The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-08-15
Foreign Intelligence.
COURT OF KINGS BENCH.
LONDON, Nay &c.
rLCMKETT rs, cOBBRTT.

/ =
who is Solicitor General in Ireland, againit Mr..
Goblet, for an alledged libel pubned in the
Weekly Political Regiter, Of the 10th Deem
Der laif. The damages wereia to the anount Of
/, lo,ooo. The libcIlous pahages were contained
| in letter, fgned &c Cambricus," and were as
follow =
| "If Or. Addington had required that Lord
Kenyon ihould direct a Canbridgefhire Earl in
all his Councils, the integrity OF his LorGihip
would have ihrunk from iuch an undertaking,
particularly if condition had been added TO it,
that couple of lawyers, without political ma
bits, political information, or honourable con-
nexicns, were to be joined as alieiIors, and to
be the only aGefiors; on the contrary, his pride
and integrity would have both Joined in prs-
venting fuch men from being introduced into
the Cabinet. lfany one man could be found, of
whom young but unhappy victim of the iuiily
offended laws of his country, had, in the mo-
ment of his conviction and ientence, uttered the
following apoftrophe &c That Viper, whom
my father nouriilled He it was from whole
principles and doctrines which now by their ef-
tccts drag me to my grave; and he it is who is
now brought forward as my profecuiuf, and
who, by an unheard of eXerciie of prerogative,
has wantcny laihed with fpeech to evidence
the dying Ion of his former friend, when that
dying fon had produced TO evidence, had made
no defence: but, OF the contrary, had acknow-
lodged the charge, and fIbmitted to his fate :"
Lord Kenyon would have turned with horror
from iuch fcene, in which, although guilt was
to be puniihed, in the whole drama iuitice was
COMPOUNDED, humanity outraged, and LOYALTY
intulted. "-Again, Z" that Lord KENYON would
have fhrunk from recommending to his Ma
jefty's Councils man who had inffted upon
the ioyereignty of the people as FIRST prin-
cipIe."
Mr.. Erihne, in fpeech of great learning and
eloquence, addreGed the Jury.-He expre7ed
his veneration for the rights of free difcunion,
ard the liberty of the pre1S they were the birth
rights of Englilhmen, he faid, and ihould never
hedeparted from. At the fame time, it was
never intended thoie iacred principles ihould be
confounded, and the Erft elements of Britiih IL
bert be made fhield to protect the unprinci-
pied libeller. The law, as regarded Hbels was
clear and explicit, and it was laid down "that if
man writes or publiihes that which Injuries or
brings into contempt his neighbour, or hal! en-
deavour to thew that al individual is unfit for
the Office he holds, whereby that individual may
be dhplaced and injured, fuch man lhall be
deemed hbeller. ITO that, my Lord Holt,
whole attachment to the liberty of the prefs
could not be doubted, had added, &" that iniuri-
Gus words fpoken OF public character were
more prejudicial than if uttered againft an indi-
vidual in a private ftation.'-The inquiry then
lifhed the words, and what was his meaning
when he wrote them That the libel was of
malignant, Injurious and deftruGtive nature,
there could be no doubt, and when it was con-
iidered that il was written Immediately after the
murder of Lord Kilwarden, it mutt be perceiv-
cd that it truck not only at the honour of Mr..
Plunkett, but in its consequences might expofe
his perion to fimiar outrage. The learned
council then alluded to the trial of MIR. Robert
Emmett, whole fate he faid every one NUT la
ment, however his conduct might be condemn
ed. Hehad filed his mind with fatal enthufi-
aim, that Ireland could only be happy in fe-
paration from England and, 70 falfely poGeiIed
was he of its truth, that after his condemnation
he entered into an eulogium upon the rebellion,
and defended its necef1ity and continuance vet,
after this miffaken and lljudged exultation,
Qaid MIR. ErlliBel he declared that flch was the
mildnefs, moderation and vifdom of Lord
Hardwick' s administration, that he was Obliged
to puih on the catafirophe, and bring out his
aGociates undiiciplined, left his extended and
deep laid rebellion fnould ceafe, from the caufes
that urged it being daily removed, and gradual
ly dfolvug away. Mr.. Erikine further COM
pimented Lord Hardwick's government, who,
he faid, appeared to be perfectly convinced of
the neceilIty Of governing that brave people
with light and delicate hand, and feened to
have adopted the principle Of the great Earl Of
Chatham, who, fpeaking of America fa;d--
" BE to her virtues ever kind;
d" BE 90 her faults little blind;
.. ! .. =! issT ways i,r ,Irrvr1iind;
And clap paddock on her mind"
The learned council returned to the futiea
of A1r. Emmett's trial, and obierved, that 10 far
from MIR. Piunkett having laihed the unfortunate
man m his fpeech 20 evidence, that he had Who'll
ly employed his addrefs in reading a ufeful efIon
70 the nilguded part of his Maiefty's fub-
iie6ts :--antring thole who expected Hppinefs
from French ailitaDce and French principles,
that they would be miferably abufsd that the
leading feature of the French government was
ambition, aud every thing that was the reverfe
of Wilmington, and contrary to all they antci-
psted. At that moment, faid MIR Rrlkine, the
applying the axe to the neck of Mr.. Emmett
was nothing the public example every thing.
The defendant, he faid, had not merely thrown
out the ambigRaJ VoceS, but day after day had
been writing and tending forth his libels among
the community. It was 10 defence TO fav, that
Mr.. Cobbett was an admirer of his king and
contribution, if he was conitantly libelinp the
miniters OF that king, and trdulgrefng the laws
OF that contribution. II was nothing for him 20
| fay" refpe6 my religion and my Cod" II
he broke the Ten Commandments daily. The
Saviour of man faid, "by their fruits fhall We
/ know them," and the court would Judge Of MIR.
! Goblet by mis- works. lie next entered upon
| an exclamation of tbe Eboie all ,,r,,J a. "a 3.