our royal purposes in this behalf, we have thought fit hereby to declare, that from henceforth no representation be admitted on the stage, by virtue or under colour of these our letters patent, whereby the christian religion in general, or the church of England, may in any manner suffer reproach, strictly inhibiting every degree of abuse or misrepresentation of sacred characters tending to expose religion itself, and to bring it into contempt; and that no such character be otherwise introduced, or placed in any other light, than such as may enhance the just esteem of those who truly answer the end of their sacred function. We further en join the strictest regard to such representations as any way concern civil policy, or the constitution of our government, that these may contribute to the support of our sacred authority, and the preservation of order and government. And it being our royal will and pleasure, that for the future our Theatre may be instrumental to the promotion of virtue and instruction to human life, we do hereby command and enjoin, that no new play, or any old or revised play, be acted under the authority hereby granted, containing any passages or expressions offensive to piety and good manners, until the same be corrected and purged by the said governor from all such offensive and scandalous passages and expressions. Provided always, nevertheless, that if the said Samuel Foote do, or shall sell, assign, transfer, or alienate in any manner, to any person or persons whatsoever, our letters patent granted to the said Samuel Foote, that then these presents are, and shall be to all intents and purposes, from the day of such sale, assignment, transfer, or alienation, altogether void and of none effect, any thing herein-before contained to the contrary thereof in anywisenotwithstanding. And these our letters patent, or the enrolment or exemplification thereof, shall be in and by all things good, firm, valid, sufficient, and effectual in the law, according to the true intent or meaning thereof, any thing in these presents contained to the contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding, or any other omission, imperfection, defect, matter, cause, or thing whatsoever to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent. Witness ourself at Westminster, the fifth day of July, in the sixth year of our reign. By Writ of Privy Seal, COCKS. AN ACCOUNT OF THE TRIAL OF Samuel Goodere, Esq. & Matthew Mahony, On the 25th of March, 1741, For the Murder of Sir JOHN DINELEY GOODere, THE first witness called was Mr. Jarrit "I live on College-green. The Sunday See the early part of the first Volume, where the and earnestly entreated me to admit him, the prisoner, into the company of his brother, the deceased, under pretence (as the prisoner said) of accommodating their differences in an amicable manner. He was at the Collegegreen Coffee-house. I went to him was so pleased with the proposal of the prisoner, and the hopes of their accommodation, that without the least hesitation I immediately introduced the prisoner into the company of his brother, the deceased; and in such a manner did the prisoner behave, that, seemingly, the deceased and he were as good friends as ever. After dinner I withdrew, and left them by themselves for the space of an hour, till I was called in; and after we had smoked a pipe together, Mr. Goodere took his leave of Sir John in the most friendly and affectionate manner possible. I believe it might be near six o'clock in the evening." The testimony of the next two principal witnesses will be sufficient to exhibit the leading features of this singular transaction. |