I would as soon believe the Archbishop of Canterbury would set fire to the city of London as suppose you could, directly or indirectly, join in such a d——­d absurd piece of business.  Truly sorry am I that my state of health will not permit me to go down to Portsmouth to give this testimony publicly before that respectable tribunal where your country’s laws have justly ordained you must appear; but consider this as the touchstone, my dear boy, by which your worth must be known.  Six years in the navy myself, and twenty-eight years a soldier, I flatter myself my judgement will not prove erroneous.  That Power, my dear Peter, of whose grace and mercy you seem to have so just a sense, will not now forsake you.  Your dear aunt is as must be expected in such a trying situation, but more from your present sufferings than any apprehension of what is to follow,’ &c.

With similar testimonies and most favourable auguries from Commodore Pasley, the Rev. Dr. Scott, of the Isle of Man, and others, young Heywood went to his long and anxiously expected trial, which took place on the 12th September, and continued to the 18th of that month.  Mrs. Heywood had been anxious that Erskine and Mingay should be employed as counsel, but Mr. Graham, whom Commodore Pasley had so highly recommended, gave his best assistance; as did also Mr. Const, who had been retained, for which the Commodore expresses his sorrow, as sea officers, he says, have a great aversion to lawyers.  Mr. Peter Heywood assigns a better reason; in a letter to his sister Mary he says, that ’Counsel to a naval prisoner is of no effect, and as they are not allowed to speak, their eloquence is not of the least efficacy; I request, therefore, you will desire my dear mother to revoke the letter she has been so good to write to retain Mr. Erskine and Mr. Mingay, and to forbear putting herself to so great and needless an expense, from which no good can accrue.  No, no!  Mary—­it is not the same as a trial on shore; it would then be highly requisite; but, in this case, I alone must fight my own battle; and I think my telling the truth undisguised, in a plain, short, and concise manner, is as likely to be deserving the victory, as the most elaborate eloquence of a Cicero upon the same subject.’

At this anxious moment many painfully interesting letters passed to and from the family in the Isle of Man:  the last letter from his beloved Nessy previous to the awful event thus concludes:—­May that Almighty Providence whose tender care has hitherto preserved you be still your powerful protector! may He instil into the hearts of your judges every sentiment of justice, generosity, and compassion! may hope, innocence, and integrity be your firm support! and liberty, glory, and honour your just reward! may all good angels guard you from even the appearance of danger! and may you at length be restored to us, the delight, the pride of your adoring friends, and the sole happiness and felicity of that fond heart which animates the bosom of my dear Peter’s most faithful and truly affectionate sister,

     N.H.’