The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-08-28
from the Boston Chronicles

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From the Boston Chronicle
JON. RUSSELL VS.. SETH HUNT, &c.
The New-York Statesman, after Civ
ing history of the proceedings of Mr..
Russell, in instituting both civil and
criminal prosecution for alleged libels,
published by Mr.. Hunt, in doing which
they are not very sparing in their cpl
thets towards Mr.. R. complete their
statement of his proceedings in the fol-
lowing terms -
Not satisfied, as it would appear.
with two actions on account of the que
ries of Ariel, we have heard, though we
have not seen one of the gentlemen
composing the Jury, that the Honorable
Mr.. Russell also applied TO the same
Grand Jury for bill of indictment a
gainst the Statesman, for publishing
those queries and the article signed
sold Roger Sherman" or for separate
bills for each of the publications.
Heretofore, when the name of an au-
thor has been demanded of editors, and
been promptly given up, honorable
men, considering themselves aggrieyed,
have looked TO the author for redress.
and not, after having thus possessed
themselves of his name, prosecuted the
publishers. But the times have chang
ed, and two or three actions against the
writer, and as many against the publish
ers, are not too much to satisfy the de-
sires of an honorable man of the pres
ent day. An independent Jury, howev-
er, is safeguard against persecution
and an effectual protector of the free.
dom Of the press. No bill was found
against the editors, and they believe
that the attefEpt, under such circum-
stances, is unprecedented, while thew
have the satisfaction of knowing that it
is viewed in the light in which it should
be, by every individual in the communi-
ty, whose opinion they have heard ex-
pressed. An original "duplicate,' p
and trlplicate action, all relating to the
same subject, but differing in some
highly significant particulars, we may
nationally suppose the Grand Jury TO
have thought unnecessary and improp-
er.
On Friday, Seth Hunt, Esq. addressed
letter to the foreman of the Grand Ju--
ry, requesting leave to appear before
that body. which was granted On his
appearance he stated, that he requested
admittance for the purpose of present.
ing to their notice letter addressed 10
Mr. Jonathan Russell, dated the 9th of
July, written by him, said Hunt, and by
him procured to be published in the
Statesmen of the Sd of August. He
pointed out the following paragraph,
which he explained. and desired that
Mr.. Russell might be called before them
and Intercepted as to the truth or falsi-
ty of the imputation it conveyed-and if
Mr.. Russell should deny their truth, he
requested that a bill Of Indictment might
be found against him for libel. which
he admitted the paragraph contained,
provided the same was false
| think it proper also to apprise you,
that | shall endeavour TO prove, by the
testimony of person now in France,
'and blythe oaths of two gentlemen now
Sin New-York, that Mr.. Jonathan Rus
5 sell did also communicate to another
'person in London, information as 10 the
sprogress and prospects Of the ncgocia-
: tons at Client, that the first private an
formation Of the peace, receiOed IN Lon
don, ocas conveyed BY him to that persona
ga subpoena for Mr. Russell was ac-
eordingly directed to one Of the consta-,
bles, and on Saturday he appeared and
was examined. The jury found bill,
as Mr.. Hunt had requested. We UNDER
stand, however, that the Indictment was
not drawn, the District Attorney think
ing the paragraphs, even il false, did not
contain any thing ii5ettous, as it did not
charge Mr.. r. with coyrnpty conveying
intelligence, &C."
Mr.. Henry Mathews, Of London, has
issued plan for Dictionary, TO enable
IN 80 Il IL