Winchester gazette. [volume] (Winchester, Va.) 18??-1826, 1822-09-14
ID q NJ K S TIC.
CIVIL WAR.

she good people Of the state. The |
constitution declares that +" when any
office shall become vacant by death,
resignation, or otherUisc, the Governor
shall have the power TO 6il such va
cancy." The Secretary OF State, COL
Hammana, did not vacate his office by |
death, or res,gnGtior-but because he
was absent on the sea.board for about |
so days for the benefit of his health,
the Governor chose to consider his Of
Tee raSnnt, and appointed a successor.
1t seems that Col. X. was in i'll
hcailh--,he left his residence adjuin-
ing to MiiledseviIie for the purpose Of
recruiting his health; he purpased to
s,ay only Few days, but previous to
his departure, he left signed as many
blanks as he supposed would be want
Ing 10 his ofiice-and still further to
obviate every Inconvenience, he left
with his principal clerk, Thos. III.
Crawford, the following power of at
torney:
" Secretary Of State Office,
MILL6DCEYILLE, GEORGIA.
Mr. Thomas II. Crawford is here
BY fully authorized and empowered to
sigu for me, and in my name AMI stead,
any official paper or papers that may
necessarily be issued from this of
flee during my absence therefrom."
1t does not appear whether there be
any law to justify such transference
of power ) without some such provir
Sion, the instrument appears Sufficient
y extraordinary. This paper was
regularly signed, &c. asd bears date
the eth July.
Matters went on smoothly enough
until the 12th, August, when the sign
ed Blanks, that had been left for grants
70 land drawn 10 the last land Lottery,
gave out. The Governor was acquaint-
ed with the matter, aud declared the
power of attorney void--aud under the
above reeited clause Of the constitution,
declared the Office vacant, and ap-
pointed Simon Whitaker the ne1U Sc
cre1ary of State.-Mr, Crawford,
however was Hot go complainant as
might have been expected. He re-
fused to deliver up IN Mr.. w. the
books, records and keys, &c.-aeting
Then came the war to exiremities.
After some time (adds the Milledge-
vile Recorder,) the Governor came TO
the Office again, and told the Clerk.
that if he did not give up the key, he
wauId, have him throWn out of the
house The Clerk refused--He was
repeatedly threatened with warrant,
aud as often refused to give up the of
fee. Mr.. Whitaker went and appli-
ed to jus tiee of the peace for war
rant against Mr.. Crawford, but the
Magistrate could find no law TO au
thorise it, and therefore declined Civ
ing one a carpenter was then sent to
the Office to take the lock off the door
and pu. on a new one. MIR. Crawford
ordered him not to touch the lock, and
he retired-He wae again called and
ordered to proceed, and was again or
defed by Mr.. Crawford not to touch it,
ard he desisted, MIR. Whitaker then
went to the Executive Office and re.
Turned with MIR. Bnreh, Dne Of the Co
Vernar's Secretaries. and the carpen-
ter. hl-. Bureh took hold Of he door
IOT tno curry uic1 !" PtuSONui "Heo q
battle ensued be.ween him and MIR.
Crawford, in which, it seems. Mr..
Whitaker toak hand, Some per.
sous IN The passage ran in and parted
them. Mr.. R0rch alone was injured
in s'isM degresS fsow whom some
blood was drawns.sslEnmedintely after
they were sepaSased the Governor
>ame in, ADD ina yioien' passion, or
defed th~ carpefitzr te pull of he lock
and pue nu "a, ethersthat he had The
control there nd ,ras responsible for
Ne consequence 6Ae carpenter obey
ed, and ,husAas Cdiohel Hammond
forcib!y drptiged OF his office--Nsith.
er the Executive order 'fos. vaeating
the office, or copy Of it, was shew1
20 Mr.. Crawford. till after every effort
to inlimidate him had been tried in
vain.
Col, II. returned on The 17th, de-
maDded re-p"Ssession IT his Office,
and made a similar demand-high
words only ensued, and here the mat
ter rests.
1t really does appear singular
enough, that the Governor should enn
strne a temporary absence Of a few
sgitu,i"nal disability and An actual va
eaucy. l. is in vain to say, as the Co.
Vernur Gays in his preeept Of the new
appointment. that Col. II. was sb5ent
without the permission or knowledge
of the Executive-for, there does not
a,,nesr In he INV law vhiek makas II