n at present obstruct a
candid and deliberate inquiry: with regard to the publick, I am not able
to discover any pressing exigencies that demand a more compendious
method of proceeding, than the established laws of the land, and the
wisdom of our ancestors have prescribed. I know not any calamity that
will be aggravated, nor any danger that will become move formidable, by
suffering this question to be legally tried.

Nor is there, my lords, in the circumstances of the person accused, any
thing that can incite us to a hasty process; for, if what is alleged by
the noble lords is not exaggerated beyond the truth, if he is
universally detested by the whole nation, and loaded with execrations by
the publick voice; if he is considered as the author of all our
miseries, and the source of all our corruptions; if he has ruined our
trade, and depressed our power, impoverished the people, and attempted
to enslave them, there is, at least, no danger of an insurrection in his
favour, or any probability that his party will grow stronger by delays.
For, my lords, to find friends in adversity, and assertors in distress,
is only the prerogative of innocence and virtue.

The gentleman against whom this formidable charge is drawn up, is, I
think, not suspected of any intention to have recourse either to force
or flight; he has always appeared willing to be tried by the laws of his
country, and to stand an impartial examination; he neither opposes nor
eludes inquiry, neither flies from justice, nor defies it.

And yet less, my lords, can I suspect, that those by whom he is accused,
act from any motive that may influence them to desire a sentence not
supported by evidence, or conformable to truth; or that they can wish
the ruin of any man whose crimes are not notorious and flagrant, that
they persecute from private malice, or endeavour to exalt themselves by
the fall of another.

Let us, therefore, my lords, inquire before we determine, and suffer
evidence to precede our sentence. The charge, if it is just, must be, by
its own nature, easily proved, and that no proof is brought may,
perhaps, be sufficient to make us suspect that it is not just.

For, my lords, what is the evidence of common fame, which has been so
much exalted, and so confidently produced? Does not every man see that,
on such occasions, two questions may be asked, of which, perhaps,
neither can easily be answered, and which, yet, must both be resolved
before common fam