The Express.
London, England, 1858-02-23 00:00:00

ANOTHER GOVERNMENT PROSE.

CUTION.

ALLEGED LIBEL ON THE EMPEROR OF THE

FRENCH.

Yesterday Mr. Bodkin, counsel to the Treasury,
attended at Bow-street Police-office, to conduct a prosecution
against Edward Truelove, a well-dressed, middle-aged man,
described as a bookseller, wbo was charged with having
"unlawfully written and published a false, malicious, scan-
dalous, end seditious libel of and concerni his Majesty the
Emperor of the French, with the view to Incite divers per-
sons to aesassinate his &aid Majesty."
Mr. Bodkin appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Sleigh
for the defence. The warrant having been read by Mr.
Burnaby, the chief clerk,
Mr. Bodkin eaid—Sir, this is a ease in which the govern-
ment have thought proper to interfere. The defendant in the
publisher of a pamphlet—whether be is the author or no I
cannot say, but It purports to be written by " W. E. Adams,"
sad ed by defendant at 2411, Strand, at the price
she
atrocious. Ito of a &enactor which I cannot but deeignate se
atrocious. It advocates the propriety of aasasamation, and
is terms, not indeed direct, but not to be misunderstood,
applies this doctrine to the Emperor of the French. I do
not wish to be the party to give any unneotetary publicity to
so erandsions a publication, and as you have already seen the
pamphlet Ido not think it necessary to read it now. Unless
a remand is applied for on the other side, I shall uk you to
commit the prisoner for trial at once. The learned counsel
then called - _

Frederic Williamson' who deposed—l am a detective
officer. I went on Saturday to the house of the defendant, at
240, Strand, where he camas on business as a bookseller. I
saw him sM purchased one of these pamphlets. (Witness
here produced • pamphlet in eight roues, entitled " Tyranni-
ado : is it justifiable P By W. E. Adams. Edward True-
love, 240, Strand.") They were Id. each.
This being the cue for the prosecution,
Mr. Sleigh said—Sir, I am only just instrocted in this
case, and have had no opportunity of reading the pamphlet
through ; but I cannot help saying that I look with very
considerable alarm on such proceedinu on the part of the
government. We are told that this es a libel on the Em-
peror of the French, advocating hie assassination; but I am
prepared to asy—
Mr. Henry—lf you have not read it, Mr. Sleigh, had you
not better take time to do too P I have no objection to wait
while you road it.
Mr. Sleigh— I have not had time to read it all, but I have
looked through every page, and I challenge anyone to show
me where the Emperor of the French is named. I cannot
help expressing alarm at this interference—a man's shop
being entered, and himself brought op in custody, for a publi-
cation which does not contain any reflection on any human
being. I submit with conaidnabis confidence that this not a
libel. The learned counsel proceeded to say that it the
magistrate thought it was a libel, then defendant ought
to have time to prepare his defence. In that case he should
aappply for • remand--delendent to be admitted to bail. He
observed that defendant was not eked by the officer whether
hokum what the pamphlet contained. This was different
hem the case of Peltier, which was a personal libel.
Mr. Henry—So is this There is no doubt about it.
Mr. Bodkin—lt is not necessary the name should be men-
tioned.

Mr. Henry—There is internal evidence, u clear ss pos-
sible, shelving to whom it alludes.
Mr. Bodkin—To ;my friend's application for time I shall
not object, nor to the admission of the defendant to hail in
the usual amounts ; but I must ask my friend to do govern-
ment the justice to remember that if it was their dodge to be
harsh they might have Indicted the defendant at once.
Mr. Henry—That was the course adopted in Peltier's ems.
Mr. Bodkin—lt is the usual course; but as a con/tint-
decal jealousy of that mode of proceeding has arisen, it was
thought right to adopt the course which haa been taken, in
order that If there wu anything to be preferred in his favour
he might have a full opportunity of advancing it.
Mr. Sleigh could not adopt the suggestion that govern-
ment had acted with leniency In the matter. They might
have taken out a summons instead of a warrant.
Mr. Bodkin—We are going to have a new government, but
I hope no government will know its duty so badly as to take
that course in such a u.s.
Defendant was then remanded, beteg admitted to ball in
two sureties of 401. and his own recogniaance for 1001.
Mr. Sleigh asked his worship to tin a lower amount of
bail-201. for instance--es defendant was but an humble
tradesman ; but Mr. Henry declined, and in the course of an
hour bail to the amount fixed was provided, and defendant
waa set at liberty.

TUE MINISTEEIAL CEI6III.—LIVERFOOL.—Lord
Palmerston has of late best exceedingly popular In Liver-
pool, where he was regarded as a true champion and up-
holder of our national groataers. Eta recant fatal advocacy
of an obnoxious and despotic mossure has, however, com
plitely tossed the Meet his gresinesa, and the news of hie
defeat on Friday and sabonnent resignation hu excited
universal satisfaction. It is now felt that our honour hes
been vindicated before the world, and that our outraged
listings have found their true English vent. It matters not
who swamis Lord Pahnereion, it is sufficient to know that
the injury he would have indicted upon us has been be-
comingly resented.
LAW AMENDMENT SOCIETT.—A mend iseottner
of this song was held last enelag—Lard Ileseshan sh.
chair. The read the repot et the unmans ea
the Law of Legitimacy, which stand that the Isar=
is too deicing as to prevent say person inn
Wan a court of justice his Odom ell *Moe, Mire some
esetion of property be oracented. Ia en seeks of
declaration exists, @cabling a pkinif to Ann a jean!
dedicator of a right, &poet hem erg seked pre,
enabling • husband or wi* fee nano" be shield a
ration at marriage -a son a disoienden id Issitipaey
an;:po:ledasztr...ll.°tharit cresyrighbitevedil4cia6na PlitirtvalPisoothoithia eashamiall;
midercissisaneralmlommatimind
were of opinion that an act amid he pissed to enable any
English subject to institate prestedinge in a overt of law to
this ocontry for the porposs of raid,' the tandem of Sin
marriage of hie puss* or other easeden, MI of his one
legitimacy, the new Court of Probate Ming the best intact.
.er some conversation the report woe MoPhd. A paper
was read by lir. HUT'S on the appolatnent of auditors to
. trustestates, and craned to be printed.