Page:Letters of Junius, volume 2 (Woodfall, 1772).djvu/38

28 intend the Crown should sell those offices to raise a revenue out of them.—Is it possible to hesitate, whether this would not be criminal in the Duke of Grafton?—contrary to his duty as a Privy Counsellor;—contrary to his duty as a Minister, contrary to his duty as a subject?—His advice should be free, according to his judgment;—It is the duty of his office;—he hath sworn to it."—Notwithstanding all this, the chaste Duke of Grafton certainly sold a patent place to Mr. Hine, for three thousands five hundred pounds; and, for so doing, is now Lord Privy Seal to the chaste George, with whose piety we are perpetually deafened. If the house of commons had done their duty, and impeached the black Duke for this most infamous breach of trust, how woefully must poor, honest Mansfield have been puzzled! His embarrassment would have afforded the most ridiculous scene, that ever was exhibited. To save the worthy Judge from this perplexity, and the no less worthy Duke from impeachment, the prosecution against Vaughan was, immediately dropped upon my discovery and publication of the Duke's treachery. The suffering this charge to pass, without any inquiry, fixes shameless prostitution upon the face of the house of commons, more strongly than even the Middlesex election.—Yet the licentiousness of the press is complained of!