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being a subscription from the brave Republieans of Bury in this neighbourhood, for your manly conduct in defence of Universal Liberty, and hoping that you may be crowned with victory over both the Prosecuting Gangs, and that "Little Jeff" may live to see the day of the liberation of my companion and friend Joseph Rhodes.

I remain your Friend and Fellow Citizen,
JAMES WHEELER.

TO MR. JAMES WHEELER, MANCHESTER.

CITIZEN WHEeler, Dorchester Gaol, March 26, 1822. THE first time you have an opportunity of going to Bury, you will not fail to return my thanks to those Republicans of Bury who have subscribed their several mites to my support, and to do all you can to make them further acquainted with me, and me with them. All the efforts at delusion I find are vain in Lancashire, and that no name, no hypocrisy, no falsehood, can prevent the men of Laucashire from a free enquiry into the real character of my publications, and an impartial judgment both of them and their Publisher. This is all I seek. I do not ask their esteem upon any false pretensions, I do not desire any clamour to be made about my name, but I wish every man to examine the principles I advocate, and to form his own conclusions as to whether they are right or wrong, moral or immoral, and not be led away by false rumours and the reports of others.

I am, Citizen, respectfully yours,
R. CARLILE.

CASE OF JOHN MATTHEWS,

Who was Executed for printing a Pamphlet in the Year 1719, being the Sixth Year of the Reign of the FIRST GUELPH.

WE have repeatedly made allusions to this case as a proof that but little was gained in exchanging the Stuarts for the Guelphs, and that every improvement in the state of the

Press and political knowledge had been obtained by dint of perseverance in opposition to persecution and danger; and every advantage of living under the Guelphs in preference to the Stuarts has been wrung from, and not conceded by the former, upon the same principles as might have been done with regard to the latter, if the same measures had

been taken.

We shall not now subject ourselves to a charge of Jacobitism, (and to that of Jacobinism we have no objection, though we contemn the phrase) in comparing the Stuarts to the Guelphs, as the former family is said to be extinct, and if not, there is not much danger of their possessing power in this Island again. We sincerely hope that no other family but the present will ever possess Kingly power in this country, and the sooner Nature takes the present to her maternal lap, the better will it be for the people who live under them.

A Correspondent from Leeds has favoured us with a narrative of the case of John Matthews, by which we are assured, the pamphlet we mentioned in the 10th Number as having in our possession, is not a copy of that which he printed, as we previously suspected, although sent to us as such. The following narrative makes it evident that the pamphlet could have little or no circulation, and as likely as not to have been printed at the instigation of some spy, informer, and instigator.

John Matthews was the son of a Printer, in Aldersgate Street, to whom he was apprenticed, but his father dying, he continued to serve with his mother. Having made connections with some persons of Jacobitical principles, he printed some papers against the Government, for which be was once taken into custody, but the evidence being incomplete, he was dismissed.

Encouraged by this escape, he was induced to print a pamphlet entitled, "Ex ore tuo te judico. Vox Populi, vox Dei."" Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee. The voice of the people is the voice of God." For this offence he was brought to his trial on the 30th of October, 1719; when it appeared that he had composed the pages of the pamphlet in question, but locked them up lest they should be found and made use of to his prejudice.

An elder brother of Matthews apprehending that the youth might' endanger himself by his propensity to the printing such pamphlets, directed a journeyman, named Lawrence Vezey, to lock up the door of the printing-house

every night and bring him the key: but Vezey, like a vil lain, as he was, first suffered the young fellow to print the supposed treasonable matter, and then gave evidence against him.

A general warrant being granted by the Secretary of State for the search of Mrs. Matthews's house, the Bloodhounds of Government found a number of the supposed libel in a room, which the prisoner acknowledged to belong to him. He was carried before the Secretary of State, who committed him to Newgate on his refusing to give up the author.

When Matthews was arraigned at the bar, Vezey swore that the prisoner brought the form containing part of the book to the press, and bid him pull a proof of it, which be did; and that the prisoner afterwards came down to him and said, that the pages had been transposed, but he had now put them right, and he then pulled him another proof. That the prisoner desired this Evidence to come early in the next morning to work off the sheets, saying, that he himself would take care of the paper, and that every thing should be ready.

Accordingly, Vezey went early one morning, intending to call upon William Harper, the apprentice; but the prisoner came to the door, let him in, and called Harper, who assisted Vezey in working off the sheets, Matthews standing by and taking them from the press for the greater expedition; and when the work was done the prisoner paid Vezey for his trouble. This evidence was likewise confirmed by Harper, as far as he was concerned in the transaction; and he added, that he saw the prisoner composing the matter from the manuscript copy.

