“4. That there are writers hired, or paid, by the Government.
“5. To get a good historical view of the state prosecutions for libel, and show how they have originated with bad Governments and wicked lawyers; and to show, in short, that the Stuarts suffered more from this cause than from any other.
“6. To get collected, all the best speeches and strong sayings of eminent men against an army of foreigners in England. You will easily get me some good matter upon this subject, by looking back into the Parliamentary History.
“7. Think of any of the poets who have written against mercenary foreign armies.
“8. Have not the Swiss and Walloon Guards, in Spain, now joined Buonaparte?
“9. I must have, from good authority, the particulars of the contract made with the German Legion, about not being sent out of Europe.
“It will be time enough to set about any part of this, after you have been here; but you will turn your mind to the several points in the meanwhile.
“Be particular in attending, now, to any publication whatever, wherein mention is made of this prosecution, and especially if it has for its object the prejudicing of the public against me. When I get hold of such a thing, I shall begin my operations.
“Do as you please about mentioning my intention to defend myself, to Hansard, or any of them; but be sure to tell them from me, that I hold the thing in contempt; that I am no more afraid of the rascals than I could be of so many mice. And, really, if we have an honest jury, it will be a famous thing altogether.
“I thank you very kindly for your news about my wife. I am a great deal more anxious about her than about the prosecution.”