The Sun.
London, England, 1819-10-13 00:00:00

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THE TIMES.

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St. Giles Norwich, October It, 1919.

Mn. EDITOR—The angry comment of The Old
Times on my Letter, furnishes no bad specimen of
the dishonest arts of misrepresentation for which
that Paper has of late stood pre-eminently dis-
tiuguisbed ; it quotes half of one of my sentences,
end suppresses the rest, and for an obvious rea-
son—to mislead its Readers. Had it quoted the
'whole, it could not have insulted their common
sense with its observations on our presumed igno-
rance of what passes at a distance. We do not
pretend to " know better what takes place at Man-
Chester" than the Reporters for The Times; but
we do know what takes place at Norwich, as well
as those honourable caterers for their honourable
employers; and it it here we take our stand. My
assertion was, that the l‘lembers of the Coffee-
Room had " of late had great reason to be dissa-
tisfied with the partial and false statements of The
Times, especially since the damning proofs of misre-
presentation, suppression, and falsehood, given in its
Peport of the proceedings of the Meeting held here
on the 16th September." We bad reason to be
dissatisfied with its Reports, and to suspect its
fidelity, and I might add, we had some awkward
facts to strengthen our suspicion into belief, even
before the 16th September. But the damning
proofs of misrepresentation, suppression, and

falsehood, were afforded in its account of a Meet-
ing at which we were present. This came home to
as. We used our own eyes and ears, and judged
horn their evidence, what credit is due to the
Reports of The Times. It it wilfully falsifies facts
it► one instance, what security have we for its
veracity in any other I I say wilfully, because no
Reporter on the spot could have sent such an ac-
count to The Times, without knowing that it was
garbled, partial, and false.
I remain, Sir, your most obedient Servant,

JAMES ST. JOHN.

***Well es we knew the principles upon which
The 'limes is conducted, we really are surprized at
the number of complaints which we have received
cf its gross deptavay. We shall certainly notice
some of them.

By the following communiration, received yes-
terday from Atrica, it tvould apt' ar that the Eu-
ropean Powers have at last agreed io suppress en-
tirely the piracies of the Barbary Mates, and hat
the latter, forgetful of the terrible lesson taught

one of their members by British valour, pretend
hot to understand what line of conduct they are
tt 911:red to pursue !.•-••
ALGIERS, SerT. 10.—An English and French combined
111,1adron, composed of the Pi.ocliefort, of 60 guns, and a brig
stf war, under command of Vice-Admiral Sir I'HOMAS FREE-
MANTLE, and the French ship Colossus, and frigate Galatea,
commanded by Vice-Admiral LuaziN; arrived here en the 3d
; (;;; the 4th, the two Admirals came on shore; on the sth,
'alley Presented to the De;, in the name of their Sovereigns,
the Resolutions of the Congress at Aix-la-Chapelle, relative
.61 the Barbary Powers, one of which was to the following
reflect
" That the Barbary Powers will no longer he allowed to re-
-I"itt on the footing they had been ; and that they must hence--
forth, in their political relations, consider themselves to be
viewed in the light of civilized nations," &c.
1 this the Ell•IY replied, that he really could not conspre-
:";(l what the Admirals would say to him, and they have, in
stet* left Algiers without any further arrangement.

THR THRATRE.—The. Honey Moon, deservedly
a Popular play, as it is written with great rigour
of language, and a mixture of unaffected humour,
drew a very numerous audience to Drury-lane
Theatre last night. ELLISTON, the original, and
evrtainly the hest representative of the part of
'tike Aranza, performed that part with all his
former energy, ease, and humour. Mrs. EDWIN
'was impressive in Juliana, and the strergth of
her voice corresponded very well with the
11)44 of the character in the earlier scenes, and
"" Properly subdued, in her altered dispo-
ciion. Mrs. ()EGER took the part of Zamora,
account of the sudden indisposition of Mrs.
14/tatorsz. She read the part in the early
scenes, b,tt soon was able to dispense with the
book, vtis,
n gave a strong interest to the charac-
ter. RUSSELL, KNIGHT, and Miss KELLY, as
well as ThomrsoN, the new Performer, and Ox-
c3l44HY, gave suit,ble support to this pleasant
anledv. The Dance was called for a second
cnt nle, and ELLisro and Mrs. EDWIN displayed
iease as well as activity.
1., the New,Musical Drama announced at Drury-
Theatre, is said to be a genuine production
Aloone late Mr..ToatNe, Author of The Honey

