For publishing this newspaper, a copy of which is preserved in the British Museum Library, a prosecution was instituted against Francis Smith. The information charges that Francis Smith, the elder, late of the parish of St. Christopher, London, Yeoman, being a pernicious and seditious man, contriving and maliciously intending to disturb the peace and common tranquillity of this kingdom, and to make, excite and procure discord between the King and his subjects did, on the first day of October, in the thirty third year of the reign of King Charles the Second, in the parish aforesaid, falsely, unlawfully, unjustly, wickedly, seditiously and scandalously cause to be printed, sold, uttered and published a certain false, malicious, scandalous, and seditious libel intituled _Smith's Protestant Intelligence, Domestick and Forein_ in which are contained these false, malicious, and scandalous sentences following, _April 9. Mr Everard having two Orders of Council sent him for to attend on his Majesty at the Board Yesterday, he there Appearing, constantly refused to give a Bond for to Prosecute Fitzharris; but, that the Reasons that made others (whose Office it was) to decline it, ought to make him much more shie to do it, It was thereupon granted to him that the King's Attorney General would prosecute. But it being insisted that he should give in his Evidence, as the law required (if what he had discovered were true). Everard, (as 'tis said) replied, that he would think of that, and return his Answer after some convenient time, if he were resolved as to some Difficulties and Quæries; viz.--Whether it was the Opinion of that Honourable Board, that Fitzharris could be tried elsewhere than in Parliament, and whether it were safe enough for Mr. Everard to give his Evidence elsewhere non obstante the Impeachment of the said Fitzharris by the Commons, especially after the Impeachment was lodged with the Lords, and entred in their Books, because the Lords might receive and reassume the Impeachment in another Parliament (as in case of the Lords of the Tower) and then the Commons might become Prosecutors themselves._[232] 277. Del Teatro Brittanico o vero Historia dello Stato, Antico, e Presente, Corte, Governo Spirituale, e Temporale, Leggi, Massime, Religioni, et Euuenimenti della Grande Brettagna. By Gregorio Leti. London. 1683. For writing this work the author was banished the kingdom, and seven hundred copies were seized. A copy exists in the British Museum Library. It is in two volumes, quarto size. 278. The Impartial Protestant Mercury, N^o 89. From Friday Feb. 24 to Tuesday February 28. 1681/2.