Gazette Of The United States

The manner in which Mr. Fox moved his bill on libels in the house of commons, shewed at once his ability and the nobleness of his mind. Far from seeking to deprive others of their share of honor, he stated the revival of the question by his friend Mr. Erskine, in the Dean of St. Asaph's case, exhibited his argument on that occasion as a master-piece of eloquence and argument, and held it in his hand, while he called upon the house to assert upon its principles the Liberty of the Press.

The merits of Mr. Erskine on the subject of Libels were felt and admitted by the meeting at the Crown and Anchor, in their fullest extent; but as they properly directed their view to what Mr. Fox had so virtuously, though unsuccessfully attempted to accomplish—an enquiry into the practice of the courts, which would have opened the way to a complete reform of every error, they thought it right to confine their resolution of thanks to his motion only.