"He takes my life who takes the means whereby I live."

BOSTON:

PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM S. SPEar, no. 4, speaR'S BUILDINGS,

hs 1356852

DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS TO WIT :
District Clerk's Office.

BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the thirtieth day of December, 4.D. 1822, in the forty seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America, William S. Spear of the said District, has deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit:

A correct Statement and Review of the Trial of Joseph T. Buckingham, for an alledged Libel on the Rev. John N. Maffit, tried before the Hon. Josiah Quincy, Judge of the Municipal Court, Dec. 16, 1822. "He takes my life who takes the means whereby Í live.”

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An act for the encouragement, by securing the copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned; and also to an act entitled, "An act supplementary to an act, entitled, An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and books to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical, and other prints.

JOHN W. DAVIS,

Clerk of the District of Massachusetts.

"I will nought extenuate, or set down aught in malice."

TO investigate truth, and expose falsehood, to paint the charms of one, and the deformity of the other, make each man pleased with his situation, and rejoice at the happiness of his friend, will ever be truly meritorious, and receive univer· sal applause. Truth is often perverted in our highest tribunals, as well as by the way; and even witnesses, who ought to be as immaculate as the lot of humanity will admit, are often clothed with infamy. Thousands have lost their lives, characters and property, as Naboth was deprived of his vine. yard by false witnesses. Some men, when they can discover a spot in a person's character, will spread it like a Leprosy over his whole body.

"To err is human-to forgive, divine."

The God of Nature does most truly scan,
The motives, not the actions of a man,

The above observations have resulted from the strong excitement which has taken place in this city, from the late trial, the COMMONWEALTH VS. JOSEPH T. BUCKINGHAM-a trial, we hould say, of secondary consequence-a trial, which should not have operated against any one, has been made the trumpet to sound the alarm-endeavoring to consign Mr. MAFFIT "to the tomb of the Capulets." Many of the assertions which have been made ought to have been buried in the of grave oblivion, and been blotted from the records of the county. No blame can attach to Mr. BUCKINGHAM for making his defence-it was a duty he owed to his wife and children, neither does Mr. MAFFIT say ought against him; and he writer of this, rejoices he was acquitted. Thus much must be said in favor of Mr. MAFFIT-that he had no agency in the compaint—

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it was done by some zealous partizan, who might have wished to aid him, or i jure Mr. BUCKINGHAM. It is very astonishing, that a man losing his cause, should be hunted down like a wild beast of the forest.

Mr. MAFFIT came to this country with a fair, uncontaminated reputation, in the year 1819 He came to a quarter of the Globe which has ever been the assylum of the wretched, persecuted, and distressed. Mr. M.FFIT has been in holy orders for more than three years, and visited the first cities, villages & hamlets in the United States, where he has been considered an eloquent advocate of good morals and religion-he has long resided in this city, which ever has been distinguished for correct principles, diffusive liberality, and the most generous feelings of the soul. Will this city, thus renowned, give a man up to be buffeted, and endure the "pelting of the pitiless storm,' without aid or protection? It cannot, will not, must not be !

It is true he is an Irishman-a nation that can boast of as many great men, as any part of Europe. They can enroll a CASTLEREAGH, a WELLINGTON, a GRATTAN, a CURKAN, and many other Statesmen and Orators, in their temple of fame. Should he not, as a foreigner, be received with cordiality and respect? Let any one answer who is without fault, and "let him throw the first stone". who has a right to judge of the principles and motives of Mr. MAFFIT." Our Saviour says, "Judge not, lest you be judged"-" God knoweth the heart." Should it be asked to the opposers of Mr. MAFFIT if their breasts had a window, if some spots and blemishes might not be discovered? "Who liveth and sinneth not."..

We have received with distinction many of the bloody adherents of the merciless Bonaparte, and yet wish to destroy the man who preaches the doctrine of the Prince of Peace.

There is not a more deleterious a vice in society than slander. It destroys social intercourse, injures domestic happiness, and too frequently produces the foulést crimes," Cal umny the fairest character strikes." Whoever attended this trial must have been pleased with the manly, and unadorned manner in which Mr. MAFFIT gave 66 a plain, unvarnished tale of his whole course." There was no hesitation, no equivocation in his testimony-it carried conviction to the mind-truth, and justice was discoverable in every line; and the friends of Mr. BUCKINGHAM must have trembled for the result. The scene was suddenly changed, and the colouring altered by the testimony of ALEXANDER JONES, Jr. The question will naturally arise-who is this Mr. JONES' He is from Providence, has been in holy orders as an Episcopalian Clergyman about three months. This man was once the bosom, confidential friend of Mr. MAFFIT. Did he come to this city to aid his old friend MAFFIT, or to ruin him? Facts are stubborn, and will speak for themselves. JONES lived in the State of RhodeIsland, beyond the reach of process of the Municipal Courtin a criminal cause JONES' deposition could not have been taken. He must have come, either for gain, or from worse motives; and altho' he may not be now amenable, if he has done wrong, he will be answerable in another and a better world." Some part of JONES' testimony, the writer thinks was irrele. vant to the cause in which he was sworn-such as "Mr. MAFFIT having been a Tailor," his "preaching Mr. Walker's Sermon," were either of them a crime? The celebrated Dean Swift once observed-" That most sermons would be better if the young clergyman borrowed more. In some part of JONES' testimony, he has been grossly mistaken-" that Mr. MAFFIT communicated his disbelief in Christianity." Mr. MAFFIT must have been an idiot to have made such a statement-it would be digging a pit for himself—it would be like a man, prunning a tree, and cutting off the limb on which he stood. His living, and the support of his wife and children,