“That is our verdict,” said the foreman. “We have subscribed to it.”
“Then hearken to your verdict,” said the clerk. “You say that William Penn is not guilty in manner and form as he stands indicted; you say that William Mead is not guilty in manner and form as he stands indicted; and so say you all.”
The jury responded affirmatively, and their names were then called over, and each juror was commanded to give his separate verdict, which they did unanimously.
“I am sorry, gentlemen,” the Recorder then said, “you have followed your own judgments and opinions, rather than the good and wholesome advice which was given you. God keep my life out of your hands! But for this the court fines you forty marks a man, and imprisonment till paid.”
Penn was about to leave the dock, but was prevented from doing so, upon which he said, “I demand my liberty, being freed by the jury.”
“You are in for your fines,” the Lord Mayor told the prisoners.
“Fines, for what?” demanded Penn.
“For contempt of court,” replied the Lord Mayor.
“I ask,” exclaimed Penn, “if it be according to the fundamental laws of England, that any Englishman should be fined or amerced but by the judgment of his peers or jury; since it expressly contradicts the fourteenth and twenty-ninth chapters of the Great Charter of England, which say, ‘No freeman ought to be amerced but by the oath of good and lawful men of the vicinage.’”
“Take him away,” cried the Recorder.