Algernon Sidney
Colonel Sidney's Speech
Delivered to the sheriff on the scaffold
December 7th 1683
Men, brethren, fathers, countrymen and strangers; It may be expected that I should say some great matters to you, but the rigor of the season and the infirmity of my age (increased by a close imprisonment of above five months) do not permit me. Moreover, we live in an age that makes truth pass for treason, and as I dare not say anything against it, so the ears of those that are about me will probably be found too tender to hear it. This my trial and condemnation do sufficiently evidence. West, Rumsey and Keeling, who are brought to prove the plot, say no more of me than that they know me not, but that some (equally unknown to me) had used my name and the names of several other persons to give some little reputation unto their designs. The Lord Howard is too infamous by his life (and the many perjuries not to be denied whereof he hath been guilty) to deserve mention. And being but a single witness, his testimony could be of no value though he had been of unblemished credit. Or had none seen nor himself confessed, that the crimes committed by him could be pardoned only for committing more. And even the pardon that was promised him could not be obtained till the drudgery of swearing was over.
