The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

ALBANY, August 17.

On Tuesday last, writs of enquiry of damages were executed in the causes of Ambrose Spencer against Matthias Ward and Stephen Gould, and likewise in the causes of Thomas Tillotson, against the same persons. In the two former the damages were assessed at five hundred dollars in each suit, and in the two latter at three hundred dollars in each.

The defendants in these causes were prosecuted as the publishers of the celebrated pamphlet of Aristides, for the most gross and detestable libels which ever disgraced the American press.

The writer has hitherto concealed himself, and whether by the issue of these suits he will be drawn from behind the curtain, is problematical. We presume the publishers are indemnified, as we understand, that previous to the commencement of the prosecutions, the name of the author was demanded and refused.

The defendants having suffered judgment by default, is conclusive evidence that they could not support their infamous slanders by the least shadow of proof.

The Jury who tried the damages are entitled to credit for having evinced an honest detestation of injuries which if suffered with impunity, would speedily tear up the foundations of civilized life; and produce a state of anarchy the most wild and barbarous. May their example be imitated by all who may hereafter be called upon to judge in similar cases, without regard to party distinctions; and may it shortly become the common sentiment of our countrymen, that to preserve the freedom of the press unimpaired, its licentiousness must be restrained by the energy of constitutional law.