William Cobbett (1763–1835), a noted radical and publisher, began publishing Parliamentary Debates as a supplement to his Political Register in 1802, eventually extending his reach back with the Parliamentary History. Cobbett's avocation for the freedom of the press was severely punished by the British Government. On 5 June 1810 William Cobbett stood trial for seditious libel for an article he wrote against the British Government which was published by Thomas Curson Hansard. Cobbett was found "guilty, upon the fullest and most satisfactory evidence". The court sentence read: "The court do adjudge that you, William Cobbett pay to our Lord the King a fine of £1000; that you be imprisoned in His Majesty's gaol of Newgate for the space of two years, and that at expiration of that time you enter into a recognizance to keep the peace for seven years—yourself in the sum of £3000, and two good and sufficient sureties in the sum of £1,000; and further, that you be imprisoned till that recognizance be entered into, and that fine paid". The sentence was described by J. C. Trewin as "vindictive". The Court argued that Thomas Curson Hansard, who had "seen the copy before it was printed, ought not to have suffered it to have been printed at all" and was sentenced to three months imprisonment in the King's Bench Prison.
William Cobbett (1763–1835) a noted radical and publisher began publishing Parliamentary Debates as a supplement to his Political Register in 1802 eventually extending his reach back with the Parliamentary History Cobbett's avocation for the freedom of the press was severely punished by the British Government On 5 June 1810 William Cobbett stood trial for seditious libel for an article he wrote against the British Government which was published by Thomas Curson Hansard Cobbett was found "guilty upon the fullest and most satisfactory evidence" The court sentence read "The court do adjudge that you William Cobbett pay to our Lord the King a fine of £1000; that you be imprisoned in His Majesty's gaol of Newgate for the space of two years and that at expiration of that time you enter into a recognizance to keep the peace for seven years—yourself in the sum of £3000 and two good and sufficient sureties in the sum of £1000; and further that you be imprisoned till that recognizance be entered into and that fine paid" The sentence was described by J C Trewin as "vindictive" The Court argued that Thomas Curson Hansard who had "seen the copy before it was printed ought not to have suffered it to have been printed at all" and was sentenced to three months imprisonment in the King's Bench Prison