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Show 586 LIFE m· GEN. JACKSON. , CHAP. the general's answer, supported by an affidavit, goin.: XI. to show, that the rule should be discharged, and no ·~further proceedings had against him. A curious course 1815. of judicial proceed "m g was now W·It ne ssed . A cause was to be shown, and yet the judge would determine, whether it were exceptionable or not, previously to being heard or seen. The counsel urged i~ vail~, the propriety of his first-hearing, before he dec1ded 1f the answer were consonant with propriety. This was overruled. He would first determine what it should be. If within any of the rules laid down, it should be heard, -not else. " If," said he, "the party object to the jurisdiction, he shall be heard. " If it be a denial of facts ; or that the: facts charged do not amount to a contempt, he shall be heard. "If it be an apology to the court; or show, that ~y the constitution and laws of the United States, or m virtue of his military commission, he had a right to act as charged, the court will hear him." Hear ! and you can then decide if it come under any of these general rules, was replied and argued at length by his counsel, as beirg the correct and proper course. After much time spent in debate, Major Reid was at length permitted to proceed. H~ ~d _go~ten through the exceptions reserved as to the JUnschctwn, a~d was proceediJ1g with the respondent's reasons, sho~mg the necessity, and consequent propriety, of declarmg martial law, when he was again interrupted, because com· ing within none of the rules laid down. The ears of the court were closed against{!very thing, of argument LIFE OF GEN. JACKSON. ssf or reason, and .without hearing the defence, the rule CHAP. was made absolute, and the attachment sued out. XI. •. ~ Th1s process was made returnable on the 31st. The 1815• general appeared. It was demanded of him to answer nineteen interrogatories, drawn up with much labour and form, which were to determine as to his guilt or innocence. He informed the court he would not be interrogated ; that he had, on a former occasion, presented the reasons which had influenced his conduct, without their producing an effect, or being even heard. "You w_ould not hear my defence, although you were advised it contained nothing improper, and ample rea-sons why no attachment should be awarded. Under these circumstances, I appear before you, to receive the sentence of the court, and have nothing further to add. " Your honour will not understand me as intending a)1y disrespect to the court; but as no opportunity has been afforded me of explaining the reasons and motives by which I was influenced, so is it expected, that censure will constitute no part of that sentence, which you imagine it your duty to pronounce." The judge proceeded to a final discharge of what he conceived the offended majesty of the laws required, and fined the' general a thousand dollars.f The hall, in which this business was transacted, was crowded with spectators. The indignation manifested by all was great. Having retired from the presence of the court, and passed into his carriage, it was seized by the people, and carried forcibly to the coffee-house, amidst the huzzas of an immense concourse, that surrounded it. Relieved from this display of the 1t..( .J. 1-~ t ; l ' ! ,. ~ - I :J- l /. • I ( ( /-.J I 6-<. .c 1-'- 'J.o f ,, / t-1 t '/ • , )Au.:,, ·~) .. rt· \. 1'-l)t ~H!J,~~ J ltlj- ~ ·.,:,1 / ' |