atC:Rnig-EXCHANGI3, OCT. 13.—Our Market Wile
v.-VI:111mb; supplied with Grain this morning,
M'ich consisted of what remained over' from
onday's arrivals, but having very few ::buyers
;13t Wheat and Barley, both these articles were very,
e"Y in sale, yet what little of each was clis-
i'
,s"(*(1'ot obtained Monday's prices, the inferior
.nualities were totally unsaleable; White Peas are
)ather
cheaper. In Beans, Oats, and other articles
there is no alteration.
THB. INIURDEit AT CLAPTON..—JOII7I llomesby,
"yhose confession of having murdered his wife an-
P, eared T
in ~ e SUN of Saturday last, was broil&
town from Canterbury, on Monday night, in
"Btt'tlY of llutlis-en, the Bow-street officer, and
d'elY lodged in Neregate. The wretched man
• appearsl-ertectly aware of the awful situation in
-.li;en lie stands
Parit ; and talks of nothing but pre-
f 'K himself, by religious exercises, for that
• .sf,
, which be seems assured, awaits him. He is
'her a diminutive man, and apparently of very
weNki
ly constitution.
tq,,„4 I"eelirig of the Radical Reformers of this
,
n is appointed for Wednesday the 20th inst.
nem
y-loor lIHRICS are annexed to the notice.—
WWI Packet, Oct. l:#.)

1 A L't ItLIA

CARLI LE'S TRIAL.

COURT OF KING'S BENCII, GUILDHALL, Oct. 12.
Before Chief Justice AnsorT, and a Special Jury.

THE ATTuRNET,GENERAL V. RICHARD CARLILE.
[FULL PARTICULARS.]
This being the day fixed on for the trial of Mr.
Cathie, on the informations exhibited against him
by the Attorney-General, so early as half-past 7
o'clock a number of respectable persons were col-
lected about the entrance of the Guildhall. The
number was every momeat increasing, and at nine
o'clock the crowd became immense.

Amidst the crowd we remarked many of the
well known disciples of Tom Paine, who come
forward on this occasion, as they vauntingly ex-
claimed, to witness " the proud triumph of reason
and common sense, over bigotry nod intolerance."
From the strenuous efforts of these persons to ob-
tain prominent situations, it was manifest that
they were anxious to give confidence to their
champion by their presence.
The Sheriffs had made every possible prepara-
tion to prevent the confusion usually resulting
from so numerous an assemblage. The City Mar-
shals were directed by the Lord Mayor to be in
attendance with a body of constables to aid in
preserving order, anti every °filet- necessary pre-
caut'on was adopted. Within the Hall, and in
the immediate avenues of the Court, barriers and
strong railings were erected, to counteract the
(Keel of pressure, and hatches were constructed
which precluded the admission of more than one
person at a time. Across that part 01 the Court
which is usually appropriated to the public, two
strong beams were introduced, within about six
feet from each other, so that the inconvenience
which would otherwise have resulted from the in-
flux of the crowd was completely obviated.
In order to give the Gentlemen connected with

the public press those facilities which are so es-
sential to the performance of their duties, the
Sheriffs had given directions that they should be
admitted at An early hour by a back entrance;
and shortly before eight, Mr. Temple, the Hall-
keeper introduced them to a private room, where
they remained until the arrival of the Officers of

the Court, by whom they were afforded every ac-
commodation consistent wi h the size of the
At nine o'clock Mr. Sheriff Parkins arrived rind
took his seat on the right hand of the Chief Jus-
tice. The multitude now burst in with an almost

irresistible violence, and, but for the judicious ar.
ratigements to which we have already alluded,
the Court would have been taken by storm.—lt
required the utmost exertions of the Ushers, as-
sisted by the police officers, to prevent the ob-
trusion of tire crowd into these doors which were
reserved for the entrance of the Barristers and
Solicitors. At a quarter past nine, the principal
doors were thrown open, and (he main body of
the people were admitted. Their appearance
was attended with the greatest confusion. Se-
veral Clergymen were in the crowd. As soon
as the Court was filled, Mr. Hunt entered
by a side door, apparently in a !Pate of ex-
haustion from the pressure outside. He was fol-
lowed by Mr. Carlile and two of his friends; each
was loaded witb a package of books of various

Mr. Carlile immediately addressee Mr. Sheriff
Parkins, and said, four persons who carried with
then► books necessary to his defence, were ex-
cluded. Mr. Parkins requested a list of their
names, and upon receiving it, desired that they
should be admitted.—They were admitted ac-
cordingly.

