The Virginia Gazette

LONDON, JUNE 9.

YESTERDAY morning, at eight, Mr. Wilkes was brought from the prison of the King's-Bench to the court: the Judges came about nine. It had been mentioned the last term, that a new argument was desired, and that new ground might be taken for the reversal of the outlawry. At the opening of the court, Mr. Wilkes made a short speech: That he was perfectly satisfied with the state of the argument as it was left by Mr. Serjeant Glyn: that he did not mean to quit the firm and solid ground on which it rested; and was persuaded, from the justice of the court, that his outlawry must be reversed. The Attorney General then, in support of the outlawry, entered upon a very long argument, to which no one of Mr. Wilkes's counsel replied. The Judges afterwards delivered their opinions very fully, and were unanimous that the outlawry was illegal, and must be reversed. Their Lordships differed as to their reasons, but all concurred in the reversal, and the irregularity of the proceedings. The Attorney General then demanded judgment on the two verdicts. Mr. Wilkes then desired to avail himself of several points in arrest of judgment. He said that when he had the honour of appearing before that court on the 20th of April he had stated the case of the alteration of the records at Lord Mansfield's own house: that his Lordship had replied, but that however his Lordship had delivered only his own opinion; and that the opinion of one Judge, however distinguished for great ability, was not the judgment of the court, which he desired, and submitted to; and begged that his counsel might argue that, and some other points of importance. Several things were afterwards mentioned by the Attorney General, and by Mr. Wilkes's counsel. At last the court fixed next Tuesday to debate whether both verdicts ought not to be set aside on the objections as to the records having been altered, and that the informations were not filed by the proper officer, but by the Solicitor General; so it is possible that Mr. Wilkes will be discharged, or receive judgment on Tuesday next. Last night there were great illuminations and rejoicings at the King's-Bench prison, on account of Mr. Wilkes's having obtained the reversal of his outlawry. Yesterday afternoon Mr. Wilkes's counsel and solicitor attended him at the King's Bench prison, and settled the further proceedings against Lord Halifax, which were suspended by the outlawry. The Right Hon. the Lord Mansfield made a very long and elaborate speech yesterday on the subject of Mr. Wilkes's outlawry, and in justification of his own conduct, which has been the cause of much popular abuse being thrown out against his Lordship.