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Untitled Article
and tbat it is a hope not ill founded in a country whose love of Liberty is its characteristic ; and where every thing generous and in favour of that Liberty is congenial with the warmest feelings of the People . "
A society for such an object could not but excite the suspicion and hatred of the profligate administration of that time , nor could any of its more active members hope to escape ministerial persecution . Mr . Joyce was singled out as a victim by Mr . Pitt , who probably took a vindictive pleasure in
mortifying , if not criminating , Lord Stanhope , to whom he was related , but whom he regarded and treated as an enemy on account of family quarrels . Accordingly , on Wednesday the 14 th of May , two days after the apprehension of Mr . Thomas Hardy , * he was arrested while he was
conversing with Lord Mahon and his two brothers , at Chevening , on the charge of " Treasonable Practices . " His pockets , desk and drawers were searched for papers ; and the same day he was examined before the Privy Council . The Council was very fullyattended ; among many others , there
were the Lord Chancellor , the Duke of Montrose , Lord Hawkesbury , the Earl of Chatham , Lord Aukland , the Marquis of Stafford , Mr . Pitt , Mr . Dundas , and the Attorney and Solicitor-general . The examination lasted about three quarters of an hour ; the following is the account of it , as published by Mr . Joyce himself : +
" Examination of Jeremiah Joyce , before his Majesty ' Most Honourable Privy Council . Mat / 14 , 1794 . " Mr . FawJiener , ( Clerk of the Council ) . What is your name , Sir ? A . Jeremiah Joyce . Q . Where do you live ? A . At Lord Stanhope ' s . Q . What is your profession ?
This intrepid man was Secretary to the Corresponding Society . He was the J » rst whose life was sought on pretence or ¦ "gh treason by Mr . Pitt . An honest jury delivere d him from the fang's of his persecutors
; and he is still living an example ° f enlightened patriotism , unimpeachable v rtue , and the unostentatious profession of ^ hgion . t A ppendix to Sermon , &c . pp . 4 —7 .
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A . I have the care of Lord Stanhope ' s two elder sons . Q . Are you a member of the ' Society for Constitutional Information ?'
A . Before I answer any other questions , I beg lenve to inquire of jour Lordships , whether I may be allowed the assistance of counsel ? Mr . Dundas . Certainly not . Mr . Joyce . I must , then , beg leave to decline answering rhv other
questions . And I assure your Lordships that I do this out of no contempt for your Lordships' authority ^ but standing here an accused person the laws of the country do not , I apprehend , require me to answer any interrogatories . Mr . Dundas * You are not
ac-. Mr , Joyce . I have seen a warrant which does accuse me . Lord Loughborougk . Mr . Fawkener , put the questions , and let Mr . Joyce refuse those he objects to .
Mr . Joyce . My Lord , 1 wish to decline answering all questions whatever , as by answering questions , in my situation , I conceive that I am injuring the constitution of my country . Mr . Dundas . You had better leave the constitution to take care of itself , and consider whether it will not be
wise in you to answer the questions which are put to you . Mr . Pitt . Mr . Joyce must know that every good subject will object to no question , which does not tend to criminate himself . Mr . Joyce . I hope and believe , Sir , that I have acted ever as a good
subject . 1 imagine , my Lords , the reason for which I have been brought here , is , that your Lordships have foiittd my name in those books , ( pointing to the books belonging to the Society for Constitutional Information ) as having been nominated Secretary to a Committee
of Correspondence- In order , therefore , to save your Lordships' time , I beg leave to say , that I have never acted as Secretary * either directly or indirectly . Q . Did you accept the appointment as Secretary ? A . I decline answering that question Q . . How tvas the appointment notified to you ? A . By conversation . I do not re-
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Memoir of the late Rev * Jeremiah Joyce . v > 99
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1817, page 699, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2471/page/3/
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