how is it
me to make
is it possible for me to approach the Chief Justice, or for him to
ascertain whether an apology is becoming, or
which confesses want of caution,
reaffirms the truth of the alleged
but
Calumny?
The arbitration which His Excellency suggests may solve the whole difficulty, if it have power to deal with the whole case;
not otherwise. It is a question of fact. Are my statements true?
The reaffirmation of their truth is no apology for my
"incaution" can be urged. The "ample and public apology" required by the Chief Justice in the letter
quoted by His Excellency will scarcely suffice. I am in that case open to all reprobation and punishment. Still, if an arbitration be resolved on, and the Chief Justice concurs, I do not dissent. I shall even be contented to leave the choice of arbitrators entirely to His Excellency; on condition, as I said before, that they have power to deal with the whole subject. Of course
no enquiry can be satisfactory, whether by referees or by the Council which does not proceed upon an unrestricted course of examination, as I have represented it is. I shall in the case
of...