A Faithful narrative of the proceedings in a late affair between the Rev. John Swinton, and Mr. George Baker, both of Wadham College, Oxford

About this book

This publication was created by friends of Baker, wishing to redeem his reputation as a libellor and to cast suspicion upon Swinton. From p. 1-2: "The Recantation of Mr. George Baker of Wadham College, Oxford, in respect of the Rev. Mr. Swinton [whom Baker accused of sexually molesting a servant boy] ... having been industriously published ... to the great, and seemingly deserved, Disgrace of the former; his [Baker's] friends, who were under the highest Amazement upon the Appearance of that Publication [the recantation], and no less Concern for a young Gentleman ... thought such a Concession under his Hand a kind of Prodigy worth enquiring into. Accordingly they spared no Pains to sift the Affair to the Bottom ... [T]heir love of Justice, as well as Compassion for him [Baker], whose Ruin they saw aimed at in so cruel a manner ... these Motives induced them to draw up the following faithful Narrative of the whole Affair."