For publishing this book, Edward Berry, Stationer, of Gray's Inn, was committed by Chief Justice Scroggs; and though he tendered £1000 bail, yet the Chief Justice said he would take no bail; he should go to prison, and come out according to law. And after he, with much trouble and charge got out by a Habeas Corpus, he was forced by himself or his attorney to attend five terms before he could be discharged, though no information was exhibited against him in all that time.
Francis Smith was also prosecuted for publishing this book. He was tried at the Guildhall, in 1680, and a small fine imposed on him. Jane Curtis was also tried for the same offence.[209] The book itself is printed at length in Howell's State Trials, Vol. 7, p. 687.
248.
The Serious Queries against the Conventicle Act, proving it to be against the laws of God, of Nature, and of Magna Charta. 1680.
For the publication of this book, Francis Smith was committed into the custody of five of the King's messengers, by the Council-board to about £50 charge and damage.[210]
249.
The Protestant Domestic Intelligence, or News both from City and Country. No. 57. Tuesday, January 20, 1679.
For publishing this newspaper, a prosecution was instituted against Benjamin Harris. The information is as follows:—
Memorandum quod Samuel Astry Armiger Coronator et Attornatus domini regis in curia ipsius regis coram ipso rege qui pro eodem domino rege in hac parte sequitur in propria persona sua venit hic in curiam dicti domini regis coram ipso rege apud Westmonasterium die veneris post Octabas Sancti Hillarii isto eodem termino, et pro eodem domino rege dat curiæ hic intelligi et informari quod cum Willielmus Scroggs miles vicesimo die Januarii anno regni dicti domini regis nunc tricesimo primo, et diu antea et continue abinde huc usque fuit et adhuc est Capitalis Justiciarius domini regis ad placita coram ipso rege tenenda assignatus et officium illud capitalis Justiciarii bene et fideliter exercuit absque aliqua oppressione injuria sive malegestura quidam tamen Benjaminus Harris de parochia Sancti Michaelis in Cornhill Londonia Stationer machinans et malitiose intendens prædictum Willielmum Scroggs militem Capitalem Justiciarium domini regis ad placita coram ipso rege tenenda assignatum scandalizare ac in odium et contemptum ducere prædicto vicesimo die Januarii anno regni domini nostri Caroli Secundi Dei gratia Angliæ Scotiæ Franciæ et Hiberniæ Regis Fidei Defensoris &c. tricesimo primo, apud parochiam Sancti Michaelis Cornhill Londonia prædictam quoddam falsum malitiosum scandalosum et odiosum libellum intitulatum The Protestant Domestick Intelligence or News both from City and Country. Published to prevent false reports, falso malitiose et scandalose imprimi causavit et publicavit in quo quidem falso malitioso et scandaloso libello (inter alia) continetur prout sequitur On Friday last, the 16 instant, Articles of high Misdemeanor were offered by way of Complaint to the Kings most Excellent Majestie, and the Right Honourable the Lords and others of His Majesties most Honorable Privie Council by Dr. Oates and Captain William Bedlow, against the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs, (prædictum Capitalem Justiciarium innuendo) therefore if any have been oppressed or injured by the said Lord Chief Justice, they will be speedilie Heard, if they in time come in; the Cause will its thought be heard the beginning of February. In magnum scandalum ignominium et contemptum dicti Capitalis Justiciarii et authoritatis suæ in malum et pernitiosum exemplum omnium aliorum in tali casu delinquentium ac contra pacem dicti domini regis nunc coronam et dignitatem suas &c.[211]