The other Considerations in the Address, may be because tlie Prosecution was against the Priviledges of the House appears by Act of Parliament, and contrary to a Law of the Colon)^, wliich saith, That in all Cases Capital and Criminal, there shall be a grand Inquest, who shall first present the Offence, aitd then Twelve good Men of the Neighbourhood, to try the Offendor, who after his Plea to the Indictment, shall be allowed his reasonable Challenges.
Of what Benefit or Good can it be to the Colony, to have such an Assembly to represent them, when the Members of the House shall not have Freedom of Speech, and let the People they represent know what they are doing for them; but shall be prosecuted from Court to Court in the King's Name, and every Member of the House deterred to speak of any Aggrievances of and Priviledges for the People; but let things pass at Pleasure, lest tliey be molested as I am, and shall not have Relief, when by the best Authority of the Country his Excellency was addressed to free and discharge me, he refused to do it, except I would acknowledge, Tliat I had set out a false Libel, and make him Satisfaction : Which I could never do, knowing that all which I set forth in that Speech wjas true ; and I can prove it to be true, except what I related by Information, and that I believe
382 PAPERS RELATING TO SUFFOLK COUNTY.