Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-10-07

sa,d causes To trial IN the courts of vice
admiralty of Antigua, or Barbadoes.-
Thus, this pusillanimous and avaricious
Judge, forgetful of his duty, and fearing to
miss the opportunity of amassing such ex-
traordinary large fees, swallowed the bait
that was held cut to him by the willy agent,
and actually engaged, before hand. to con-
demn the said loans to the captors
In order to explain this fact by farther
calculation, beg leave to submit to your
iordship the following details. Presided
at that period in the island of Tortola, fol-
lowing the occupation of prize agent, in
the pursuit of which Business l constantly
attended the sittings ofthe vice-admiralty
prize court, whether my own immediate
concerns and interests required it or not.
on the morning of the day fixed for the
trial OF the Danish loans, L prefectly re-
member having had large party of gen
tlemen at breakfast at my house, which
happened to be situated in the vicinity of
the court house, whittier we all intended to
go, to hear the trial of said loan but, as
lmquity always shuns publicity, the kings
proctor, George Clarke Forbes, esqr. whose
Office was next door tomine, requested me
Mr.. U. ID. Dix (then an agent for claim
ants) not to 60 UP to the courthouse, and
TO prevail on my company also to abstain
from attending, because, quoth he, IS the
Judge wishes to hear this cause, and give
his sentence in the most private manner !;
that he, MIR. F.intended, merely, after the
crier opened tie court, TO read the allega-
tons, and there being no claim or opposi
ton, the Judge would pass immediately
sentence of condemnation, as already
agreed upon" Your lordship will please
to weigh and duly interpret the meaning
OF these words. Among my company was
Mr. Vaughan Hamilton, barrister aud
junior kings counsel and Messrs. Grant
and simpson, also practitioners at the bar.
fhe later gentleman, being independent
men, expressed the greatest indignation at
the base conduct OF the Judge and senior
kings counsel, and regretted their not
having an opportunity TO give them smart
professional flashing bur not being crown
lawyers, nor otherwise retained in the
cause, they forbore to volunteer against
the predetermined and avowed partiality
OF the Judge but Mr.. Hamilton being q
young man, just admitted to the bar. and
decorated with silk gown, eagerly en-
oraced this opportunity of rising in fame,
and merltlng the appreciation of his maies-
Tvs ministers, by moving the court to con-
denim these loans to the crown.-He COM
munlcated his design to me, whereupon |
ADVISED him to give notice thereof to the.
judge without loss of time. Mr.. Hamilton
accordingly waited upon his honor imme-
diately, at his chambers, but was received
with frowns, and sternly told, that by the
rules OF the court, he ought to give three
days notice previous to making the mo-
ton that the cause had been set down
for final hearing and sentence on that
very day, and that he, the Judge, would on
no account allow it to be postponed.
After this the court was opened the
common forms were mechanically gone
through, and the loans were condemn
ell to the captors, mem. eon--The
Judge thus disgraced the bench by vending
justice, and improperly advocating the
cause OF the captors against the king his
sovereign Tor base lucre; and even, after
wards he expressed ais uncOncern about
the sensation which his strange proceed
lngs might produce in his maiesty's cabi-
net adding, that he cared very little for
what ministers might do--that having been
better paid by the captors than he would
have been by the king, they could at the
utmost only suspend him, and then he in
tended to retire on his pension for life, the
situation of judge of the vice admiralty
prize court having become less desirable
on account of the fees being lessened by
the decrease in the number Of captures.
This gentleman has nav retired to the
U. States of America, being great admi-
rer and partizan of the democratic princi-
pies OF that country and has appointed
Mr.. Maurice Lisle to be his surrogate. to
the great scandal and disgrace of the whole
bar this Mr.. Lisle being noted Yankee.
who allowed the kings health to be refus-
ed to be drank by an American at his own
tablet on occasion of a public dinner Civ
en- by him for which want Of loyalty he
was excluded from all society, deprived of.
his rank of colonel in the militia, and onIy
escaped the most summary corporal chas-
tisement, on account of his old age and
other infirmities.
i determined on communicating to your
lordship these particulars, as the events
here alluded to took place during your
lordship's administration, and the pending
litigation is now drawing towards conclu3
sion; conceiving that the knowledge of
the true and real state of things, and eau
ses and effects must be highly necessary
for the guidance and Judgment of the lords
r. a