Dr. Franklin. They are the letters of Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Oliver.
Court. Have you brought them?
Dr. Franklin. No, but here are attested copies.
Court. Do you mean to found a charge upon them? if you do, you must produce the letters.
Dr. Franklin. These copies are attested by several gentlemen at Boston, and a notary public.
Mr. Wedderburn. My lords, we shall not take advantage of any imperfection in the proof. We admit that the letters are Mr. Hutchinson's and Mr. Oliver's hand writing: reserving to ourselves the right of inquiring how they were obtained.
Dr. Franklin. I did not expect that counsel would have been employed on this occasion.
Court. Had you not notice sent you of Mr. Mauduit's having petitioned to be heard by counsel on behalf of the governor and lieutenant governor.
Dr. Franklin. I did receive such notice; but I thought this had been a matter of politics, not of law, and have not brought my counsel.