do not
understand the meaning of the words. I very well understand what is
meant by _corpus delicti,_ and so does every other lord; it is
universally known to mean the _body of an offence;_ but as to the words
_corpus suspicionis,_ I do not comprehend what they mean: it is an
expression, indeed, which I never before heard, and can signify, in my
apprehension, nothing more than the _body of a shadow,_ the substance of
something which is itself nothing.

Such, my lords, is the principle of this bill, by the confession of its
warmest and ablest advocates; it is a bill for summoning a person to a
trial, against whom no crime is alleged, and against whom no witness
will appear without a bribe.

For that those who should appear in consequence of this bill to offer
their evidence, ought to be considered as bribed, will, surely, need no
proof to those who consider, that bribes are not confined to money, and
that every man who promotes his own interest by his deposition, is
swearing, not for truth and justice, but for himself.

It may be urged, and it is, in my opinion, all that the most fruitful
imagination can suggest in favour of this bill, that they are not
required to accuse the earl of ORFORD, but to give in their evidence
concerning his conduct, whether in his favour, or against him.

But this argument, my lords, however specious it may seem, will vanish
of itself, if the bill be diligently considered, which is only to confer
indemnity on those, who in the course of their evidence shall discover
any of their own crimes; on those whose testimony shall tend to fix some
charge of wickedness on the earl of ORFORD; for it cannot easily be
imagined how those who appear in his favour, should be under a necessity
of revealing any actions that require an indemnity.

Thus, my lords, it appears that the bill can produce no other effect
than that of multiplying accusations, since it offers rewards only to
those who are supposed to have been engaged in unjustifiable practices;
and to procure witnesses by this method, is equally unjust as to propose
a publick prize to be obtained by swearing against any of your
lordships.

If witnesses are to be purchased, we ought, at least, to offer an equal
price on each side, that though they may be induced by the reward to
offer their depositions, they may not be tempted to accuse rather than
to justify.

Should any private man, my lords, offer a reward to any that would give
evidence aga