THE FIRST LETTER OF "JUNIUS."

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signature of JUNIUS.* This, however, was not acknowledged by its author as one of the series which afterwards became so celebrated. It was succeeded on the 15th of December, by a paper without any signature, which in its turn was followed on the 21st of January, 1769, by the able and powerful Letter which stands first in the recognised edition of the "LETTERS OF JUNIUS."

This remarkable production was evidently composed with great pains and labour, as may be inferred by the following passages:

"The submission of a free people to the executive authority of government is no more than a compliance with laws which they themselves have enacted. While the national honour is firmly maintained abroad, and while justice is impartially administered at home, the obedience of the subject will be voluntary, cheerful, and I might almost say, unlimited. A generous nation is grateful even for the preservation of its rights, and willingly extends the respect due to the office of a good prince into an affection for his person. Loyalty, in the heart and understanding of an Englishman, is a rational attachment to the guardian of the laws. Prejudices and passion have sometimes carried it to a criminal length; and, whatever foreigners may imagine, we know that Englishmen have erred as much in a mistaken zeal for particular persons and families as they ever did in defence of what they thought most dear and interesting to themselves.

"The situation of this country is alarming enough to rouse the attention of every man who pretends to a concern for the public welfare. Appearances justify suspicion; and, when the safety of a nation is at stake, suspicion is a just ground of inquiry. Let us enter into it with candour and decency. Respect is due to the station of ministers; and, if a resolution must at last be taken, there is none so likely to be supported with firmness, as that which has been adopted with moderation."†

During the year 1769, the pen of Junius was actively employed against the government; and Colonel Barré simultaneously rendered himself conspicuous by adopting a similar course in Parliament. Though very briefly reported, the notices of his speeches are gene

* He had before written as "Lucius" and "Brutus:" a sufficient proof of his admiration of the character of the Roman patriot, LUCIUS JUNIUS BRUTUS.

+ Woodfall's "Junius," vol. i., pp. 47, 48, 49.

rally accompanied by remarks which show that they were remarkably eloquent and effective. The famous Address to the King, is dated "19th December, 1769," and although it is impossible to adduce circumstantial proof that Barré was its author, we cannot doubt of his qualification and disposition to write it. That the King and the Duke of Bedford, were the authors of his dismissal from certain military appointments in 1763, I have shown already (p. 48); and in 1767, the sovereign had observed and complained to Lord Chatham of the conduct of Barré's friend, Lord Shelburne, who opposed the policy which his Majesty approved.*

Proceedings were commenced against Woodfall for libel, as the publisher of the "Address to the King" by Junius; and the action was tried in June, 1770, when Lord Chief Justice Mansfield directed the jury that "they had nothing to determine except the fact of printing and publishing," and that "whether the defendant had committed a crime or not, was a matter of no consideration" to them. They, however, clearly intimated their opinion that there was no criminality in the alleged libel, by a verdict of "guilty of printing and publishing only." Upon subsequent argument, a new trial was ordered, but when the case was called on, the Attorney-General could not produce the original newspaper containing the libel, which was necessary to prove the publication; and no further proceedings occurred.† Lord Mansfield's charge to the jury provoked the severity of Junius, who, on the 14th of November, following, addressed him in the "Public Advertiser," in a letter remarkable for stinging sarcasm and bitter irony. Early in the

* Chatham Correspondence, vol. iii., pp. 260.

+ Other individuals were prosecuted for republishing the same celebrated Letter in the columns of their respective newspapers.

"You will not question my veracity, when I assure you that it has not been owing to any particular respect for your person that I have abstained from you so long. Besides the distress and danger with which the press is

NEWSPAPERS PROSECUTED BY PARLIAMENT.

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ensuing year the spirit of freedom which the Letters of Junius had diffused, animated the proprietors of various newspapers, who proceeded resolutely to report the debates of both Houses of Parliament. The ministry opposed this as a breach of privilege, and summoned the printers before the bar of the House of Commons. They were defended, however, by many patriotic members of Parliament, and by none more warmly than by Colonel Barré. As city magistrates, the Lord Mayor of London, and two of the aldermen, had likewise opposed the proceedings of the crown; and upon a motion for the committal of Alderman Oliver to the Tower, Colonel Barré made the animated speech already quoted in page 16. Junius, as is well-known, took the same view of this question as Barré. At this time the Colonel was in frequent correspondence with the Earl of Chatham, and acted in the House of Commons in conformity with the wishes of that nobleman; and in some cases by previous arrangement with him. Their letters in the Chatham Correspondence, especially with reference to the proceedings against the printers (March, 1771), are exceedingly interesting and valuable. Those of Colonel Barré are vigorous and acute, but (as might be expected in familiar letters) not marked with the same degree of polished eloquence as the published writings of Junius.

