The Security of Englishmen's Lives, Or, The Trust, Power and Duty of Grand Juries of England |
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The Security of Englishmen's Lives, Or, the Trust, Power and Duty of Grand ... Baron John Somers Somers No preview available - 2016 |
The Security of Englishmen's Lives, Or the Trust, Power and Duty of the ... John Somers No preview available - 2018 |
Common terms and phrases
accused person ancient answer appear Attorney-general bill of indictment Bootle Wilbraham brought cause charge circumstances commands committed common concerning consciences conspiracy crimes criminals crown danger discover doth duty England Epigenes estates evidence examination fact false accusations felony gaoler grand inquest grand jury guilty hath honour impartial imprisonment innocent inquire intended John Hargreaves judges judgment jurors king king's counsel kingdom knowledge Lancaster castle law requires libel liberties lives Lord Cochrane Lord Somers magistrates malicious man's manner matter ment mischiefs murder oath obliged offences Oyer and Terminer pardon parliament party accused peace perjuries petit jury present prisoner proceedings prosecution proved punishment Quarter Sessions question reason sheriffs shew Sir Francis Sir Francis Burdett Sir William Blackstone statutes subornation suffer sworn testimony thereupon things tice tion treason trial trust unto verdict whereof whole truth witnesses words writs wrong
Popular passages
Page xliv - Thou hast most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm in erecting a grammar school : and whereas, before, our forefathers had no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used, and, contrary to the king, his crown and dignity, thou hast built a paper-mill.
Page x - So that the liberties of England cannot but subsist so long as this palladium remains sacred and inviolate, not only from all open attacks, which none will be so hardy as to make, but also from all secret machinations which may sap and undermine it...
Page lxv - ... Somers was Master of these two Qualifications in so eminent a Degree, that all the Parts of Knowledge appeared in him with such an additional Strength and Beauty, as they want in the Possession of others. If he delivered his Opinion of a Piece of Poetry, a Statue, or a Picture, there was something so just and delicate in his Observations, as naturally produced Pleasure and Assent in those who heard him.
Page x - And however convenient these may appear at first, (as doubtless all arbitrary powers, well executed, are the most convenient) yet let it be again remembered, that delays, and little inconveniences in the forms of justice, are the price that all free nations must pay for their liberty in more substantial matters...
Page xxxiv - The objects of the king's own prosecutions, filed ex officio by his own attorneygeneral, are properly such enormous misdemeanors as peculiarly tend to disturb or endanger his government, or to molest or affront him in the regular discharge of his royal functions. For offences so high and dangerous, in the punishment or prevention of which a moment's delay would be fatal, the law has given to the crown the power of an immediate prosecution, without waiting for any previous application to any other...
Page lxv - His style in writing was chaste and pure, but at the same time full of spirit and politeness; and fit to convey the most intricate business to the understanding of the reader, with the utmost clearness and perspicuity. And here it is to be lamented, that this extraordinary person, out of his natural aversion to vain-glory, wrote several pieces as well as performed several actions, which he did not assume the honour of...
Page iv - That no person who has an office or place of profit under the King, or receives a pension from the crown, shall be capable of serving as a member of the house of commons.
Page xxxiv - For offences so high and dangerous, in the punishment or prevention of which a moment's delay would be fatal, the law has given to the crown the power of an immediate prosecution, without waiting for any previous application to any other tribunal ; which power, thus necessary not only to the ease and safety but even to the very existence of the executive magistrate, was originally reserved in the great plan of the English constitution, wherein provision is wisely made for the due preservation of...
Page 10 - Third, it is accorded, assented and established, that none shall be taken by petition or suggestion made to the King or to his Council, unless it be by indictment or presentment of good and lawful people of the same neighbourhood where such deeds be done...
Page lxiii - His life was, in every part of it, set off with that graceful modesty and reserve, which made his virtues more beautiful, the more they were cast in such agreeable shades. His religion...