Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-05-16
SAVANNAH, (Ceo.) April 27.

the superior court, Judge Bowen arrived
here. AS one means OF exciting our adj.
miration, he thought proper to commit
an act, Improper To state, at u respectable
boarding house, which being Justly re-
sented by the lady who kept it, he carri-
ed the quarrel to an assault on her, and
| issued such threats that she feared for her
future safety.
On Monday last, the court opened.
The Judge delivered charge which for
violence Of language and irrelevance to le-
gal duties is believed TO be without a pa
rallel. The sentiments are such as, at
tins period, are improper and dangerous
in the extreme. The subject was wholly
political and foreign to the nature of a iu-
dicial charge but man despe-
rately deprayed would delight in ravaging
the creation, that some evils might be ex-
tirpa,ed.
Conceiving the tendency of the charge
! TO be alarmingly evil !; on Wednesday last,
the grand jury very properly and spirited
iy presented the charge itself, and re-
! commended that it should NOT be publish
ed.
Judge Bowen, in rage, instantly di-
rected the sheriff to conhne them in Jail.
AT this ala involuntary and almost univer-
! sal no issued from the persons present.
The judge then broke out in the most out
rageous and prolane language I; drew a
pistol and declared he vvould shoot fhe ras-
cal whio dare say NO. The grand jury de-
clared their readiness to obey the order
OF the court, and were suffered to be COM
mitted; the whole body Of the spectators
attending them.
An order was then made by the Judge,
that his charge should be published in the
Georgia Republican, and the court was
adjourned.
The gentlemen of the bar, met and pas
sed several resolutions on the occasion,
one OF which was 10 give dinner to the
grand jury and to dine with them at the
Jail, which was accordingly done.
AT one O'Clock the citizens met at the
exchange and passed number Of resolu.
tons suited to the emergency.-Them meet
ing exceeding four hundred.
These proceedings enraged the Judge
10 that degree that he began to threaten
The lives OF the citizens, setting fire TO the
| city and deluging it with blood.-A war;
rant founded on these threats and the as
sault on Mrs. ----s was issued for his
confinement, the charge being supported
by the aifidavits of several respectable
characters. When taken he endeavored
to escape, and flashed pistol at the She
riff.
About 10 O'Clock in the evening, he was
committed to the common Jail of the coun-
ty, where he now remains.
On Thursday morning, the grand Jury
! applied to the inferior court for writ of
ha6eas cortiuS, which was granted, agree
bly, to the following order.
Chambers, Afiylt %, 1904.
Present he Hon. Edward Telfai., Edward
Harden, John G.. Williamson.
A communication this day from the
foreman OF the grand jury, was received
and read, setting forth that that body had
been committed 10 tie common Jail under all
order of Judge Bowen, who as shewn 10 us
isnow confined in Jail, and praying relief in
the premises, and on motion of Mr.. Ber-
rien, 1t is ordered that a habeas corpus be
| issued, and that the sheriff do without de
I lay bring into court the foreman and the
other citizens who compose the grand iu-
ry.
The sheriff attended with the foreman
I ana CITIZENS who compose the grand Jury,
and thereupon the court addressed them
as follows.
| FELLOW Citizens,
! 1t will be difficult to find precedent to
meet your Case, at the same time, we feel
no hesitation in declaring your commit
ment, now before the court, illegal.
Because, that it strikes at the root of
Jurisprudence, and consequently puts a
period to the present term without you,
the lives and the rights of your fellow CT
items are in danger--it is the grand Jury
OF inquest they look up 10 for protection,
and without your body, the laws of our
county cannot be executed. The patrio.
tism, frmness and dignity with which
you have conducted yourselves, together
with the patience and fortitude you. have
displayed, will hand your names with APP
Plause to posterity.
The arbitrary and illegal confinement
under which you have labored for twenty
four hours, is hereby declared to cease,
and therefore, you are discharged from
your confinement,