At 25 minutes after 9, the Attorney-General,
the Soliciter-General, Mr. Gurney, Mr. Little-
dale, and Mr. Campbell, Counsel for the Crown,
arrived, and took their seats. Comparative order
was now restored, and the Court being full, the
obtrusion of ether persons was prevented.
It appears from the list of the Sheriffs, that the
fire charges against the defendant stand upon the
paper in succession, for trial.

Mr. Carlile made another appeal to Mr. Sheriff
Parkins, and stated that his friends were not ad-
mitted.

Mr. Sheriff PARKINS addressed Mr. Coiling-
ridge, and desired that his orders should be at-
tended to.

Mr. COLLINORIDGE—" Mr- Carlile has already
five friends in Court."

Mr. Sheriff Paaxitis---" I suppose, Mr. Carlile,
those persons are necessary to your defence ?"
Mr. Carlile---•"rhey are laden with books, to
which 1 sh3li have occasion to refer."
Mr-SheritiTaaKlNs—" Theymust he admitted."
The names of tour persons were then given its,
and ordered to be admitted.

At half-past nine the CHIEF JUSTICEL took his
seat. ,
The cause of " The King against Carlilt" was
then called on.

Mr. Hunt instantly rose, and adverting to his
own cause against Stoddart and others, stated,
that he had understood from his Lordship that no
cause should be taken out of its turn. His cause
stood betore th►►t now called on, and he claimed
his prior right..
The CHIEF JUSTICE desired Mr. Hunt not to
interrupt the Court, but to be silent and depart.
Hunt—" Be silent and depart ! Your Lord-
ship said no cause should be taken out of its turn."

The CHIEF JUSTICE—" I never said any such
thing. 1 said that the causes should be taken as
near as possible in their order. You were con-
;lilted on the fixing your own cause, and 1 un-
derstand from the Officer of the court that you
have chosen next Thursday, for which day your
trial stands appointed."
Mr. Huut—" 1 am satisfied with your Lord-
ship's explanation, but five causes are now called,
which may last three weeks or a mouth. Will
your Lordship allow my witnesses to retire ?"
The CHIEF JUSTICE---•'' You may have your
trial put off to a more distant day of you hike."
Mr. Huot—" if your Lordship pleases, for a
week or ten days."
The CHIEF JUSTICE-...." You will settle that
wish the Solicitors on the other side."

Mr. Carlile spin rose and said, he wit, under
the necessity of making another application to the
Sherd for the admission of the persons laden with

book

9 for his oast Tie hoped a peremptory order
would be given tti have them admitted.
Mr. Sherifr PARICIN3--.Let the books be hand-
ed up, and that will be quite sufEcient, I pre-
sume —Mr, Carlile act:picot:ed.
The list of Spechl Jurymen was then called
over, and the following persons answered
Charles Wond, Abchnrch-lane.
Robert Hutchinson, Clement's-lane,
John Hanson, Cr,iolied-lane.
George Harvey, Laurence-lane.
Arthur Chichester Allen, Ironmonger-lane.
:Win Wilson, Queen-street.
Richard Chambers, Doer-court.
William Parker, John-street.
Mr. BELLamY was then about to swear those
Gentlemen, when
Air. Carlile rose and said, he hilti to submit that
the Court. was not competent to try the charge
against him.
The CHICF JUSTICE—If not, you will have the
benefit of the objection when we come to your
defence.

111 r. Carlile—T apprehend that the Court is not
competent, inmsmnelt as the informations of the
Attorney-General are founded on no law of the
land.

The CHIEF JUSTICE—This Court is fully com-
petent to try any charge upon informations ex-
hibited by the Attorney-General.
Mr. Carlile—They are founded on no law of the
land.

The CHIEF JUSTICI3-11 not, you'll be entitled
to a verdict of acquittal.
Mr. Carlile—l protest against the proceedings.
The CHIEF JUSTICE—Yon protest—very well.
The ATTORNEY-GENFRAL then prayed a tales,
and ;he Jury was made perfect, by the names of
the following Common Jurymen having been
drawn Plant, U. Coates, bakes. ; J. Triggie,
chairmaker ; Matthew Ilnlyer, glazier.
The fit mness and decision manifeved by the
CHIEF Jusi'icg in the preliminary proceedit:gs
on the several points attempted to he n.,,ted by
the defendant, seemed to stagger Carlile not a
little, and he appeared to labour under consider-
able trepidation.
The whole Jury having been sworn, Mr. CAMP-
BELLovim was also retained for the Cro Wu, short-
ly opened the plendiogs.

