The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-02-01


y, consisting of "a Founders, carriages,
shells, small arms, &C. for Gen. Jackson's
army
we have much pleasure in stating that the
Keel Boat commanded by Captain Shallman,
loat. d with arms and AMMUNITION, consisting
OF about three Thousand stand of arms, 5000
pounds OF powder, three tons y lis. shells, Sc
inteaGeS, for General Jackson's army, that
lodget on the Fails on Friday last, have been
through the exertions of Capt. in IAN
Nelson) gotten of with little or no damage
and proceeded On her voyage on Monday
last.
MILLEDc EvILLE, (c.\ January rs.
a letter from Augusta mentions, that the
several Judges ofthe Superior Court convcn-
ed in that city on Friday last, - consider on
the constitutionality OF the laws taving OK
ecutons, &c. The question was brought be-
fore the Superior Court of Richmond county,
(thenin session. by rule. served on the clerk
aud sheriff, requiring them to shew cause
WHY executions hid not been issued and le-
WED as usual-these officers offered in justi-
fcation, the act of the last session, granting
stay OF execution. On security being given.
Hichdrd III. iIilae, esq. f.ddressed the court
IN short speech, & urged the -tncoustifzfio,1-
amy OF the law III question. The Judges then
rogue sted such members fthe Par as might
wish 10 express their sentiments, on ether
SIDE, to do so--Whereupon, Mr. U'sod Of
Columbia, ca member of the last legislature
and one of the Barr made some remarksex-
ptanatory OF that section of the act referring
to judgments heretofore obtained--he aLcIu-
cell as precedents, the passage of similar
laws IN other states--his arguments were
Chiefly confined to the eI1eGieucy Of the act
that 1t was necessary to project the pro-
perry OF those who are IN military service
ne also spoke cf the probability ofan invasion
OF the State from the late demonstration of
the enemy in taking possession of Cumb'd Is
land, the report of which had lust reached us.
Zen. <'IoHr7ioy made an observation TO this
etfect-that on subject of such magnitude,
he submitted to the Judges, the proprietv, in
the rrst instance, OF duly considering, 7uheth-
er fhey possessed The hower IF deciding an
ice cons:i!nfionGhty oftaqrS Mot that be
had any doubts himself, but this question had
been discussed in Congress by men of the
most distinguished talents, and not decided
- ne Judges declared they entertained no
doubts OF that power being vested in them,
and as they had been called on, thew cousid-
cred 1t their duty to exercise il. The dis
cussion being closed, the Judges retired, and
alter an half an hours convers ation, returned
te the Bench, Judge Rcrien presiding, af-
ter short preface, delivered the decision of
tne Court at considerable length, who wera
unanimously of opinion, that the law was
unconstitutional. 1t is impossible for me to
give you any thing ike correct view of the
opinion expressed by the court--they regret
ted particularly that it became their duty TO
declare the section giving relief to the sol
uiers as unconstitutional, but expressed their
intention Of granting to them all the ndul-
gence they consistently can. The Grand
Jury took into consideration the opinion pro
nounoed by the Court, and ordered 500 CO.
pies of it TO be printed and circulated for ge-
neral information