I am aware of the fate which awaits me, and scorn equally the tone of complaint and that of supplication. As to the connection between this country and Great Britain, I repeat it--all that has been imputed to me (words, writings, and actions), I here deliberately avow. I have spoken and acted with reflection and on principle, and am ready to meet the consequences. Whatever be the sentence of the court, I am prepared for it. Its members will surely discharge their duty--I shall take care not to be wanting in mine." The court having asked if he wished to make any further observation, TONE said--"I wish to offer a few words relative to one single point--the mode of punishment. In France our _emigrees_, who stand nearly in the same situation in which I now stand before you, are condemned to be shot. I ask that the court shall adjudge me the death of a soldier, and let me be shot by a platoon of grenadiers. I request this indulgence rather in consideration of the uniform I wear--the uniform of a Chef de Brigade in the French army--than from any personal regard to myself. In order to evince my claim to this favour, I beg that the court may take the trouble to peruse my commission and letters of service in the French army. It will appear from these papers that I have not received them as a mask to cover me, but that I have been long and _bona fide_ an officer in the French service." JUDGE ADVOCATE--"You must feel that the papers you allude to will serve as undeniable proof against you." TONE--"Oh, I know they will. I have already admitted the facts, and I now admit the papers as full proof of conviction." [The papers were then examined; they consisted of a brevet of Chef de Brigade from the Directory, signed by the Minister of War, of a letter of service granting to him the rank of Adjutant-General, and of a passport.] General LOFTUS--"In these papers you are designated as serving in the army of England." TONE--"I did serve in that army, when it was commanded by Buonaparte, by Dessaix, and by Kilmaine, who is, as I am, an Irishman; but I have also served elsewhere." The Court requested if he had anything further to observe. He said that nothing more occurred to him, except that the sooner his Excellency's approbation of the sentence was obtained the better.