LIBEL
The Rev. James Long was indicted for the publication of various libels in a pamphlet known as the Nil Durpan.
Mr. Peterson and Mr. Cowie prosecuted. Mr. Eglinton and Mr. Newmarch appeared for the defendant.
On the special jury being sworn, an objection was raised by Mr. Eglinton, on the ground that only seventeen out of twenty-four special jurymen had been summoned. Under his Lordship's direction the summoning officer was examined, and deposed that the absent jurymen were away from Calcutta, in England and elsewhere.
On the Jury being sworn, Mr. R. L. Eglinton, one of the Jury, was challenged by the Counsel for the prosecution, but ultimately objection was withdrawn, and the jury stood as follows:—
| S. Apcar, Esq., Foreman. | |
| R. L. Eglinton, Esq. | J. Mott, Esq. |
| A. G. Avdall, | E. Palmer, Esq. |
| W. S. Atkinson, Esq. | Manickjee Rustomjee, Esq. |
| W. B. Bailey, Esq. | J. W. Robert, Esq. |
| A. Boyle, | J. Stevenson, Esq. |
| R. Blechynden, Esq. | C Weskins, Esq. |
| E. Creighton, Esq. | L. A. D'Souza, Esq. |
Mr. Peterson said it was unnecessary for him to tell them that the case was one of great importance, not alone to the particular individual whom he represented, but as affecting the whole Christian community at large. It would be as idle as unnecessary for him to attempt to blind them (the Jury) as to the real prosecutor in this case. His client was Mr. Walter Brett, the Editor and Managing Proprietor of the Englishman Press, and the prosecution had been instituted at the desire and with the entire concurrence of the Landholders' Association of British India and the general body of Indigo Planters. He made these preliminary remaks in order to clear up all doubt which might otherwise exist as to who was responsible for the present prosecution. This admission would save his learned friends on the other side some trouble in enquiring into the motive for instituting these proceedings. With these remarks, he would proceed to comment upon the case generally. Sorry was he to stand in his present position
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