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Introduction
Introduction
Speech For The Liberty Of Unlicensed Printing To The Parliament Of England
This is true Liberty when free born men
Having to advise the public may speak free,
Which he who can, and will, deserv`s high praise,
Who neither can nor will, may hold his peace;
What can be juster in a State than this?
Euripid. Hicetid.
Introductory Note
The name of Milton`s speech on the freedom of the press was imitated from
that of the "Logos Areopagiticos" of the Athenian orator Isocrates
(B.C.436-338), which was also a speech meant to be read, not heard. The
oration of Isocrates aimed at re-establishing the old democracy of Athens by
restoring the Court of the Areopagus, whence the work derived its title.
During the ascendency of Laud in the Church of England, his instrument,
the Court of the Star-Chamber, had reenacted, more oppressively than ever,
some of the restrictions imposed during the reign of Elizabeth on the printing
of books. These restrictions disappeared with the abolition of the
Star-Chamber in 1641, but very soon the Presbyterian majority in the Long
Parliament began to pass orders framed with a view to enable them to suppress
publications voicing the political and religious views of their opponents.
Finally the Order of June, 1643, reproduced here, roused Milton to protest,
and he issued his famous plea for unlicensed printing in the following year.
As will be seen from the speech itself, he did his best to conciliate the
Parliament by making cordial acknowledgment of its services to the cause of
liberty, and he sought to persuade them to reverse their action by pointing
out its inconsistency with these services. But it does not appear that it
produced any immediate effect. While the Independents under Cromwell had the
upper hand, the licensing laws were, indeed, very slackly enforced; but with
the Restoration came the reenactment of most of the provisions of the
Star-Chamber Decree. After being renewed several times for terms of years,
they finally were allowed to lapse in 1694, and later attempts to renew them
were unsuccessful.
But the importance of Milton`s pamphlet is not to be measured by its
effect on the political situation which was its immediate occasion. In his
enthusiasm for liberty, the master passion of his life, he rose far above the
politics of the hour; and the "Areopagitica" holds its supremacy among his
prose writings by virtue of its appeal to fundamental principles, and its
triumphant assertion of the faith that all that truth needs to assure its
victory over error is a fair field and no favor.
Order Of The Long Parliament For The Regulating Of Printing, 14 June, 1643
Being The Occasion Of Milton`s Areopagitica
Whereas divers good Orders have bin lately made by both Houses of
Parliament, for suppressing the great late abuses and frequent disorders in
Printing many, false forged, scandalous, seditious, libellous, and unlicensed
Papers, Pamphlets, and Books to the great defamation of Religion and
government. Which orders (notwithstanding the diligence of the Company of
Stationers, to put them in full execution) have taken little or no effect: By
reason the bill in preparation, for redresse of the said disorders, hath
hitherto bin retarded through the present distractions, and very many, aswell
Stationers and Printers, as others of sundry other professions not free of the
Stationers Company, have taken upon them to set up sundry private Printing
Presses in corners, and to print, vend, publish and disperse Books, pamphlets
and papers, in such multitudes, that no industry could be sufficient to
discover or bring to punishment, all the severall abounding delinquents; And
by reason that divers of the Stationers Company and others being Delinquents
(contrary to former orders and the constant custome used among the said
Company) have taken liberty to Print, Vend, and publish, the most profitable
vendible Copies of Books, belonging to the Company and other Stationers,
especially of such Agents as are imployed in putting the said Orders in
Execution, and that by way of revenge for giveing information against them to
the Houses for their Delinquences in Printing, to the great prejudice of the
said Company of Stationers and Agents, and to their discouragement in this
publik service.
It is therefore Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That no
Order or Declaration of both, or either House of Parliament shall be printed
by anyi but by order of one or both the said Houses: Nor other Book, Pamphlet,
paper, nor part of any such Book, Pamphlet, or paper, shall from henceforth be
printed, bound, stitched or put to sale by any person or persons whatsoever,
unlesse the same be first approved of and licensed under the hands of such
person or persons as both, or either of the said Houses shall appoint for the
licensing of the same, and entred in the Register Book of the Company of
Stationers, according to Ancient custom, and the Printer thereof to put his
name thereto. And that no person or persons shall hereafter print, or cause to
be reprinted any Book or Books, or part of Book, or Books heretofore allowed
of and granted to the said Company of Stationers for their relief and
maintenance of their poore, without the licence or consent of the Master,
Wardens and Assistants of the said Company; Nor any Book or Books lawfully
licenced and entred in the Register of the said Company for any particular
member thereof, without the licence and consent of the owner or owners
thereof. Nor yet import any such Book or Books, or part of Book or Books
formerly Printed here, from beyond the Seas, upon paine of forfeiting the same
to the Owner, or Owners of the Copies of the said Books, and such further
punishment as shall be thought fit.
And the Master and Wardens of the said Company, the Gentleman Usher of
the House of Peers, the Sergeant of the Commons House and their deputies,
together with the persons formerly appointed by the Committee of the House of
Commons for Examinations, are hereby Authorized and required, from the time to
time, to make diligent search in all places, where they shall think meete, for
all unlicensed Printing Presses, and all Presses any way imployed in the
printing of scandalous or unlicensed Papers, Pamphlets, Books, or any Copies
of Books belonging to the said Company, or any member thereof, without their
approbation and consents, and to seize and carry away such Printing Presses
Letters, together with the Nut, Spindle, and other materialls of every such
irregular Printer, which they find so misimployed, unto the Common Hall of the
said Company, there to be defaced and made unserviceable according to Ancient
Custom; And likewise to make diligent search in all suspected Printing-houses,
Ware-houses, Shops and other places for such scandalous and unlicensed Books,
papers, Pamphlets, and all other Books, not entered, nor signed with the
Printers name as aforesaid, being printed, or reprinted by such as have no
lawfull interest in them, or any way contrary to this Order, and the same to
seize and carry away to the said common hall, there to remain till both or
either House of Parliament shall dispose thereof, And likewise to apprehend
all Authors, Printers, and other persons whatsoever imployed in compiling,
printing, stitching, binding, publishing and dispersing of the said
scandalous, unlicensed, and unwarrantable papers, books and pamphlets as
aforesaid, and all those who shall resist thecsaid Parties in searching after
them, and to bring them afore either of the Houses or the Committee of
Examinations, that so they may receive such further punishments, as their
Offences shall demerit, and not to be released untill they have given
satisfaction to the Parties imployed in their apprehension for their paines
and charges, and given sufficient caution not to offend in like sort for the
future. And all Justices of the Peace, Captaines, Constables and other
officers, are hereby ordered and required to be aiding, to the foresaid
persons in the due execution of all, and singular and assisting the premisses
and in the apprehension of all Offenders against the same. And in case of
opposition to break open the Doores and Locks.
And it further ordered, that this Order be forthwith Printed and
Published, to the end that notice may be taken thereof, and all Contemners of
it left inexcusable.
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