The next question which Junius discussed, was one in which there is a remarkable analogy between his opinions and those expressed by Barré,—namely, the seizure of the Falkland Islands by the governor of Buenos Ayres, under the orders of the Court of Spain. The matter was fully debated in Parliament towards the

threatened when your lordship is party, and the party is to be judge, I confess I have been deterred by the difficulty of the task. Our language has no term of reproach, the mind has no idea of detestation, which has not already been happily applied to you, and exhausted. Ample justice has been done by abler pens than mine, to the separate merits of your life and character. Let it be my humble office to collect the scattered sweets, till their united virtue tortures the sense."-Woodfall's "Junius," vol. ii., p. 159.

end of 1770, and the beginning of 1771, when Colonel Barré spoke with great ability in defence of the insulted honour of Great Britain; and avowed, as already intimated, exactly the same sentiments as those expressed by Junius.

In 1771, Junius commenced a correspondence with Wilkes, which was carried on for some time through the medium of Woodfall. The first letter which passed between the parties was one from Wilkes, dated 21st August, 1771. The chief object of this was to induce the latter to support Alderman Sawbridge in the ensuing election for the office of Lord Mayor, in opposition to Alderman Nash, the ministerial candidate. It is a long epistle, without any rhetorical embellishments :-" this is not intended," says the writer, "for a correct or polished composition, but it contains the very best of Junius's understanding." He wrote again on the 7th of September, criticising some resolutions passed by a society calling themselves" the Supporters of the Bill of Rights." Wilkes replied to these letters on the 12th September, and stated the reasons which induced him to decline acting on the advice of Junius as to the civic election. Amongst other remarks he says, "I should fear the Mansion House would be besieged, and taken by the banditti of the Shelburnes." He also expressed his opinion that Alderman Sawbridge had " become the absolute dupe of Malagrida's party." There is no doubt that Sawbridge was really patronised and supported by Lord Shelburne; a circumstance which strengthens the opinion that Barré was the author of the Letters to Wilkes. In reply to the alderman's objections, Junius says:-"Sawbridge is not a dupe to any set of men whatsoever; nor do I think he has taken any violent or decided part against you." "There is another point on which I must be much more serious and earnest with you. You seem to have no anxiety, or apprehension, but lest the friends of Lord Shelburne should get possession of the Mansion House. In my opinion they have no chance of success whatsoever. The real danger is from the interest of government; from Harley and the Tories." Several

other letters passed between these strangely associated parties, but the correspondence dropped in the month of January, 1772.

On the 21st of that month "Junius," who had then for three years* maintained his vigorous attacks upon the corrupt lawyers and statesmen of the country, published his final Letters under that memorable signature. One of the two epistles which appeared on the day referred to, was addressed to Lord Mansfield, pointing out, at great length, and in strong and vigorous language, the illegality of his proceedings in allowing a culprit, charged with felony under peculiar circumstances, to be discharged from custody on bail; and the other Letter of the same day was addressed by way of contrast, to Lord Camden, for whom the writer evinces the highest esteem; strongly urging his lordship to move the impeachment of Lord Mansfield in the House of Lords.

In these two Letters, particularly in the last, the style of Junius seems to have attained its highest perfection. Having quoted a few sentences from the first Letter of the series, it may be desirable to give likewise the opening and the close of the last.

[TO LORD CAMDEN.]—"My lord, I turn with pleasure from that barren waste, in which no salutary plant takes root, no verdure quickens, to a character fertile, as I willingly believe, in every great and good qualification. I call upon you, in the name of the English nation, to stand forth in defence of the laws of your country, and to exert in the cause of truth and justice, those great abilities, with which you were entrusted for the benefit of mankind.". the situation and abilities of Lord Mansfield, I do not scruple to affirm, with the most solemn appeal to God for my sincerity, that, in my judgment, he is the very worst and most dangerous man in the kingdom. Thus far I have done my duty in endeavouring to bring him to punishment. But mine is an inferior

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Considering

It is a singular circumstance that as the first of the acknowledged series of Letters signed "Junius" is dated "21st January, 1769," the last of that celebrated collection is dated on the same day in the year 1772. The latter was "ready for publication," as Junius stated to Woodfall, on the 6th of January; but he would not allow it to appear until the 21st.