rmer page.[73] He, at least, could not plead in extenuation of his
share in the transaction that he had been carried away by the
uncontrollable effervescence of youth, for he was at this time not far
short of thirty-four years of age[74]. His acquittal on a more serious
charge nearly nine years before might well have led him to believe that
he could with impunity set the law at defiance. His identification with
the ruling faction is easily traced, for he was a son of Mr. William
Jarvis, who was for many years Secretary of the Province; and he was
moreover son-in-law to ex-Chief Justice Powell.[75] He himself held a
situation under Government at this time--being Clerk of the Crown in
Chancery--and stood high in the favour of Sir Peregrine Maitland,
towards whom he sometimes acted in the capacity of private secretary. He
was the chief offender, for it was by him that the outrage was planned,
and he was the directing spirit throughout, as well as the most noisy
and impudent apologist for it afterwards. Another active participant in
the raid was Captain John Lyons, a confidential clerk in the
Lieutenant-Governor's office. A third was Henry Sherwood, student at law
in the office of Attorney-General Robinson, and Clerk of Assize. He was
a son of the Honourable Levius Petere Sherwood, one of the puisne
judges, and was also connected with other leading members of the ruling
faction. It is due to him to say that he eventually outgrew the follies
of his youth, and became an able lawyer, a prominent politician, and a
useful member of society. He alone, of all the participators in this
shameful business, attained to anything like honourable distinction. A
fourth member of the gang of kid-gloved housebreakers was Charles
Heward, a son of Colonel Stephen Heward, who, in addition to being an
active spirit among the Compact, was a magistrate, Clerk of the Peace in
and for the Home District, and Auditor-General of Land Patents. The
others were Charles Richardson, a student in the office of
Attorney-General Robinson; James King, a student in Solicitor-General
Boulton's office; Peter McDougall, a well-known shopkeeper in York in
those times; and two sons of the Honourable James Baby,
Inspector-General, and member of the Executive Council. These were all
the active participants in the outrage. While it was in progress a
number of other persons appeared upon the scene, but did not take any
part therein otherwise than as spectators.

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