The National Register.
London, England, 1811-02-24 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

•
the mode of punishing English soldiers ; .and it was _
an extract from his (the Attorney-General's) speech
Trial of Cobbett. The words of the motto vver,
gressors were not treated as Buonaparte would has
refractory troops." That was the 'burden of the wl.
tion ; and its tendency was to obtain an improper mil
the minds of the soldiers.. The articles commenced
tieing two or three cases of fl.ggings among our
rious parts of England, and on those the author h;
to comment, and to contend that flog in; soldiers
to break thew spirit, and degrade them in the eyes ,
low-comrades. The tendency of the libel, however
mischievous ; for it went to sow discontent and, insul
among our army. Such being its tendency, he was
Jury would think with him, that the interest of the
the honour of the army, required that such a Jibe:
punished.
The libel was then read. It stated, from a Stamford
that a man of the name of Curtis, a corporal, had been
to 1000 lashes, and that 200 lashes of that sentence
flicted on him, when the man commuted the remaining
his sentence, by consenting to enter the foreign
next Court-Martial sentence noticed was, where a
sentenced tolooo lashes and who had received 800
of his sentence. On diese sentences the author
comment, observing, that they were more cruel than
that the French hakhad recourse to, &c.
Mr. Brougham thin rose to address the Jury on
defendants. In advocating the cause of the defend
much to contend against—he had to contend against
influence, and high office of tht Attorney-General.
Gentleman here commented at considerable length
sent state of the press. The licentiousness of the
tamed a height that it had never before attained,
or in any other country; it certainly never had
The licentiousness of the press was now such th;
person, however humble, harmless, or lowly,
those venal persons who bring individuals before
for the purpose of satisfying their insatiable curiosity
to feast on scandal. Though he censured this venali)
far from saying that there was nothing to be
extenuation ; the public themselves were much
There were many who only wished to exist for
being stared at and talked of ; and this circurnstart
stimulated the desire to feast on, and provide '
scandal. So eager were the Public after privat,
they were known to pay those well who were
derers ; those who provided a great deal. This
Public was it, that promoted, if not caused, the lip
the press; and that it was th,j,t„ would tend to .
friends. 'With respect to the libel itself, he wf
counselled the defendants to come forward in the;
he not been convinced that they could make a good
merits of the case. It was for the Jury to decide whr-
in question had been published with the intent
information. By their verdict it would be decide,
Englishman should continue to enjoy the privileg.
all public measures—whether he should be privileged
his comments on the policy of and general system
ment proceeding. By their verdict it would be
tiler a person possessing a strong 1 ve of coup.
mently impelled to raise her glory, should be privilqed to point
out any little defect that he might find in the conduct of .
Governors. By discussion alone could the defects and flaws of
system be discovered, and their verdict would determine whe-
ther the people of England should continue the right of free
discussion. It must he known to the Jury, that the perfection
of our military had almost engrossed the whole attention of our
Government for many years past. For that purpose many plans
had been submitted to their consideration. ro a publication
respecting the army he would turn their attention. It was
written Sir Robert Wilson, and published in 1804 ; and it
was entitled, Upon the Means of Improrin r, and Re-organizing the
Ferre (f the Country. It was addressed' to Mr. Pitt. In that
publication the author spoke with a warmth of language that
became the subject, but with more warmth if possible than had
the author of the libel then before them, yet no one had ever
thought of prosecuting Sir R. Wilson fur a libel. To prove this
assertion, the Learned Counsel quoted many passages. In one
part, the author censured the enlistment for life, in strong
..1 language. then expressed his hope that that " charnel.
house" (the West Indies) would be closed for ever. Though
Sir R.. Wilson made use of such language, did any one ever say
that he was endeavouring to promote sedition among our troops
i in that part or the world ? Sir R. Wilson then proceeded to
describe the evil effects Intern:ant on that system of . flogging
1 which characterized the British service. This he did in strong
i language. " The floggin; of men was a sight too frightful. for
1 humanity to look upon." 46 No mode of punishment,' said he,
L in a...other pan, "is so disgraceful WI 1t caused dal

• • .
...' • 1.44 ik to.
/as headed by
speech on the
!re—" The ag-
ave treated its
whole produo.
influence over
iced with no-.
r troops in var.
bad proceeded
s only tended
es of 'their fel-
rver, was most
nsubordination
as sure that the
ie country, and
)cl ought to be
amford Paper,
been sentenced
:e had been in-
'mining part of
service. , The
a man bk 4 been
00 lashes, part
r proceeded to
than any thing
in behalf of the
endants by had
inst the talents,
I. The Learned
;th on the pre-
ie press had at-
, either in this
in this country.
hat scarcely any
-, could. escape
the public view
Dsity and desire
enality, he was
be adduced in
ch to blame.—
r the purpose of
ance was it that
food for public
its: scandal, that
successful slan-
is temper of the
licentiousness of
alienate its best
would not have
eir defence, had
good one on the
whether the libel
nt alleged by the
ided whether an
!ge of discussing
ivileged to make
item of Govern-
e decided, win.-
intry, and vehei
ivile,ed to point
conduct of her
~..te oars fitlll7C of