The result of the prosecution does not appear.
A copy of this newspaper is preserved in the Library of the British Museum.
250.
A speech lately made by a noble Peer of the Realm. London. Printed for F.S. at the Elephant and Castle near the Royal Exchange in Cornhill. 1681.
This was published by Francis Smith, the bookseller, and for so doing, a prosecution was instituted against him. He was tried and convicted, but his sentence does not appear.
The information is as follows:—
Memorandum quod Cresswell Levinz miles attornatus Domini Regis nunc generalis 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 Sabbati proxima post crastinum Purificationis Beatæ Mariæ Virginis isto eodem termino et pro eodem domino rege dat curiæ hic intelligi et informari quod Franciscus Smith nuper de parochia Sancti Michaelis Cornhill Londonia Bibliopola vicesimo quarto die Decembris anno regni domini nostri Caroli Secundi nunc Regis Angliæ &c. tricesimo secundo apud parochiam prædictam infra civitatem Londoniæ prædictam vi et armis &c. falso et malitiose scripsit et publicavit et scribi imprimi et publicari causavit quendam fictum falsum seditiosum et scandalosum libellum intitulatum A Speech lately made by a Noble Peere of the Realme in quo quidem libello continetur hæc falsa ficta et scandalosa verba sequentia My lords 'tis a very hard thing to say that we cannot trust the King, and that wee have beene already deceived so often that wee see plainely the apprehensions of discontent in the people is no argument at Court And though our Prince be in himselfe an excellent person that the people have the greatest inclinations imaginable to love; yet we must say he is such an one as no story affords us a paralell of; howe plaine and how many are the profes of the designe to murder him, how little is he apprehensive of it. Et in altera parte ejusdem libelli continetur hæc falsa ficta et scandalosa verba sequentia scilicet My lords I here of a bargaine in the house of Commons and an addresse made to the King, but this I know and must boldly say it, and plainely, that the nation is betrayed if upon any termes we part with our money till wee are sure the King is ours, have what lawes you will, and what condicions you will they will be of no use but wast paper before Easter if the Court have money to set up for popery and arbitrary designe in the meane while on the other hand give me leave to tell you my lords the King hath no reason to distrust his people no man can goe home and say that If the King comply with his people they will doe nothing for him but teare all up from him we want a government and we want a Prince that we may trust even with the spending of half our annuall revenues for some time for the preservation of the Kingdome. In malum et pernitiosum exemplum omnium aliorum in tali casu delinquentium ac contra pacem dicti domini regis nunc coronam et dignitatem suas &c.[212]
This speech was never spoken; and was, by order of the Lords, burnt by the hands of the hangman. A copy is preserved among the Chetham Collection of Broadsides, Manchester, No. 2628; and it is also printed in Cobbett's Parliamentary History, Vol. 4, App. No. X.
251.
An Act of Common Councill of the City of London, (made in the first and second years of the reign of Philip and Mary) for retrenching of the expenses of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, etc. Published, with additional reasons for putting the said Act in present execution, and now offered to the consideration of all good Citizens by some Well-Wishers of the present and future prosperity of the said City. Presented to my Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs. London: Printed for F. Smith, at the Elephant and Castle in Cornhill, near the Royal Exchange. 1680.