The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-02-22 00:00:00

The Ai roaner-GENIIIAIp replied-very briefly to seve-
ral of the points made by the defendant.
The cattra-Jarrica, is •summing up the evidence,
told the Jury, that if they thought the words its the ar-
ticle produced slanderous. itnd calculated to bring the
House of Commoos into hatred and enntempt-a-it would
betheir duty to tied the defendant guilty ; if thry were
of a contrary opinion, they would, of course, acquit
him. He would, however, give them his opinion, ashis
predecessors were in the habit of duiug on similar occa-
sions. lie did think the words calculated to bring
the (louse of Commons into hatred and contempt, and
therefore libellous. The liberty of the Press Wig, and
onght to he, dear to all of thesn. The poly way to check
it was, by-repressing its licentiousness; for w;men the
Peeve glinted a victors, overtlinlaws, it would be found
to have gained a victory over itself. .
The Jury consulted 'for a very short time, and finding
they could nut soon agree in the verdict, they wished to
Wire.
Ake of the Jury desired to Winne, before they retired.
if the allegations on the vetoed were unlawful, moan-
cies% and unjust;" and also desired the copy of the
fierosinsaar, in which the article bad been inserted which
formed the subject of that information.
The CHIEF Jcsrica ordered the allegations on the re-
torn. with the newspaper, to be given to the Jury.
The same Juryman, with the others, came into Court
soon after, mid said they bad one question to pot to his
Lordship; it was whether malice was a necessary and
constituent part of the law of libel.
The CHM/ JUITICI said they should judge of the
motives by the actions ; and that if they thought the
words had for their object to bring the lions.. of Com-
mons into contempt and hatred,. malice could not he
separated from them. ale could give them no other
answer.
They retired again, and in mote than an hour returned
a verdict of " Guilty."
TIM KING C. MINIS O.OIIYEN, IN. AND WM. FLETCIIKR,
Chefs Irk iNKLIN, ahull 7itRIIIEs.

This was an indictment against the defendants for a
conspiracy to Cleite tumult and insiirreetion in time land,
by means of circulating, distributing and publishing
certain hand-bills calculated to have 014 tendency. The
defendant Franklin did not plead.
This case excited unrumu►un interest, and the trial
lasted until a late hour at night.
The prosecution was conducted by Mr. Pa %RION, Mr.
WiLDE, anal Sir. HILL ; and the defence bySli. Sca at. Err,
Mr.OURNILT, and Mr. itom.t..tmo.
Mr. Peaasos stated the care in a most able anml elo•
quent speech.
Arthur Seale deposed to his printing certain bills of
the tendency described, for Mr. Franklin, or Mr.
Fletcher, or Mr. Forbes, whom he first took for Oliver
the spy. Oneeveniug, in September 1.114, Fletcher came
to Seale's house, for some bills. and having alighted
from a chariot about seven doors from the house, Seale
went to see if any hotly was in the chariot, and saw an
elderly gentleman, whom he since believed to be Mr.
O'llirven.
Time various bills and placards having Leen reaml,
John Jones was called, and proved Fletcher's call-
ing upon him to stick some bills.
Anne Junes; fire fieughter of the- prlllisnifet vettnoie,
was next examined, and swore, that being ordered by
her father she had watched the gentleman who brought
the bills, and saw him go into 21, Craven-street, Mr.
Oilryen's house.

John flockley examined—Saw Fletcher in Toile°.
ham Court-road, on Monday night, before the Smithfield
smiting, about eight o'clock, near Mr. Seale's printing
office, getting out of the carriage, and go into Seale's
bonne ; saw a gentleman of elderly appearance in the
carriage; and env the sante last Monday, in 21, Cra-
ven-attert ; hi. name is Mr. O'Brien ; saw Fletcher
again coming out of Seale's house ; saw him after go
into the coach ; I got behind-the carriage, and :recoup.
panied it to a coach-stand near Charing-cross. 'rite
same gentleman I saw in the coach ia Tottenham Court-
road got out of the coach there; saw them both dis-
tinctly by the light of the lamps ; Mr. Fletcher went
in a coach down Parliament-street, the other went on
foot up the Strand ; saw Fletcher remove a brown-
paper buudlefrout the coach tothatiu which he went to
Parliament-street ; stopped at Parliament CorTee-bouse,
corner of Charles-street ; took out the parcel and turn-
ed down Charles-street ; saw him go down Downing-
street; knows not the house he went into; it is about
the middle ; Fletcher stopped an hour there ; witness
went to where the coach stopped, and remained there
till Fletcher came hack ; then followed him to the
corner of Northumberland-court, into ('raven-street;
watched him going into 21, ('raven-street; name of
Mr. Brien was on the door ; he had the parcel with
him ; it rained fast all the time ; Fletcher came up to
the house and knocked, drawing lots stick along the
rails ; the sert..lnt went into the area and asked who
was there; he answered Forbes, and was then let in.
Sarah Ilerlden examined.—Went into the serviee of
Mr. O'Brien Jasuary 2ii. WO, and left him the 2d of
January. MI. Mr. O'Brien said he considered Mr.
Forbes as one of the family. No one cause so often as
Mr. Forbes to her master's house ; once heard Mr.
O'Brien call him Mr. Franklin ; Mr. Forbes had sons
coming there, who went by the name of Fletcher.
Was directed by Mr. O'Brien to take a newspaper
to the drawing-room to Mr. Franklin; took it. and
found there Mr. Forbes; said nothing then to her master
about it, but since Mr. Pearson came to inquire for
Mr. Franklin, she had some conversation with her mas-
ter, in which she reminded her mister, that he called
Forbes by the name of Franklin ; his two sons, wife, and
slaughter, often came there; and wife and daughter
went by the name of Franklin, but the sons hr the mime'
of Fletcher. Ile was generally occupied in writing while
at her master's house; her master's time was occupied
in writing also; inquiries were mask fur Franklin In last
October &y Mr. Pearson, who said he came to !sleet hint
there at half-past six; her master was at dinner, and was
Informed of the inquiry; the boy went up, and was de-
sired to answer that his master did not aspect sap
such person there ; he had not been expected, because
he was at the house the same day; the Sunday after
he was expected, and dinner was kept waiting ;,
Mt. O'Brien was uneasy, and asked what was am
appearance of the gentleman who inquired lee 14.
Franklin ; she told him it was so dark die meld sot see
him; be asked what the tientlemen sold: hi rallied bar
sip gal* and .made has repeat the words the-Oentlenenti
used; rstomobers gulag to bed es Sudan the Bth
October ; left the heerth clear and a good Gre; west tol
bed at twelve o'clock so paper wan burnt berate slaw
west to ; 110 omit .was up WWI die went to lied but'li
Mt O'Brien ; in the meriting a iptedly of beret
was on the health; bey Meeter's ilmall,Forrelstad o
way" turrer44 sad Patsy; den hid toe, left; they had
some difereece.