The defence set up was merely and exclusively the character of the prisoner, for humanity, peaceable conduct, and proper behaviour. To this, several officers of the highest rank were produced, who vouched for it to the fullest extent; namely, Colonel Paterson, of the 21st Regiment, General Campbell, General Graham Sterling, Captain Macpherson, Captain Menzies, and Colonel Grey: many others were in attendance whom it was unnecessary to produce. The learned judge charged the jury in the most able manner, recapitulated the evidence, and explained the law on the subject most fully and clearly. The jury retired, and in about half an hour brought in a verdict, “Guilty of murder;” but recommended him to mercy, on the score of character only. He was sentenced to be executed on Monday, but respited to Wednesday se’nnight. And this respite was obtained by the greatest exertion. Mrs. Campbell, who was tenderly attached to her husband, having resolved to proceed to London, and solicit the Royal mercy, hastened to the sea-coast, but found that unexpected circumstances threatened to frustrate her fondest hopes. It blew a perfect hurricane, and no reward could tempt the captain of any vessel to venture to sea. While she was running up and down the shore in a distracted state, she met a few humble fishermen; and these poor fellows no sooner heard the cause of her agony than they offered her their service and their boat, in which she actually crossed the channel. Her noble companions not only refused to receive any reward, but attended her to the coach-office, and followed her several miles on the road, praying God to bless her, and grant her success. On arriving at Windsor with her petition it was past eight o’clock, and the King had retired to his apartment; but the Queen, compassionating the afflicted wife, presented the memorial that night, and Mrs. Campbell received the kindest attention from the whole of the Royal family. The case was anxiously debated in the council; but, after a full review of the circumstances, it was finally resolved that the law should take its course. Mrs. Campbell in the mean time proceeded to Scotland, cheered with the hope of obtaining, at least another respite. She reached Ayr, her paternal home, on the very morning that her husband’s corpse was brought thither to be interred. When Major Campbell heard that his fate was decided, he prepared to meet death with the fortitude of the soldier and the resignation of the Christian. A change had come over the public mind, and universal sorrow for his fate had taken place of the prejudices which inaccurate reports of the duel had produced. By a strange concurrence of circumstances, his own regiment mounted guard round the scaffold. A vast multitude occupied every spot from which a view of the place of execution could be obtained. The crowd displayed the unusual show of all the gentry from the neighbouring country, assembled in deep mourning.