Page:Tryal of Richard Francklin.pdf/16

 they could find; which was nothing to the Matter then before them; for that they were only to conſider whether the Letter, for which Mr. Franklin was indicted, was a Libel or not, as laid in the Information.

His Lordſhip then read Part of the ſaid Letter, and acquainted the Jury, That in his Opinion; it very plainly reflected upon ſome Miniſters, but who thoſe Miniſters were, he was at a loſs to know; and that the Council for the Defendant, had not ſo much as hinted at them; but that he ſhould be very proud if they would inform him.

Then his Lordſhip enter'd into the Nature of the Thing, that if the Jury was of Opinion that it was a Libel, then he hop'd they would conſider too of what Nature it was that it tended to breed and foment Diſquiets and Diſturbances between his Majeſty and his Allies; but more particularly, between his Majeſty and his Subjects.

Moreover his Lordſhip told the Jury, The Inſults and Reflections, upon his Majeſty and his Miniſters, were paſt by unpuniſh'd, how could they and every other perſon, expect to have Redres? Therefore it was a Matter of the greateſt Conſequence that they had in Conſideration, and that the Publick Tranquility depended upon their Determination, and that if they thought the Extract of the Hague Letter to be a Libel, or whether it is not, is the only Diſpute they had to decide, and if they believed it to be a Libel, he doubted not but they would bring in the Verdict accordingly.

The Jury retir'd into the Lord Chancellor's Chamber, and after being locked up about half an Hour, return'd and brought in their Verdict Guilty.