BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 369
same night stopped at %learns, about nine miles distant, where the people with
whom he lodged remarked his agitated manner, and observed some spots of
blood on his clothes. He left Mearns about four o’clock in the morning, and
proceeded to Irvine, where he intended to take shipping for Ireland.
In the meantime the Magistrates of Glasgow were extremely active in
despatching officers of justice in all directions in search of the murderer. He
was traced to Irvine, where the officers learned that he had sailed a day or two
previous for Dublin, but that the vessel would probably put into Lamlash Bay, in
Arran. They could get no boat to sail, however, on account of the tempestuous
weather, until Mr. Cunningham of Seabank, a respectable and active Justice of
the Peace, impressed one for the purpose. Arriving in Lamlash Bay, the party
found the vessel M‘Kean had sailed in; and, proceeding on shore, they discovered
the object of their pursuit sitting among the other passengers, at the fire of a
public-house in Lamlash. On seeing the officers he immediately surrendered
himself, saying--“ I know your errand.”
The cold-blooded cruelty of the deed had created a strong excitement in
Glasgow ; and when the officers, Graham and Munro, arrived with their charge,
the populace could not be restrained from expressing their satisfaction by loud
cheering. On his examination before the Magistrates M’Kean confessed the
murder, but endeavoured to palliate his guilt. He addressed the Magistrates
with astonishing composure, but with great deference and respect. Buchanan’s
pocket-book, containing bank notes to the amount of %118, his watch and several
papers, were found upon him by the officers of justice, who, for the activity they
had displayed, besides a reward of twenty guineas previously offered, received
the thanks of the magistracy.
M‘Kean’s trial came on at Edinburgh, on the 12th December 1796. When
brought to the bar he gave in a written confession, and pleaded guilty. He
had neither counsel nor agent. When offered professional assistance by the
Court, previous to proceeding in the trial, he said-“No; I will have no
counsel but the Almighty. I am guilty of the crime laid to my charge in all its
circumstances. If the Court, as a matter of form, appoint an advocate for me, I
will have none of his assistance. I am determined to plead guilty, and submit
to my fate.” For the satisfaction of the Court, and the country in general,
several witnesses were called in, who fully proved both the robbery and the
murder. The jury accordingly returned a verdict of-guilty; and the prisoner
wm sentenced to be executed at Glasgow on the 24th of January following.
During the trial, the prisoner behaved with the utmost calmness and composure.
He is described as having been a decent-looking man, about forty years
of age, five feet six or seven inches high, dressed in a brown coat, black silk
waistcoat and breeches, and more a striped green great-coat. He was very pale,
and had nothing of a vicious expression in his face. On the day of his execution
a vast concourse of people were assembled from all parts of the country, particularly
from Lanark. The culprit met his fate with great resignation.
VOL. 11. 3 B
