The report begins with a species of preface, the general effect of which is that the copy is not that actually taken in court, though it is a true copy in regard of the notes of what was said; but that the writer has added to it some “remarkable passages” that took place during the trial, and has made this present fair copy of the whole, intending at some favourable time to publish it; but has not put it into longhand, lest it should fall into the possession of unauthorised persons, and he or his family be deprived of the profit.
The report then begins:—
This case came on to be tried on
Wednesday, the 19th of November, between
our sovereign lord the King, and George
Martin Esquire, of (I take leave to omit
some of the place-names), at a sessions of
oyer and terminer and gaol delivery, at the
Old Bailey, and the prisoner, being in
Newgate, was brought to the bar.
Clerk of the Crown. George Martin, hold up thy hand (which he did).
13