Carlile now w(blressed the Court, S 4 nd re-
quired that the information should be read at the
proper season._

. .
The CHIEF JUSTICP..—YOII must not i,lterrnpt
the proceedings of the Court. This case shall be
tried in a similar manner with all others.
Mr. Carlile.--."1 only requested that the in.
formation might be read, in order that the Jury
might understand the question which they are
about to try."

The CHIEF Juvrice.—The information shall
be rend at the proper season.

111 r, all I desire."

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL felt satisfaction at the
reflection, that on this occasion he should not
have to encounter those prejudices which some-
times were very naturally exci'ed in the minds of
Englishmen, from jealousy of all interference with
the liberty of the press and freedom of discussion;
because he was confident that if the Jury were
not already acqoainted with the charge (as pos-
sibly some of them might he unacquainted with
it,) when it had been plainly stated, accompanied
by time few observation, that he had to make, and
when these were heard, the warmest friend to the
liberty of the press—the tnnit strenuous advocate
for the most extensive freedom of discussion that
could be enjoyed in this country, would be con-
vinced that he Ole Attot Hey-General) would have
failed in his duty had be abstained from bringing
forward the present prosecution. He would not
detain them by any recital beyond that which was
necessary io comprehend the nature of the charge,
in order that they might come to a-fair and im-
partial decision. It had long been the boast of
the people of this country that they live under
the most benign religion that had ever been known
to mankind. It must necessarily be so, es it was
a religion emanating front the Deity himself.—
The Christian Religion, so long established here,
was a part of the law of the land. When,
then, the defendant contended that the pre-
sent information was founded on no law, he la•
boured under one of the greatest mistakes
into which a man bad ever fallen. Fortunate,
indeed, would it be for him if there were no law
under which an offence like that with which he
were charged could be punished, as in that case
be might hope for acquittal. This must be his
only reliance, for in no other case could he hope
the verdict ,of the Jury would be favourable to
him. He, however, would fearlessly state to time
Jury, and confident be was, that he should he
confirmed in the statement, by that authority
to which they must all bow, the Learned Judge
before•whon► this question was to be tried, when
he came to address them on the subject, that
there was not the slightest ground for time asser-
tion of the defendant, that the present charge was
founded on no law. It would be idle for him,
after the oaths taken by the Jury, to declaim on
the excellence of that religion, which formed a
pelt of the Constitution of this country. He said
it would be idle for him to do this, because, after
the oath they had taken, he conceived them to
Lave pledged themselves for the sanctity of that
religion, on the sanction of which alone these
proceeding, could rest, and on which alone they
could depend for an impartial verdict in this case.
For him, then, to discuss the merits of the Chris-
tian religion would in effect be to give it up as a
part of the Constitution of the Country. He
should therefore, in the outset, abstain from of-
fering any such remarks, and leave it for them to
determine in their own hearts whether that reli-
gion was a fable and an imposture, on which all
our civil and religious institutions were founded.
One word might be necessary on the fact of the
Christain law being a part of the Constitution of
the country. That it was so, could not be dis-
proved ; and if the attempts made to subvert it
could be successful, there would at once be an end
to all administration of justice ; for it was only tin-
der the sanction of that religion that they were as-
sembled that day to decide on time question now to be
brought before them. if the Jury were not pre-
viously satisfied of this, why had they pledged
themselves, in taking the oath tendered to them,
by their hopes of happiness both here and in a
future state, to give an impartial verdict ? Un-
less the defer}da©t could wipe that oath, he could

