4

But Sir Edward Coke's stern integrity nobly
challenges our admiration and more demands our
gratitude, when he perilled life and honour by
refusing to lay the ermine of justice , at the feet
of the monarch, and by persisting in disobedience
to the mandate of the sovereign, established
the great principle that judges right to be
independent of the crown.

So should Mansfield deserve ever
to be revered for the bold sentiments with which
he uttered, whilst repelling, on the trial of
Wilkes outlawry, the idea of extraneous influence
arising from threats of popular vengence
cannot forbear to quote a few sentences, at
length - "-it is sd the people expect the( ),
that the temper of the times demands it, that the
multitude will have it so; These arguments
weigh not a feather with me. If insurrection,
and rebellion are to follow our determination,
we have not to answer for the consequences, tho'
we shd be the innocent cause - we can only say
'( ) justitia resat calum'; We shall discharge our duty
without expectations of approbation, or the apprehensions of
censure; if we are subjected to the latter unjustly, we must submit
to it; we cannot prevent it, we will takecare not to deserve
it. He must be a weak man indeed, who can be staggered
by such a consideration. I do not affect to scorn the opinion of
mankind; I wish earnestly for popularity, I will seek , & will have
popularity; but I will tell you how I will obtain it; I will have
that popularity which follows, & not that which is run after.