 By chance , Baillie happened to have dinner with a friend of Thomas Erskine , a newly qualified barrister and former seaman with the Royal Navy . Erskine himself also attended the dinner , although Baillie and Erskine were then unacquainted . When Erskine , unaware of Baillie 's presence , " launched into an eloquent tirade against the corrupt and tyrannical practises of Sandwich " , Baillie resolved to have him as counsel in the case . The next morning , Erskine received the brief for R v Baillie and a retainer of one guinea . Initially thinking he was the only barrister Baillie had retained , he was disappointed to find out that he was but one of five , the other four being Bearcroft , Peckham , Murphy and Hargrave , and that he was scheduled to speak last . 
