The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. Volume 10: Parlimentary Debates IJohnson, Samuel
History
The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. Volume 10: Parlimentary Debates I
Johnson, Samuel
Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons -- History -- 18th century
I am so far, sir, from being of opinion, that, to make the execution of
this order valid, the house must sit, without interruption, from the
time of the offence to that of the punishment, that if the gentlemen in
the gallery were to be taken into custody, I should advise the serjeant
to wait till the house should break up, and seize them as they should
come out.
Sir William YONGE spoke next, in the manner following:--Sir, if any such
punishment were now intended, I should advise the gentlemen in the
gallery to retire, indeed, but not to hide themselves like felons, or
men proscribed by proclamation; for as the power of seizing any man in
the house is sufficient to secure us from intrusion, there is no reason
to extend it farther; and penalties are not, without reason, to be
inflicted, neither has the house ever coveted the power of oppressing;
and what else is unnecessary punishment?
If, therefore, an intruder is not seized in the act of intrusion, he
cannot legally be imprisoned for it. And any of the strangers, who now
hear this debate, may retire to a very small distance from the house,
and set the serjeant at arms at defiance.
Sir Robert WALPOLE then spoke to this effect:--Sir, whether the question
be proper or not, it seems very unnecessary to debate; because, however
it be answered, it cannot be of great importance: the man has already
confessed himself the author of the libel, and may, therefore, be
punished without farther examination.
That he is the real author, sir, I am not, indeed, convinced by his
assertion, with whatever confidence it was made; for so far as his
appearance enables me to judge of his education and sphere of life, it
is not probable that he should be much versed in political inquiries, or
that he should engage in the discussion of questions like this.
There appears, sir, in the paper before us, a more extensive knowledge
of facts, a more accurate attention to commerce, more artful reasoning,
and a more elevated style, than it is reasonable to expect from this
man, whom, without pretending to determine the limits of his capacity,
or the compass of his knowledge, I am, for my part, inclined to look
upon as an agent to some other person of higher station, and greater
accomplishments.
It is not uncommon, sir, for gentlemen to exercise their abilities, and
employ their pens, upon political questions, and when they have produced
any thing, which their complaisance for themselves equally hinders them
from owning and suppressing, they are known to procure some person of
inferiour rank, to take upon him, in publick, the character of the
author, and to stand the danger of the prosecution, contenting
themselves with the applause and admiration of their chosen friends,
whom they trust with the important secret, and with whom they sit and
laugh at the conjectures of the publick, and the ignorance of the
ministry.
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