| Citation |
BNL.764.009
23 Feb 1764:21 (3131)
London, December 8. On Tuesday the [ ] December, instant,
one of the most interesting points of civil liberty was
determined, in a cause in Westminster-Hall, before the truly
patriotic and right honourable Lord Chief Justice pratt, and
a special jury of gentlemen of the county of Middlesex;
wherein John Wilkes, Esq; was plaintiff, and Robert Wood,
Esq; member for Brackley, and late Under Secretary of State,
was defendant, (for seizing Mr. Wilkes's papers, as the
supposed author of the North-Briton, no. 345.) when after an
hearing of near fifteen hours, many learned arguments, on
both sides, and a most masterly pathetic and eloquent charge
given by his Lordship, (the jury withdrawing for half an
hour) a verdict was given for the plaintiff, with one
thousand pounds damages, with full costs of suit. . . A
large body of people went to Mr. Wilkes's house in Great
George-street, and staid there an hour, playing upon French
horns crying out, 'Pratt, Wilkes and liberty for ever;' and
they afterwards proceeded to Lord Halifax's. . . [1 more
para]
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