The National Register. — 1812-08-02 (London, England)

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.  478  PROVINCIAL ASSIZES.  At the Guildford Assiies, on Tuesday last, an indictment *as found against Aag, the Editor of the Magazine, called Town Talk," for a libel on Thomas Best, Esq. The libel was contained in the first number of that work, and was in the shape of the biography of Mr. Best, whom it represented as the chere amie of Mrs. Clarke. ft stated him to have been born ot honest parents in Barbadocs, where his youth had been spent in flogging and torturing negroes ; that he came to this country for education, but was as ignorant as a barbarian ; that his habits were pro. fligate, and, as a gimestet, h.! used unfair practices, and was given to greeking in plating tool ; that he had wantonly killed Lord C. —d, an amiable tgoblvinan in a duel ; and that his wife had deserted him for a more deserving object. Mr. Serjeant FR D, for the plaintiff; having stated the case, Mr. Charles Hai rison, the Attorney, proved that he bought the book in question of Redford, the printer, and he told him at the time he meant to proce:ute for Mr. Best. Redford referred to Agg, who resided within the rules of the Bench. He applied to Agg to give up the author, but he refused ; and observed it was of little use for Mr. Best to proceed against him by law, for he was a prisoner within the Rules as well as himself, and could pay no damages. Lord E LENBO R OUCH said, however little respect might be due to either party, there was yet a respect due to the laws of the country; even the most profligate must not be libelled, for if that could be endured, it would lead to endless breaches of the peace, as those who did not find protecti in in the law, would be driven to be the assertors of iheir own redress. The publication in question had not been dented to be a libel, and could not be denied to be one. They must therefore find the defendant guilty. Verdict—Guilty.  At Gloucester Assizes, Thomas Gardiner, for sending a letter to Iris employer, Mr. John Lewis, threatening to de,troy his machinery, unless he raised the wages of his workmen, was sentenced to be transported for seven years. At York Assizes, Elizabeth Woodger and Susannah Lyall, were charged with the wilful murder of a new-born male infant. The following is a brief but correct sketch of this extraordinary case:—On the :2th of March, the wife of G. Needham, of Blackburn, near Rotheram, was delivered of two children, a girl and a boy, the former was perfectly formed, but in the boy there was a deficiency in the superior part of the head, the brain not being protected by any bony matter, but merely covered by a single membrane. Woodger, the midwife, conceiving that it was not likely to live, formed the design of putting a period to its existence, which was accomplished by drowning it in an earthen vessel. It was then buried, but was taken up again on the lith of March, for the purpose of the Coroner's Inquest:. The surgeon who examined the body, stated, that the child was perfectly formed, except his head, which was deficient in the superior part an inch and an half. Any pressure upon it must have produced dangerous consequences; and he did not think it possible that the child could have survived more than a few hours. The prisoners used no concealment, and it was clear that they acted under mistaken apprehensions as to the law, and thought they were justified in what they did. Several ladies gave the prisoners a most excellent character for humanity. The evidence being gone through, his Lordship in his address to the jury, said—" I think this prosecution may be of (treat use to the public. in removing an erroneous opinion, that the law allows the right of deliberately takirg away the life of a human being under any circumstances whatever. It is, therefore, highly necessary tha the contrary should be known." The Jury found the prisoners guilty, but recommended them to mercy, on account of the mistaken notion under which they acted. His Lordship said he should not pass sentence upon the prisoners, but should write, by that night's post, to L'w4,,,:‘,:rctary of State, to make a representation of the case to the Prince