Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-01-24

do,dani, SC. or irithout them whether with
without tire feutlsl principles that pervade that
code, so hostile TO The ma xms and spirit of our
publican institutions.
Neitl or j. II settled what is the common law OF
England. Wheeler 1t s'ops at the laws of Alfred,
or Edward the Conics.of. or az the code OF Ed
ward the rhnd, or 1t the Commentaries OF Lord
Cocke or whether i, embraces al ,he judicial dica
and decisions with all their conilirtions, from
the year books o. the last reporter that j., every
par, OF the law not embraced by AN ac, OF pulia-
ment.
Nor l. il settled. whether The common Law, with
its notifications adopted IN any particular state
of the Union, or which ut Them, be the common
law oc the u. States. For in each state it presents
different features and character.
n or is it any where declared in The federal con
s,iiniion, that the federal judges aching legislative
ly, shall make code oil common law Tor them
selves, out OF the various systems and notifications
OF the common law, as it Is vaguely called, already
enumerated by your petitioner.
Every thing relating to it, as yet, rests upon
nnau horised, vague, and dubious suppostion; far
too uncertain la lis present state 10 he regarded as
justiiab.e ground of decision or enac ion.
Neither is the doctrine of libel as vet clearly set
ted by he English bench; is it formally deci-
ded whether Mr.. FoX's bill declaIa;nry or en-
active; and very recently, the judi OF that conn
try have differed on the Innocence and crimuality
OF reporting faithfully ad udica,el eases. Under
these circumstances, that no double whatever may
remain in the minds of the good people of The Unit
cd States, oftheir right citizens aud electors, To
discuss ui'h temper the conduct AID character of
any public officer. however high in office, or OF
any candidate for any public station, your petition
er prays. that This his petition may be subjected to-
and decided on, by ,he considerable wisdom of your
honorable body. For, IN the present state OF the
question: il is impossible but some clouds of doubt
must hover over one of he most important rights
that can interest a citizen o! free country. I'm
fortunately The sedition law not repealed. but
suffered 10 expire by it, own limitation; and no
legislative opinion adverse 10 the principles of it,
has ever been expressed. If your petitioners fine
be reaiued under the sanction OF the national esis-
lature, II :nny well seem TO sanction also the por-
tentous prohibitions OF the se,on law, and leave
room for similar law, should the public feeling
be at any time dead 10 the mschefs of it,
| Your petitioner deeply convinced, that the sedi
ton law and all the proceedings under i, have been
the mistaken result of an anxious zeal for the
character OF public agents, aud Of confined view
OF The rights of electors in this free country is de-
slfous OF bringing this important question under
| revision, by submitting his own case to the col
lecred wisdom Of your honorable body. He offers
'hese suggestions, therefore, with The utmost res
pect and Difference, coniding implicitly in the ul-
innate decision of the Legislature of he Union,
whatever opinion hat legislature may deem il en-
peiieni 10 pass upon his case. He therefore prays
hat the fiue eyac.ed from end paid by him, and
still retained in the public treasury, be restored 10
him with interest, as having been exacted by mis-
| take, and retained enormously.
Aad your petitioner shall ever pray, &c.
THOMAS COOPER, NJ. d.
President ofthe South Carolina College
February 1925.