A Supplement to the London Journal of March 25, 1721; being the state of the case relating to the surrender of Mr. Knight, farther considered.

Notes

First edition. The anonymous pamphlet, continuing an article contributed in the London Journal, argues that Robert Knight - the cashier of the South Sea Company, who had fled to Europe to avoid the wrath of the British parliament and was now incarcerated in Antwerp - had no right of asylum in the Brabant states, either morally, or under local law. The British public were baying for blood after the collapse of the South Sea Bubble and were demanding Knight's return, but many individuals in the government did not want their role in the Company brought to light by Knight. "There then followed an elaborate charade in which the British ministry called publicly for Knight's extradition, while privately intimating to the Austrian authorities that the last thing they wanted was Knight's return together with his incriminating evidence. The Austrians duly obliged, taking refuge behind the privileges of the states of Brabant, and eventually Knight escaped to France, without being hindered by the complaisant governments" (ODNB). The pamphlet, in rejecting the basis in Brabant law for Knight to have asylum without considering the government was using this as an excuse, shows that the ministry's duplicity was working.