The Counsel for the Crown exerted their utmost abilities to aggravate the crime of the prisoner, and the King's Messengers swearing to as much as they knew of the affair, Matthews was found guilty, and sentence of death was passed upon him.

After condemnation he was attended by the Rev. Mr. Skerrett, who also accompanied him to the place of execution. His whole behaviour after sentence was such as might be expected from one who had too much sense to expect. favour from the people then in power, for it was not customary with the Ministers of George the First to extend mercy to persons convicted of treasonable offences. But perhaps their seeming want of humanity will appear the

more excusable if we reflect on the fatal consequences that might have ensued from the Rebellion in 1715.

But nothing can excuse the method they took to obtain evidence in this case. It is but of late years that the issuing of general warrants has been legally condemned; and Englishmen are not a little obliged to a man, who, whatever his faults may be, has procured the condemnation of these warrants. Happily, we can now sit quietly and write our sentiments in our own houses without being liable to have our papers seized by the arbitrary mandate of a Secretary of State. While we recollect that we are obliged for this favour, in a great degree, to the perseverance of Mr. Wilkes, we should not forget that the judicial determination of Lord Camden perfected the plans so happily begun and so steadily pursued.

John Matthews was executed at Tyburn on the 16th of November, 1719, in the 19th year of his of his age.

Should any friend possess a copy of the pamphlet for which this youth was hanged, we shall be glad to be favoured with a perusal of it, to see if it be worth reprinting, or what grounds there were for this murder.

EDITOR.

TO MR. R. CARLILE.

SIR, Manchester, March 23, 1822. IF you deem the following Dialogue worthy a place in your invaluable publication, you will by inserting it oblige a lover of truth and an admirer of your honest conduct and political firmness in the cause of equity.

DIALOGUE.

J. R.

A French Gentleman having just arrived from France, and accidentally meeting with an American at the inn, the conversation between them commenced as follows:

Q. I presume, Sir, you are an Englishman?-A. No, Sir, an American, but I have resided several years in this country.

Q. Have you visited any other parts of the kingdom?-A. Yes; and having travelled the whole of Britain twice, and some of it three times, I am now pretty well acquainted with the country, and the people also.

Q. Then, Sir, you are a very competent person to render me much gratification, and give me much of that information which I am so desirous to acquire; and may I ask this favour from you ?— A. Sir, I shall be very happy to communicate any knowledge I possess that may afford you pleasure respecting this country, and I assure you, I have not been a partial or careless observer in my travels.

Q. What are the natural riches and comforts of Britain?A. A large portion of rich and fertile land, and a remarkably moderate and soft climate.

Q. What are the metallic or internal riches of Britain ?--A. An abundance of lead, tin, copper, and iron, and some silver. In many parts of the country are found vast quantities of excellent coals; and there are inexhaustible quarries of beautiful marble, and every other description of valuable stone.

Q. What are the natural beauties of Britain ?-A. Numerous rich and extensive vales, lofty and highly picturesque mountains, and small hills, with their sides clothed with variegated foliage, deep, rugged, and winding glens; also a great number of beautiful and picturesque rivers, both salt and fresh, many of which have the advantage of the ebb and flow of the tides. There are also several lakes, perhaps equal in beauty to any in the world, some of which are surrounded by scenery the most sublime, terrific, and enchanting.

Q. What do you think of the English people generally, are they contented and happy?-A. No, they are neither happy nor contented.

Q. Can you give any reason for their discontent? A. Yes, I think there are two principal causes.

Q. What are these two principal causes?-A. Their political and religious opinions, for there is no union of sentiment upon these matters. Almost every man thinks differently in respect to these two important subjects, and each sectary warmly affirms that his principles are correct and right, and of course considers all principles differing from his to be false and injurious. However, the lamentable fact is, there are but very few who think correctly.

Q. Then why are there so many who speak so highly of the British Constitution?-A. Because they know but little of political science, or that they are personally interested in the continuation of the present system: but the greatest number speak highly of it merely from custom, and because it was probably once the best in the world. But philosophy has so much enlightened the people, that many are now beginning to be too wise to be satisfied with such complicated Constitutions and unjust governors.

Q. Will the English ever reform their Government, or obtain an upright and independent House of Commons?-A. No, never,

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