The Virginia Gazette

From the excessive Damages given in Mr. Otis's Case (says the same Correspondent) at Boston (two Thousand Pounds Sterling being scarcely ever granted before for a mere Assault) the Impatience of the Bostonians may be easily discovered under the just Supremacy of the Mother Country.

Mr. Robinson was a Commissioner of the Customs at Boston, and distinguished himself remarkably by his spirited Endeavours to enforce the commercial Laws of England. This Conduct, though highly meritorious on our Side of the Atlantick, made him generally obnoxious to the Babes of Grace in New England; in Consequence of which Mr. Otis, it has been asserted, publickly insulted him, and Mr. Robinson chastised the Insolence as publickly, in the Coffeehouse.

To qualify the Disgrace of their Leader, under such a Castigation, the Saints gave out that Mr. Robinson was assisted by others in belabouring poor Otis. The contrary, however, was the Fact, as appears by the Publications of the Period. Mr. Robinson only struck Mr. Otis; but several, in the Course of the Scuffle, struck Mr. Robinson.

It is generally imagined, that, upon a Hearing of the Matter before an impartial Judicature, the mere Circumstance of Excess in the Damages will be a sufficient Ground to annul the whole Proceedings. The Inadequacy of the Offence to the Fine proclaims how much Prejudice operated in the Verdict; and the Moderation of the Plaintiff may be easily determined, who appeals to this Kingdom for another Thousand Pounds.