American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-06-30
YoR THE wATcHMANr.


Messrs Editors-H Happening few days ago al
st. Georges on visit to the canal, and having
learned that Captain James Henry had commence ed
the business of keeping in that place, was
induced 10 put up at his house; and from my
knowledge of the qualifications OF Captain Henry
and his lady, tor situation Of that kind, was
pleased to hear that he had obtained, what consid
| ered an eligible situation for his business. had
not been long in his house, before called for some
brandy and water-and to my utter establishment
he informed me that he could not sell me any ar
dent splrlts,-that majority of The Judges OF the
Court OF Common Pleas, who have the power Of
granting tavern licenses had thought proper to de
stroy the license of the house he occupied.
The idea of the license Of respectable house
being destroyed, without some particular cause for
1t, and particularly so, soon after it was first cens
ed and deemed necessary site for house for pub
lie accommodation, induced me to inquire what
were the causes that prompted the Judges to an
act OF this kind and when heard him relate his
tale, was truly confounded and began seriously to
reflect, whether it was possible we lived in land
where every white man is alike free, and subject
to the protection an6 encouragement Of its salutary
laws and whether it was possible its members
could be so subject to the whims and Caprices OF
those, who by the will of the people, sit in authori
ty over u.s.
1t appears that the house occupied by Mr.. Henry,
and belonging to Mr.. John Sutton. was licensed for
a public house by Judges Booth, Cooper and Stout,
in the spring Of 1895. In consequence OF the To-
cation of the canal at St. Georges, increase Of
population, and improvement of the town, were
consequences, which 1t was thought, must ineyita.
bly, ensue-and MIR Sutton being large owner of
property there, was no doubt stimulated by the
prospects-and Immediately commenced building |;
and considering that one public house in 81.
Georges would not be sufficient 10 accommodate
the public centred together at that point by this
important work, he was induced to petition the
Court Tor license Tor public house. A respec.
table petition, as learned, was presented, and no
objection was made to his obtaining the license.
After the license was secured, and believing tina, j,
would remain licensed house, as is customary he
considered it not sufficiently large and convenient
for public house in that situation he did not
think proper to open it Immediately. but wen, on TO
improve it. For that purpose, he built very
large stable, and went on to prepare materials tor a
large addition to the house, which addition ob
serve is now on the way to completion; and The
whole preparation as am informed, at cos, Of
not less than 1000 dollars. Upon application at
the last Court of Common Pleas, to Judges Booth,
Cooper, and Stout with numerous and respecta
BILE petition for renewal of the license in the name
OF Captain James Henry-it was upon the sug
gestion of Joseph Roberts, Clerk Of the Court at
Newcastle, (the oWner of the other tarern house
in st. Georges and James Rogers his attorney,
both family connections Of Judge Booth, and with
out an individual remonstrance but themselves.
rejected, an unnecessary house OF public enter.
tainment. Consequently, Captain Henry is thrown
out of business and the owner of the house made
10 suffer the loss OF the improvements put upon
this property for the purposes Of public house
Feeling, as do, the privileges resulting from a
free and enlightened republic. and ever having con
sdered it the duty Of those who have the honor to
preside over free people, to be governed in the
administration of their respective offices, by the
dictates OF the people they REPRESENT we'll as by
the saIutary laws framed for them to administer,
cannot refrain from expressing my opinion in the
case under consideration; it, in my opinion, being
so gross act Of partiatity and oppression that
think it the duty Of every free citizen 10 protest
against such measures--as we are all subject to
similar oppression in different spheres Of life,
when in the power of those who may, either from
age or party interests, be swayed by designing, sci
fish men. JUSTICE.
June 20, 1896.