Mr Thelwall
WHEN citizen Thelwall was on his trial at the Old Bailey for high
treason, during the evidence for the prosecution he wrote the following
note, and sent it to his counsel, Mr. Erskine: I am determined to plead
my cause myself. Mr. Erskine wrote under it: If you do, you'll be
hanged: to which Thelwall immediately returned this reply: I'll be
hanged, then, if I do.