The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1821-06-12 00:00:00

MIDDLESEX SESSIONS.

CHARGE OF LIBEL.
Robert Kemp and James Cotton were indicted
for a libel on Henry Beverly Wakeling.
Mr. ADOLPHUS stated the case for the prosecu-
tion. The Prosecutor, he said, was a young man,
conducting clerk to Mr. Price, •n eminent Solici-
tor. The Defendants were, one of them the clerk,
and the other the steward, of • Benefit Society
called the Unite', Friendly Society. Some time
ago the Prosecutor became a member of this So-
ciety, and soon after had the misfoitune of cutting
his hand in a manner which disabled bhp fiom fol-
lowing his occupation. For some time he supp.orted
himself without making any application to the So-
ciety; but his disability of following his employ-
ment continuing much longer than lie expected, he
applied, as lie was entitled to do, to the Society for
assistance, and twelve shillings and sixpence a week
were allowed him. But although lie was unable to
write or otherwise employ himself in his profession,
it became sometimes necessary that lie should go to
Mr. Price's office to give information respecting the
business in which he bad been previously engaged.
—Tile officers of the Friendly Society having beard
of those occasional visits of the Prosecutor to Mr.
Price's office, took it into their beads that he must
he ►reviving his 'salary, and was •o longer enti-
tled to assistance from the Society, they therefore
refused to continue any fu►ther rel►ef. The Pro-
secutor, who was not receiving any salary, and who
%sus incapable of earning soy, felt himself aggrieved

the eortdnet of the officer*, and in conacquence
aiStrainsimed thefts before the Magistrates at War 611111.
Ifertrt Police-office, where th'e payment of h:a al-
1611%nee: reoin the Socisty was ordered. It appear-
dillfilift its it‘oorve of the examination the Proseru-
4earts4e etas inquired. and he stated what he he-
!revert and what he still believes, that he was 23
years of age. The Defendant* proceeded to make a
search in the church books where the Prosecutor's
baptism was registered. from which they came to
the conclusion, that the Prosecutor was not quite
twenty-two years of age; and they immediately
issued a printed circolar Ikter to the Members of
the Society, and which also came into the hands of
many other., in which they stated that the Prose-
cutor had committed perjury in the account he
gave of his age before the Magrstrates. The Learn-
ed Gentleman said these facts should be proved,
end the Jury could then have no difficulty in pro-
nouncing • verdict of guilty.
The Prosecutor proved the case as statett. Fie
accounted for his uncertainty respecting his age, by
the death of his parents in his infancy. but remem-
bered having entered into the navy in the year 1811.
Mr. ANDREWS made a most ingenious defence
for the Prisoners. De said the printed circulars
were only intended to give notice to the members of
the Society of the conduct on the part of orte of
them, with which it was proper they alsoold he
made acquainted, for the purpose of considering
wlnther any proceedings should be taken on it.
The CHAIRMAN charged the Jury that the pub-
lication was in his opinion libellous, but they were
the proper constitutional judges both of the law and
the fact, and he their verdict what it might, the
diameter of the Prosecutor must stand above sus-
picion. Ile had offered himself for cross-exatni-
nation, but was too pore to be injured by it.
The Jury consulted for a long time, and then
inquired of the Chairman whether a part of them
might give up their opinion to the majority.
The CHAIRMAN told them they must all agree
in the verdict. They renewed their consultation ;
and after a little lime brought in a verdict of
1101 Guilty on both Defeudants.