Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-01-14
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the National Intelligencer.
Case Of John Wilkes,

THE GLENTWORTH PAPERS.
One OF these cases is remarkable in the
political and judicial history of England
the other, in that of this Country. During
the late Presidential contest, I do not know
that the case OF John Wilkes was made the
subject OF comment or allusion either bv
public speakers or political writer's. 1t is
for the purpose of making some remarks on
that very important case in English history
that write this article.
l shall make the statement of the case
Of John Wilkes as brief as is consistent
with perspicuity.
In 1862, weekly political paper, called
The Briton. was established in defence
Of the measures of Lold Butte, and con-
Quoted by DR.. Smolet. Mr.. Wilkes high
ly incensed at the abuse so bitterly lavish
ed on his friends by this paper, instituted
anorher weekly paper for their defence and
called 1t the North Briton." The forty
fifth number of this paper, containing some
remarks on speech of the King in rela-
ton to the foreign policy of the Govern
ment, came under the notice ofihe law of.
ficers Of the crown, and was pronouncedb y
them to be an Infamous and seditious libel,
| having tendency to ALLEVIATE the affections
of the people from the King, and excite in
surrectlon. fl general 'varrant-that vile
instrumen; ofoppresslon, SO destructive of
the liberty of the people--was issued, and
returns made on it and Notwithstanding
each return made it functus otfcio it was
issued four times. This warrant was serv-
ed on Mr.. Wilkes lin the street. who, not
finding his name in the instrument, told the
officer it he used violence to him there, he
would kill him on the spot, as the warrant
was illegal, and violation Of the right oc
an Englshman. will not detail the sub
sequent procedure, except TO say that the
officer agreed to 60 to Mr. Wilkes house;
from whence constrained by superior num-
bers, he was taken to the Office of the Sec
rotary OF State. In order TO avoid the writ
of Habeas Corpus, which had been issued,
his custody was changed four times in
half day, and he was finally committed to
the Tower. His House was then visited );
closets, bureaus, and drawers broken open;
all his papers--his will and private pocket
book among them, collected together and
taken to the office Of the secretary. Two
nobemen offered to become his bail in one
hundred thousand pounds eache but their
proposal was not noticed. MIR. Wilkes
himself refused his consent to the offer to
give bail, unless his health failed as he
was determined TO test, in this case, " ha,
protection the laws would afford to Free
man.
He was brought before the court of Com
mon Pleas by writ Of habeas corpus
Lord Chief Justice Pratt presided at the
remarkable tria, which was TO decide whe,h-
ell English liberty was reality or shad-
ow. Mr.. Wilkes was discharged by the
| unanimous decision of the court. Regard
ed by the People as the champion Of En-
glish liberty, he was accompanied home
with reclamation by vast multitude, and
his Liberation celebrated by bone6res and
Examinations.
Actions at law were commenced against
the officers who had been Instruments in
the proceeding, and heavy fines imposed
by the juries Lord North confessed, in a
debate in Parliament, that this case cost
the Government more than one hundred
thousand pounds. Lord Halifax, Secreta-
ry of State, evaded decision on his case
until MIR. Wilkes was outlawed; and then
advanced the plea that, as an outlaw, he
could not hold any action. After the out.
lawry was reversed, the action was revived,
and a verdict -four thousand pounds dam.
ages rendered against Lord Halifax
The result of this case was, that, by a
high court of England, the SEIZURE of pa
pers, except in cases of high treason, was
declared to be illiga The Judicial opin-
ion of Illegally was also expressed
with regard to general warrants. When it
is considered how important these decisions
were to the private relations and personal
liberty Of every man in the kingdom, it
is not strange that Mr.. Wilkes become the
Idol Of the People, and was elected Sheriff
and Lord Mayor of London, and was re-
peatedIy returned to Parliament, notwi;h-
standing his expulsion from that body. He
thus speaks of himself; whilst l live