hare little hope of a decision favourable to him ;
he would almost say, that unless they cae
purged from that solemn obligation, it world be
impossible for him to be acquitted of the offence
laid to his charge. If it were an offence to ret ile
the Christian religion, the religion of the Snare,
as it had been held to be through many succeed.
ing ages, when he should read those most disgust.
ing passages of the publication of the defendant,
which it would be his tny shortly to read to the
Jury, he (the Attorney-General) rnieht sit doors
satisfied, that no man, whether he were a Chris-
tian or not—whatever, in short, might be his r.
ligious tenet—that while Christianity contiened
part of the law of the land, no subject could be
permitted to defame it, and revile it, as the de.
fend ant had done ; and under such cireematanees,
he conceived it would be impossible for any Jury
to pronounce a verdict of acquittal. He would
now state that which was eel! known ro his
Lordship, as at the ',toper time he would state to
them, that to revile with a view to being into
contempt the Christian religion, sea, contrary to
the common law of the land. It was also an of.
fence against various statutes, if it had been ne-
cessary to refer to them on the present occasion.
He should, therefore, find no difficulty its show-
ing that that with which the delved:on was
charged must always be regarded as a criminal of.
fence, for which the Fatty committing it was
ble to punishment, the first case to which he
would call the attention of the Court; occurred so
long ago as in the time of King Clenlea 11. It
was tried before a Judge, who, as lone as li it iss
few should endure, would he held in the highest
estimation, as ct lawyer and as a man. It was nn
information against a person of the name of Tay-
lor, for merely titter ing blasphemous expressiops.
Ile would not disgust the July by repeating the
whole of the words lie had uttered, as they were
horrible to hear, tinniest) not worse than those
which it would be his duty to prove had been prate
lisped by the present defendant. Tes tor, it was
proved, lied card religion a shear, arid declar.
ed that he feared neither God nor Dean, B
on his trial, he owi ed the words, but endeevonr-
ed to show that part of them had been tittered
with a meaning different to that which had beets
supposed to attach to them. The Judge decided,
that to say religion was a cheat, eves not only tin
offence against religion, but also an etrerice
against the law, es it went to dissoke all
those obligations which held society teeether.—
This was the decision of Sir Matthew Hale ; yet
now they were told by the present defendant,
that the charge brought Against hint had no fetitt•
detiou in law. Ile would say, in the language
of the Learned Judge that he h rd jest tut !menet',
that to revile the Christian religion was "
only an offence against God, bet also against ti e
law of the State arid the Governmele of the
realm." Taylor was convicted, acrd a vets se-
vere sentence was given against him. Btr tlAr
precedents that might be adduced did not stop -1
the period to which he had gone hack. At the
ethntneucement of the reign of George the Sc-
cowl, a person was convicted on four informs.
Lions. He a:ternpred to justify himself by im-
pugning, as he had previorisly done, the miracles
of our Saviour, and the belief whlch all Christians
profess. This mode of defence the Court would
not suffer him to preeeed with, tied without wish-
ing to interfere with the discussions of leerned
men on particular poi its, it was forbidden tomike
a general attack on the Christian relinion. In
this case also conviction took place, and sentence
was given against the defendant. Ile might refer
to what bad been done at a liter period, when
one Williams had had the hardihood to send twin
the same infamous and blasphemous publicetiun
which was the subject of the present prosecetinn;
On that occasion the decedent was prosecuted
by an advocate, who had ever been distineuished
among the friends of free discussion and liberty of
the press, the present Lott' Erskine. He, though
he adhered to all he had ever uttered in defence
of those inestimable blessings, hail contended that
punishment was called for in a case where t
was attempted to . undermine those relOons
principles on which the [lt es,ht comfort of
mankind, and the hopes of eternal hAppinessi
were founded. On that occasion, the de-
fendant was convicted, after an at tempt to
do Cost which he hoped would not be attempted
this day, to defect the publication. In 1812, e
person of the name of Ea.on sent forth the very
same book. He was tried before the predece•st r of
the present Chief Justice: but was it held by the
learned persons engaged on that occasion, that to
revile the Christian religion was not contrary to the
law of the land ?. No such a doctrine had ever
obtained there; end' successive Juries, and suc-
cessive Confta, had found successive defeedants
guilty of It'seriots .offence against the laws of
their country. This had been so decided at a pe-
riod when every thing connected with the liberty
of the press and freedom of discussion was most
likely to be fully investigated and sifted to the
bottom. After stating this, he was content to
leave it to the present Court and Jury, whether or
not such conduct, at the present day, was to be
viewed as an infraction of the law of the land. It
it were admitted that the Christian religion were
a part
of the hiv of the land, it remained to be
shown whether or not the Defendant had violated
that I.w, by publishing one of the most ahoinies-
hie, disgesting, and wicked attacks or' reiieinte
that hid ever appeared in the world, The first
attack had been made on the Old Testanieet, as
the writer knew that throwing discredit o that
was the readiest way to bring the New Testa-
ment into discredit. lire Attorney-General Gen
read from the first count the part beginning with
the words, " Whenever we rt ad," &c. and end.
ing with " brutalize and corrupt mankind."---
He would put it to the Jury, as fathers of fa-
milies, anxious to teach their children to fear
God, and hope for that eternal happine,s so glo-
riously displayed by our holy religine, what their
feelings must he, if flit y found sech a paper had
beets put into the hands of their offspring and
domestics. If they wanted a key to the mind of
the Author, they would find it in the followieg
passages
" Did the Book called the Bible excel its purity
of ideas and expres•ion, all the bo. Ks that are
now extant in the world, I would not rake it for
my rule of faith, as being the woad tit God, he.
cause--(because wbat 1)--tbe possibility would,