It is a good
cause: it will ultimately prevail,--it will finally triumph."
He was sentenced to transportation for fourteen years, and was removed to
the Edinburgh jail, from thence to the hulks, and lastly to the
transport-ship, containing eighty-three convicts, which conveyed him to
Botany Bay.
The next victim was Palmer, a learned and highly accomplished Unitarian
minister in Dundee. He was greatly beloved and respected as a polished
gentleman and sincere friend of the people. He was charged with
circulating a republican tract, and was sentenced to seven years'
transportation.
But the Friends of the People were not quelled by this summary punishment
of two of their devoted leaders. In the tenth month, 1793, delegates
were called together from various towns in Scotland, as well as from
Birmingham, Sheffield, and other places in England. Gerrald and Margarot
were sent up by the London society. After a brief sitting, the
convention was dispersed by the public authorities. Its sessions were
opened and closed with prayer, and the speeches of its members manifested
the pious enthusiasm of the old Cameronians and Parliament-men of the
times of Cromwell.
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