with or
without enquiry or hearing, _at the court's discretion._
_In whose favor or for whose emolument this court is
established._
In favor of about one citizen in 500, who by education, or
practice in scribbling, has acquired a tolerable stile as to grammar
and construction so as to bear printing; or who is possessed of a
press and a few types. This 500th part of the citizens have the
privilege of accusing and abusing the other 499 parts, at their
pleasure; or they may hire out their pens and press to others for
that purpose.
_Practice of the Court._
It is not governed by any of the rules of common courts of law.
The accused is allowed no grand jury to judge of the truth of the
accusation before it is publicly made; nor is the name of the accuser
made known to him; nor has he an opportunity of confronting the
witnesses against him; for they are kept in the dark, as in the
Spanish Court of Inquisition. -- Nor is there any petty jury of his
peers sworn to try the truth of the charges. The proceedings are
also sometimes so rapid, that an honest good citizen may find himself
suddenly and unexpectedly accused, and in the same morning judged and
condemned, and sentence pronounced against him, That he is a _rogue_
and a _villain.
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