Chapter Seventeen

• Author: Richard D. Schneider
• Pages: 197-210

 

Cae Svnee

 ,  then commenced presenting the wit-

nesses he had assembled for the defence, starting with M’Naughten’s

father, also named Daniel M’Naughten. After arming that he pres-

ently resided in Glasgow and worked in the wood-turning business, he

described for the court his relationship with the accused:

“e prisoner, who is a natural son of mine, was apprenticed to me, and

after he had served about four years and a half became my journey-

man, in which capacity he continued for about three years. When he

left me he went into business as a turner on his own account, and was

always a very steady, industrious young man, and exceedingly temper-

ate in his habits.

“After he went into business I did not see him so often, although

I saw him then frequently. He seemed to me more distant than for-

merly; but I knew of no reason for his being so. He would frequently

pass me in the street and not speak to or notice me.

“About two years ago I recollect the prisoner calling at my house,

and, upon seeing me, he expressed a wish to have an interview in

private. We went into a room alone, and he then told me that vari-

ous prosecutions [sic] had been raised against him, and begged that I

would speak to the authorities of the town upon the subject, in order

to have a stop put to them. He particularly mentioned the name of

Mr. Sheri Alison as one of the persons I was to speak to.

“I asked who the persons were that persecuted him, and he told me

that Mr. Sheri Alison knew all about it. I told him I was extremely

sorry to hear that he was so persecuted, and endeavoured to persuade

him that he was labouring under some mistake. I told him that I was

not aware of any person being persecutive in Glasgow.