To read or hear this paper is sufficient for a full conviction of its pernicious tendency, and of the malice of its author; a charge not fixed upon particular expressions capable of a doubtful meaning, and which heat or inadvertency might casually have produced, but supported by the general design of the whole paper, and the continued tenour of the argument, which is evidently intended to show, that an act of government, which cannot but appear necessary and seasonable in the present state of our affairs, an act ratified by the concurrence of all the powers of the legislature, is nothing but a scheme of avarice to grow rich by oppression.

Nor is this scandalous libel written with more confidence and insolence than it is dispersed.  Not content, sir, with vilifying the proceedings of the state, the author has industriously published his calumny at our door:  the time has been when defamation skulked in secret, and calumnies against the government were dispersed by whispers or private communication; but this writer adds insults to his injuries, and at once reproaches and defies us.

I beg leave to move, therefore, that the house do censure this paper as “a malicious and scandalous libel, highly and injuriously reflecting upon a just and wise act of his majesty’s government, and also upon the proceedings of both houses of senate; and tending to create jealousies in the minds of the people.”  I also move, “that the author may be ordered to attend, to be examined at our bar.”

[This was unanimously agreed to by the house.  The doorkeeper was called in, and, being shown the paper, was asked from whom he received it? who answered, that he believed the person who delivered it to him, was then detained in one of the committee rooms, upon which he was ordered to look for, and fetch him to the bar.]

Mr. Sandys, taking notice that the person was already in custody, said, that he should be glad to know by what authority.  It was not reasonable to punish first, and judge afterwards.

Upon which sir William Yonge replied, that he had caused him to be detained, in order to know the pleasure of the house; and that he thought it his duty to secure so enormous an offender from escaping.

Soon after, the doorkeeper brought the man in, when he declared, upon examination, his name and his profession, which was that of a scrivener, and owned with great openness, that he was the author of the paper.  He was then asked who was the printer, and answered that he printed it himself.  Which he explained afterwards, by saying, that as he had carried it to the printer’s, he might be said, in the general acceptation of the term, as applied to an author, to be the printer.  He then discovered the printer, and was asked, where was the original manuscript, which he said he had destroyed, as he did any other useless paper.

It having been observed by some of the members, that it was printed in one of the daily papers, he was asked, who carried it thither? and answered, that he carried it himself.  It was then demanded, what he gave for having it inserted, and he answered that he gave nothing.