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800 X, AMERICAN STATE TRIALS.

import of the publication, sinee the offense is committed by
the two coupled together.

First, then, as to the publication.

The fact of writing and publishing is clearly proved; nay,
in fact, it is not denied. It is proved to have taken place at
Sunbury, a considerable distance from the seat of govern-
ment. It appears from the evidence that the traverser went
to the house of a justice of the peace with this paper, whom,
of all others, he ought to have avoided. For he must know
that it was the duty of the justice-of the peace to deliver it
immediately to those who administer the government. He
did so, It was indecent to deliver such a paper to a justice
of the peace, and the manner in which it was delivered was
yet more outrageous—if it was done in joke, as the traverser
would wish to imply, it was still very improper—but there
was the same solemnity in his expression, ‘‘this is my name,
and I am the author of this handbill,”’ as if the traverser was
going to part with an estate. This conduct showed that he
intended to dare and defy the government, and to provoke
them, and his subsequent conduct satisfies my mind that such
was his disposition. For he justifies the publication in all its
parts, and declares it to be founded in truth. It is proved
most clearly to be hia publication. It is your business to
eonsider the intent as coupled with that, and view the whole
together. You must take that publication, and compare it
with the indictment; if there are doubts as to the motives of
the traverser, he has removed them; for, though he states in
his defense that he does not arraign the motives of the Presi-
dent, yet he has boldiy avowed that his own motives in this
publication were to censure the conduct of the President,
which his conduct, as he thought, deserved. Now, gentlemen,
the motives of the President, in his official capacity, are not
a subject of inquiry with you. Shall we say to the President,
you are not fit for the government of this country? It is no
apology for a man to say, that he believes the President to be
honest, but that be has done acts whieh prove him unworthy
the confidence of the people, incapable of executing the da-

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