AN

EXPOSURE OF THE SPY SYSTEM

PURSUED IN GLASGOW,

DURING THE YEARS 1816-17-18-19 AND 20,

WITH COPIES OF

THE ORIGINAL LETTERS,

&c. &c. &c.

OF

ANDREW HARDIE,

WHO WAS EXECUTED FOR HIGH TREASON AT stirling, in sePTEMBER, 1820.

"He fell gloriously

Wellington's Despatches.

THE WHOLE

EDITED, AND RESPECTFULLY LAID BEFORE THE PUBLIC,

FOR THE FIRST TIME,

By A TEN-POUNDER.

GLASGOW :

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY

MUIR, GOWANS, & CO. 42, ARGYLL-STREET,

(Opposite the Buck's Head);

SOLD BY J. STEWART, 11, ST. JAMES'S STREET, PAISLEY;

AND ALL THE BOOKSELLERS.

1833.

No. 1.]

[Price Twopence.

IN undertaking this publication at present, we are sensible that many objections will, in all probability, be raised against it, both by the pres tended friends, and the open enemies of Reform. The former, whe are always to be found in the ranks of the timid, half-and-half gentry, will say, that it would have been better for us to have allowed the transactions of 1819-20 to go into oblivion, or remain entirely forgotten. And the latter, who are always to be found in the ranks of bigotry and oppression, will say, that we are holding up to public approbation the actions of demagogues and convicted traitors f

To such objections, and all others of a similar nature, we have an answer to make, which, whatever it may be thought of by some, will, we trust, be deemed satisfactory by all those on whose honest judgment we attach valueins straw sili gaizulierlo wer? sử diw ods nea

The answer is thisWe are thoroughly convinced that Andrew Hardie and his unfortunate companions were the victims of blood: thirsty scoundrels, better known by the name of spies, who at that time infested this country, to the scandal to the everlasting disgrace of its then government, by whom they were encouraged and protected. And we hold it to be our bounden duty, as subjects of a free state, to do every thing in our power, however imperfectly it may be done to rescue the characters of the Reformers of Scotland, and especially the Reformers of Glasgow, from the stain that was unjustly put upon them in 91819-20,-in doing which we are prepared to show that the innocent on that occasion were confounded with the guilty; and that, in truth, (we speak in a moral, not in a legal point of view,) the Inno cent suffered, while the Guilty escaped.

But before going farte we cannot help pausing for a moment to congratulate the Reformers of Scotland on the fact, which they indeed well know, that the tables are now fairly turned upon their enemies ; and that the men who in 1819-20 wielded an iron rod against the friends of Freedom, are now deprived of it, and are, we trust, for ever humbled! Blessings on the French Revolution Blessings on that mildrand paternal government which now exists, and may it long continue to exist in England!But blessings thrice over on the People themselves! We want words to express the delight we feel, at the mere knows ledge of the fact, that there are no longer any Sidmouths or Castle reaghs in the liberal and enlightened Cabinet of William the Fourth otherwise, we think, from what we have already written and still if seomie lubo.g dond oilt ni tqod ng 12ytrodil to sauso silt of sidomovat