The whole case for the prosecution had therefore completely broken down; and the audience, with great glee, expected a speedy acquittal.
The crown lawyers then changed their ground again, abandoned altogether the charge of writing a libel, and undertook to prove that the Bishops had published a libel in the county of Middlesex.

The difficulties were great.

The delivery of the petition to the King was undoubtedly, in the eye of the law, a publication.

But how was this delivery to be proved?
No person had been present at the audience in the royal closet, except the King and the defendants.

The King could not well be sworn.