"4thly. Because unusual mystery and secrecy in our judicial proceedings must tend either to discredit the acquittal of the prisoner, or render the justice of his condemnation doubtful.
"PORCHESTER.
SUFFOLK AND BERKSHIRE.
LOUGHBOROUGH."
33
See the Lord High Steward's speech on that head, 1st James II.
34
All the resolutions of the Judges, to the time of the reference to the Committee, are in the Appendix, No. 2.
35
Atkyns, Vol. I. p. 445.
36
Blackstone's Commentaries, Book IV. p. 258.
37
Lords' Journals, Vol. IV. p. 204. An. 1641. Rush. Trial of Lord Strafford, p. 430.
38
Lords' Journals, Vol. IV. p. 210.
39
Id. Vol. XXII. p. 536 to 546. An. 1725.
40
Lords' Journals, Vol. XXII. p. 541.
41
Id. Vol. XXVII. p. 63, 65. An. 1746
42
Gilbert's Law of Evidence, p. 23.
43
Gravina, 84, 85.
44
Id. 90 usque ad 100.
45
Atkyns, Rep. Vol. I p. 37, Omichund
46
Digest. Lib. XXII. Tit. 5.
47
Calvinus, voce
48
Bartolus.
49
Lib. II. Obs. 149, § 9.
50
Lib. I. Obs. 91, § 7.
51
Antiqua jurisprudentia aspera quidem illa, tenebricosa, et tristis, non tam in æquitate quam in verborum superstitione fundata, eaque Ciceronis ætatem fere attigit, mansitque annos circiter CCCL. Quæ hanc excepit, viguitque annos fere septuaginta novem, superiori longe humanior; quippe quæ magis utilitate communi, quam potestate verborum, negotia moderaretur.—Gravina, p. 86.
52
Omichund
53
Gaill, Lib. II. Obs. 20, § 5.
54
N.B.—In some criminal cases also, though not of treason, husband is admitted to prove an assault upon his wife, for the King, ruled by Raymond, Chief-Justice, Trin. 11th Geo., King
55
Cro. Charl. 365.
56
Omichund
57
Rex
58
Mayor of Hull
59
Abrahams
60
Wyndham
61
King
62
Wyndham
63
Lowe
64
Burrow, 1147. Zouch, ex dimiss. Woolston,
65
In this single point Holt did not concur with the rest of the judges.
66
1st Siderfin, p. 431.
67
Interest reipublicæ ut maleficia ne remaneant impunita.
68
Love's Trial, State Trials, Vol. II. p. 144, 171 to 173, and 177; and Foster's Crown Law, p. 235.
69
Coppendale
70
Vide supra.
71
Girdwood's Case, Leach, p. 128. Gordon's Case, Ibid. p. 245. Lord Preston's Case, St. Tr. IV. p. 439. Layer's Case, St. Tr. VI. p. 279. Foster's Crown Law, p. 198. Canning's Trial, St. Tr. X. p. 263, 270. Trial of the Duchess of Kingston, St. Tr. XI. p. 244. Trial of Huggins, St. Tr. IX. p. 119, 120, 135.
72
Harrison's Practice of Chancery, Vol. II. p. 46. 1 Ch. Ca. 228. 1 Ch. Ca. 25. Oughton, Tit. 81, 82, 83. Do. Tit. 116. Viner, Tit. Evidence (P. a.).
73
Carpz. Pract. Saxon. Crimin. Pars III. Quest. CXIV. No. 13.
74
Ibid. Quest. CVI. No. 89.
75
22 Jac. I. 1624.
76
Morris
77
Chesterfield