Page:Letters of Junius, volume 2 (Woodfall, 1772).djvu/294

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284
LETTERS OF

principles; but I wonder to find him so explicit. Yet, for one concession, however extorted, I confess myself obliged to him.—The liberty of the press is, after all, a valuable privilege. I agree with him most heartily, and will defend it against him.

You ask me, What juryman was challenged by Lord Mansfield?—I tell you; his name was Benson. When his name was called, Lord Mansfield ordered the clerk to pass him by. As for his reasons, you may ask himself, for he assigned none: but I can tell you what all men thought of it. This Benson had been refractory upon a former jury, and would not accept of the law as delivered by Lord Mansfield; but had the impudence to pretend to think for himself.—But you, it seems, honest Zeno, know nothing of the matter! You never read Junius's letter to your patron! You never heard of the intended instructions from the city to impeach Lord Mansfield!—you never heard by what dexterity of Mr. Paterson that measure was prevented. How wonderful ill some people are informed!

Junius did never affirm, that the crime of seducing the wife of a mechanic or a peer, is