this gentleman gave in his report, he made such
a favourable representation of the prisoner, that our hero was on
the point of being discharged, when Hornbeck preferred a complaint,
accusing him of a purposed assassination, and praying that such
punishment should be inflicted upon him as his highness should
think adequate to the nature of the crime. The prince, perplexed
with this petition, in consequence of which he foresaw that he
must disoblige a British subject, sent for the plaintiff, of whom
he had some knowledge, and, in person, exhorted him to drop the
prosecution, which would only serve to propagate his own shame. But
Hornbeck was too much incensed to listen to any proposal of that
kind, and peremptorily demanded justice against the prisoner, whom
he represented as an obscure adventurer, who had made repeated
attempts upon his honour and his life. Prince Charles told him,
that what he had advised was in the capacity of a friend; but, since
he insisted upon his acting as a magistrate, the affair should be
examined, and determined according to the dictates of justice and
truth.
Pages:
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634