A Report of the Proceedings in Cases of High Treason, at a Court of Oyer and Terminer, held at the New Sessions House, Under a Special Commission, in the Months of August, September, and October, 1803. Dublin: Printed by John Exshaw, 1803. First Edition. Two Volumes. Handsomely bound set in quarter leather, marbled boards.

Contents: Volume One: Trials of James Byrne, John Begg, Walter Clare, and Felix Rourke. Volume Two: John Killen and John M’cann, Joseph Doran; Thomas Donnelley, Nicholas Farrell, Lawrence Begley & Michael Kelly; Robert Emmet; Henry Howley, John Mac Intosh, Thomas Keenan; Denis Lambert Redmond.

Fifteen trial Reports relating to the Irish Rebellion of 1803, lead by Robert Emmet. Emmet’s trial began in Green Street courthouse on September 18th, 1803 before Judges Lord Norbury, Mr Baron George and Mr Baron Daly. The Report contains 103 pages, and concludes with Emmet’s famous Speech for the Dock – which is especially remembered for its closing sentences and secured his posthumous fame among executed Irish republicans. On 19th September Emmet was found guilty, and sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered. He was executed the next day in Thomas Street.

The Rising of 1803, of which Emmet was the main strategist, comprised the first attempt of the republican United Irishmen to sever the Act of Union between Britain and Ireland by armed force, and followed on from the Great Rebellion of 1798. The failed rebellion was followed by the arrest of hundreds of rebels and suspected rebels. 

Oyer and Terminer (French: to hear and decide) is the name of a court authorized to hear and determine all treasons, felonies and misdemeanors; and, generally, invested with other power in relation to the punishment of offenders.