essive
numbers of the _Freeman_, and must be presumed to have been a source of
great annoyance to the gentleman to whom they were directed. Though many
of the statements therein were perverse and wilful distortions of facts,
there was a large element of truth, and it would not have been easy to
expose the falsehood without admitting much that could not be denied.
The Attorney-General contemplated another prosecution, but thought
better of it--not, it is to be presumed, from any want of
vindictiveness, but because he felt that there was a limit to the public
endurance, and that that limit had pretty nearly been reached.

[Sidenote: 1829.]

In January, 1829, the Collins case was taken into consideration by the
Assembly. A Committee was appointed, and a rigid inquiry instituted into
some of the most interesting features. Attorney-General Robinson was
examined at considerable length. Judges Sherwood and Hagerman were
summoned before the Committee, but both of them declined to answer any
questions. A good many important facts were elicited, upon the strength
of which an Address to his Excellency was passed, recapitulating the
circumstances, and praying for a remission of the sentence. The reply
was of the same inexorable character as that previously made to
Collins's own petition. "It is my anxious wish," was the response of the
Lieutenant-Governor, "to render service to the Province, by concurring
with the Legislature in everything that can promote its peace,
prosperity and happiness; and I regret exceedingly that the House of
Assembly should have made an application to me which the obligation I am
under to support the laws, and my duty to society, forbid me, I think,
to comply with." For the information of the House, his Excellency
forwarded a copy of a letter addressed by Justice Sherwood to the
Governor's Secretary, embodying certain reasons for the judgment of the
Court in the case. The Judge, it will be remembered, refused to assign
any such reasons when questioned on the subject by the Committee of the
House of Assembly. As to his right to so refuse there can hardly be much
difference of opinion, but he would have been more consistent if he had
also refused when applied to by the Lieutenant-Governor. After admitting
the right to publish fair and candid opinions on the Government and
constitution, the Judge declared that if a publisher "steps aside from
the high road of decency and peaceable deportment, and adopts a c