 R v Baillie , also known as the Greenwich Hospital Case , was a 1778 prosecution of Thomas Baillie for criminal libel . The case initiated the legal career of Thomas Erskine . Baillie , the Lieutenant @-@ Governor of the Greenwich Hospital for Seamen , a facility for injured or pensioned off seamen , had noted irregularities and corruption in the hospital , which was formally run by the Earl of Sandwich . After his official reporting of the problems failed to bring about reform in the hospital , Baillie published a pamphlet that was critical of the hospital 's officers , alleging that Sandwich had given appointments to pay off political debts ; Sandwich ignored the pamphlet but ensured that Baillie was indicted for criminal libel . Baillie hired five barristers , including Erskine , then newly called to the Bar , and appeared before Lord Mansfield in the Court of King 's Bench on 23 November 1778 . 
