Cirrus@Austlit

The Freeman's Journal says 'we have nothing much to communicate to our friends respecting the lawsuit against the proprietors of this journal. Our case is in the hands of our solicitor ... From the action taken by our subscribers ... it must be evident that the Attorney General has undertaken a task which he will never succeed in achieving... he must already begin to regret that he has begun the dirty work of crushing a journal because it was opposed to his political conduct'.

A correspondent from Brisbane writes that 'devoted friends of the Freeman are about to adopt some measures that will show the Attorney-General of New South Wales, that they feel the blow which has been in such a shameful manner levelled at the patriotic and Catholic Freeman. I trust that the Catholics of Australia will rally round their fearless and talented champion in this, the hour of its greatest difficulty, and show to the enlightened portion of mankind that they are able and willing to confront those who would endeavour by the combined agency of Hell itself, to trample under foot those cherished principles which have been handed down to us from the time when the lonely fisherman of Galilee promulgated them from the silent depths of the dreary catacombs.'

The writer goes on to suggest that 'there should be in every town throughout Australia a "defence association" formed, for the purpose of assisting the patriotic proprietors of the Freeman in their endeavour to oppose the claims of intolerance and despotism.'

A detailed report of a meeting held at Araluen on 12 August 1868 in support of the Freeman's Journal. The meeting passed the resolution: 'That it is the unanimous opinion of this meeting the prosecution of the Freeman's Journal by Mr. Martin is the action of a bitter adversary and not of an impartial minister minister of justice.'

The Freeman's Journal responds to an article published in the Sydney Morning Herald on 14 August 1868. Freeman's contends that the Herald's item is typical of ‘the way in which the evangelical print assails the Freeman.’

Freeman's concludes that the Herald is 'destitute of principle, it panders to the prejudice and bigotry which exist among us unfortunately, and knows no guide but the fickle blast of popular favour. It will continue to malign and calumniate the Freeman without regard to truth or decency, but we are satisfied to let our intentions and our expressions be judged by the good sense and fair play of the entire body of colonists.'

A report on a meeting in Newcastle 'convened for the purpose of raising funds to assist the Proprietors of the Freeman's Journal, in defending the action instituted by the Hon. the Attorney-General against that Journal'.

A collection was instigated by Mr. Charles Mulhern who said 'that as an humble, hard-working Irishman, he handed in seven shillings – a day's wages, and he trusted every Irishman would act similarly.' By the end of the night 'the cash on the table amounted to £12'.

Ambrose Kelly and William Keating write on behalf of the subscribers of Seven Mile, Grenfell, to a fund supporting the cause of the Freeman's Journal in the case being prosecuted by the Premier and Attorney General James Martin.

The subscribers declare that 'even with our last sixpence we will show the tyrant Premier that Irishmen will not be trampled on with impunity; and without venture we here predict ... that when the administration of Martin and Co. will be handed down to posterity with scorn, the spirit that now animates the Freeman's Journal will be held sacred in the heart of every Catholic in New South Wales, and in the honor and esteem of all justice-loving men.'

A report stating that 'a dramatic company, under the management of Mr. Hoskins, who recently leased the [Royal] Victoria Theatre, are now playing on the boards of the Prince.' The season commenced with productions of Thomas William Robertson's Caste and Thomas Morton's A Roland for an Oliver.

A column listing the names of Grenfell and district residents supporting the Freeman's Journal Defence Fund together with the amounts pledged.

A column listing the names of Bathurst and district residents supporting the Freeman's Journal Defence Fund together with the amounts pledged.

An advertisement advising that the proprietors of the Freeman's Journal have entered into a 'job printing business' and 'are now prepared to execute orders'.

A list of suburban, country and inter-colonial agents for the Freeman's Journal.

An advertisement advising that Freeman's Journal 'is filed and may be seen, free of charge, at Holloway's, 533, Oxford-street, W. C., (late of 224, Strand) London, where advertisements and subscriptions may be received'.

An advertisement, for Greville and Company, for the sale of various types of paper, pens, pencils, slates, ledgers and other stationery items.

An advertisement advising that Greville and Company are the 'authorised Sydney agents of all the leading provincial journals of New South Wales' and are able 'to offer terms for the insertion of advertisements which can be done by none but a recognised agent'.

An advertisement for Greville and Company, agents for Messers Harrild and Sons, London, advertising the sale of various items of printing machinery and equipment.