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THOMAS COOPER. 785

them the confidence of the people, so necessary for conducting
the public business, was in direct opposition to the duties of
a good citizen, Mischiefs of this kind were to be dreaded in
proportion as the country around is less informed, and a man
of sense and education has it more in his power to extend
the mischief which he is inclined to propagate. Government
should not encourage the idea, that they would not prosecute
such atrocious conduct; for if this conduct was allowed to
pass over, the peace of the country would be endangered.

Error leads to discontent, discontent to a fancied idea of
oppression, and that to insurrection, of which the two in-
stances which had already happened were alarming proofs,
and well known to the jury.

That the jury, as citizens, must determine whether from
the publications of this kind, the prosperity of the country
was not endangered ; and whether it was not their duty, when
a case of this nature was laid before them and the law was
applicable, to bring in such a verdict as the law and the evi-
dence would warrant; and show, that these kinds of attacks
on the government of the country were not to be suffered with
impunity.

THE EVIDENCE.

John Buyers. Know this pa-
per; Mr. “Gooper brought. it to
me on the evening 6th of De-
eember, 1799, at my house in
Sunbury. He came to me at the
door of my honse. Asked me to
walk in. We walked in. This
waa between candlelight and day-
light. He asked for a candie,
He perused this paper which T
have in my hand, pointed to his

name, and I am the author of
this piece.” There was nothing
further passed, only he said:
“This may save you trouble an-
other time.” I knew very well
whst he meant by it.

Mr. Cooper. Had not you and
I been in the habit of frequently
joking with each other upon
political subjects? 0, yes—very
often.

name, and aaid: “This is my

Mr. Rawle read that part of the publication which is included in
the indictment.

Mr. Cooper. Gentlemen of the jury: If it were true, as it
is not true, that, in the language of the Attorney General of
the district, I have been guilty of publishing with the basest

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