Lord COKE says: "If many conspire to levy war, and some of them do levy the same, according to the conspiracy this is high treason in all." "Why? Because all were legally present when the war was levied? No. "For in treason," continues Lord COKE, "all be principals and war is levied." This doctrine of Lord COKE has been adopted by all subsequent writers; and it is generally laid down in the English books that whatever will make a man an accessory in felony will make him a principal in treason:
"It is well known," says FOSTER, " that in the language of the law there are no accessories in high treason – all are principals. Every instance of incitement, aid, or protection, which in case of felony will render a man an accessory before or after the fact, in the case of high treason, whether it be treason at common law or by statute, will make him a principal in treason."