Remarks on the speeches of William Paul Clerk, and John Hall of Otterburn, Esq : $b Executed at Tyburn for rebellion, the 13th of July, 1716

"Remarks on the speeches of William Paul Clerk, and John Hall of Otterburn, Esq…" by Daniel Defoe is a critical examination of the last words spoken by two men put to death for rebelling against the government. Published in the 1700s, the book is a defense of the existing government where the author takes apart the stories the rebels told in their speeches. The book questions why Paul and Hall did what they did, disagreeing with how they acted like they were dying for a good reason, defending the authority of the ruling government. Paul shows sadness for his past actions but hopes his death will make him a martyr, while Hall sees himself as a brave person giving his life for his true king. The author skillfully breaks down their arguments, revealing the their conflicting statements and pointing out their previous attempts to avoid death, actions that go against their supposed loyalty. The author is against the rebels' claims and questions the idea of being loyal to a king who is no longer in power, supporting the current government instead.