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    State of Public Affairs. 267

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    Lit Various Period , Different Questions...

    The Uttres de cachet were the most grievous part of the old French tyranny ; and who shall say , that a speaker ' s warrant , if allowed to the extent that * oni e people would grant it , may not in a future time inflict as great a terror in the people of England ! The spirit , therefore , that has been excited by the late events in several counties , cities , and towns , is nothing more than what Englishmen ought to possess : and it has led to the inquiry into the present constitution of the House of Commons , which , from the innovations of time , has departed widely from its original design , and calls imperiously for a reform .

    Sir Francis Burdett took the earliest opportunity of defending his rights . His solicitor served the speaker and the serjeant of the House of Commons , and the governor of the Tower , with notices of the actions to be brought against them , and the damages were laid to a great extent , but by no means greater than

    the case required . The intervention of the holidays prevented the House from examining into the case , and it was neglected for some time after the meeting , when at last the House found it necesary to come to a decision on the propriety

    and means of defence . Very high language was used upon this occasion . One would have supposed , that several gentlemen , who spoke upon this subject , conceived themselves to be Popes , and that such was the transcendant nature of

    their situation , that it was profaneness and impiety in vulgar mortals to call in question any of their acts and deed ? . To plead in a court of law was a degradation , and the solicitor and any man who served this warrant or future warrants , was to be committed , . A sounder judgment prevailed . A committee was appointed to examine precedents , and the

    result of the whole was , that the speaker and Serjeant should be defended by the attorney-general , and the case is now entered in the courts , the speaker having obtained leave from the court to plead several matters , to wit , not guilty upon the whole declaration , and for farther plea to breaking and entering the plaintiff ' s messuages , a justification under the resolution of the House of Commons .

    Thus the question will be ably argued . We . shall at least have the satisfaction of knowing , what learned men can say upon this subject , and parliamentary history will he developed on both sides .

    Lit Various Period , Different Questions...

    The main question is , the power of the House to take up a subject rof Britain , and to imprison him for writing a book displeasing to them ; and the next , the mode of executing the warrant . On the first head , we shall recommend our readers to the , 37 th and the 38 th chapter * of the prophet Jeremiah , in which they

    will see what is the consequence of leaving men to be judge , prosecutor , and jury , in their own cause . A prophet of God was treated in the most shameful manner , for speaking the truth ; and we cannot expect that passion and prejudice will have less weight in

    these than in former days . It is absolutely impossible for man to give just judgment , when he has self-interest prejudice and passion , to sway him on the one side , and he is controlled by do chect on the other , by no oath towards God , no fear of his fellow-creatures , and no regard for public opinion .

    The outrages committed on the seizure of Sir Francis Burdett , have given rise to an inquiry by the Lord Mayor and the court of Aldermen ; but it is far from

    being satisfactory as to the few points which they investigated , much less is the history of the eventful days properly explained . It is ascertained that a great number of persons were wounded , but the circumstances of the cases have not

    been sufficiently developed . The verdict of the two coroners ' juries remains upon record , and though the culprits have hitherto escaped detection , it is not at all improbable , that they will be here * after brought to their trial . For the

    sake of the corps , as well as of the men labouring under this stigma , it is desirable . If they are innocent , their innocence will be declared in the sight of the country : if guilty , we may be sure that their guilt will be modified by

    existng . The city of Westminster was early in declaring its sentiments on these topics , which it did in very spirited resolutions , in an animated remonstrance to the House of Commons , and in a very affectionate address to Sir Francis Burdett ,

    Their example has been followed in various places , and generally in the same manner , and the House of Commons has been put under the disagreeable necessity of hearing facts stated , at "which , according to the speakers expression , our ancestors would have startled with horror and indignation * Several petition g have been in consequence rejected , being

    State Of Public Affairs. 267

    State of Public Affairs . 267

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1810, page 267, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/mrp_02051810/page/51/