The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 11 (of 12). Edmund Burke

viz., 'That the Lords have that tender regard of a prisoner at the bar, that they will not suffer a case to be put in his absence, lest it should prejudice him by being wrong stated.'

"4thly. Because unusual mystery and secrecy in our judicial proceedings must tend either to discredit the acquittal of the prisoner, or render the justice of his condemnation doubtful.

"PORCHESTER.

SUFFOLK AND BERKSHIRE.

LOUGHBOROUGH."

33

See the Lord High Steward's speech on that head, 1st James II.

34

All the resolutions of the Judges, to the time of the reference to the Committee, are in the Appendix, No. 2.

35

Atkyns, Vol. I. p. 445.

36

Blackstone's Commentaries, Book IV. p. 258.

37

Lords' Journals, Vol. IV. p. 204. An. 1641. Rush. Trial of Lord Strafford, p. 430.

38

Lords' Journals, Vol. IV. p. 210.

39

Id. Vol. XXII. p. 536 to 546. An. 1725.

40

Lords' Journals, Vol. XXII. p. 541.

41

Id. Vol. XXVII. p. 63, 65. An. 1746

42

Gilbert's Law of Evidence, p. 23.

43

Gravina, 84, 85.

44

Id. 90 usque ad 100.

45

Atkyns, Rep. Vol. I p. 37, Omichund versus Barker.

46

Digest. Lib. XXII. Tit. 5.

47

Calvinus, voce Præsumptio.

48

Bartolus.

49

Lib. II. Obs. 149, § 9.

50

Lib. I. Obs. 91, § 7.

51

Antiqua jurisprudentia aspera quidem illa, tenebricosa, et tristis, non tam in æquitate quam in verborum superstitione fundata, eaque Ciceronis ætatem fere attigit, mansitque annos circiter CCCL. Quæ hanc excepit, viguitque annos fere septuaginta novem, superiori longe humanior; quippe quæ magis utilitate communi, quam potestate verborum, negotia moderaretur.—Gravina, p. 86.

52

Omichund v. Barker, Atk. I.

53

Gaill, Lib. II. Obs. 20, § 5.

54

N.B.—In some criminal cases also, though not of treason, husband is admitted to prove an assault upon his wife, for the King, ruled by Raymond, Chief-Justice, Trin. 11th Geo., King v. Azire. And for various other exceptions see Buller's Nisi Prius, 286, 287.

55

Cro. Charl. 365.

56

Omichund v. Barker, 1st Atkyns, ut supra.

57

Rex v. Philips, Burrow, Vol. I. p. 301, 302, 304.

58

Mayor of Hull v. Horner, Cowper's Reports, 109.

59

Abrahams v. Bunn, Burrow, Vol. IV. p. 2254. The whole case well worth reading.

60

Wyndham v. Chetwynd, Burrow, Vol. I. p. 421.

61

King v. Bray.

62

Wyndham v. Chetwynd.

63

Lowe v. Joliffe, 1 Black. J. p. 366.

64

Burrow, 1147. Zouch, ex dimiss. Woolston, v. Woolston.

65

In this single point Holt did not concur with the rest of the judges.

66

1st Siderfin, p. 431.

67

Interest reipublicæ ut maleficia ne remaneant impunita.

68

Love's Trial, State Trials, Vol. II. p. 144, 171 to 173, and 177; and Foster's Crown Law, p. 235.

69

Coppendale v. Bridgen, 2 Burrow, 814.

70

Vide supra.

71

Girdwood's Case, Leach, p. 128. Gordon's Case, Ibid. p. 245. Lord Preston's Case, St. Tr. IV. p. 439. Layer's Case, St. Tr. VI. p. 279. Foster's Crown Law, p. 198. Canning's Trial, St. Tr. X. p. 263, 270. Trial of the Duchess of Kingston, St. Tr. XI. p. 244. Trial of Huggins, St. Tr. IX. p. 119, 120, 135.

72

Harrison's Practice of Chancery, Vol. II. p. 46. 1 Ch. Ca. 228. 1 Ch. Ca. 25. Oughton, Tit. 81, 82, 83. Do. Tit. 116. Viner, Tit. Evidence (P. a.).

73

Carpz. Pract. Saxon. Crimin. Pars III. Quest. CXIV. No. 13.

74

Ibid. Quest. CVI. No. 89.

75

22 Jac. I. 1624.

76

Morris v. Pugh, Burrow, Vol. III. p. 1243. See also Vol. II. Alder v. Chip; Vol. IV. Dickson v. Fisher; Grey v. Smythyes.—N.B. All from the same judge, and proceeding on the same principles.

77

Chesterfield v. Janssen, Atkyns's Reports, Vol. II.