Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-06-28
THE CASE OF WATKINS.

states, ptuy9ag TIE 1duor 10 thts usgVFtootdte
man. He is seen with his hands on an enor-
nous paddock, and over the door are the
words, i. WATKINs-CRIMISAL's APART
sENT-The painter has very appropriately
placed at the bottom of the drawing, these
words from Shakespeare:
Man, cain man,
Dressed in a little brief authority. like an An
CRY APE,
Plays such fantastic tricks before high hearen,
us make the angels ioeep.
And Is it possible there is any foundation
in truth for this bitter satire on human ma
ture? Can it be possible that the represen-
tation can have any resemblance to any thing
that has ever t~ranspired under our human
and mild government
No citizen Of Washington can pass by that
melancholy prison without thinking OF the
fate Of the ence elegant scholar and gentle
man, the ornament of society, the unfortu-
nate DIR. Watkins, nor ean he, at the same
time, refrain from rejecting on the barbarous
and cruel vengeance Of Andrew jackson.
For three years this unhappy man has been
shut up IN a small apartment; one year long
er than he time appointed by the sentence OF
the law; but jackson, in his elegant Ian
guage, has declared, that he shall remain there
until he yots. Is this for the purpose OF salts
fying the ends OF justice? In our happy
country, justice is tempered with mercy:
punishment is propoltioned 10 the degree OF
the offence, and there is a limit to the pun
ishment of the robber, the incendlsry, or the
perjured villain. Oh M. the demands OF
justice have been loong since fully satisfied,
in respect to the unfortunate Watkins but
the cTarings Of oengeance are insnfiabtei The
unfortunate man has been wasting away IN
consequence of confinement and grief, and
a few months NAV suffice to unbar his pri.
son, and 10 give him a refuge in the grave.
VIII the impartial historian give Jackson
credit for being such an enemy to defaulters?
To him that has always been surrounded by
deiauliers-even now they constitute some
of bis most confidential advisers! No, if
Watkins had been a warm supporter oil Jack
sons pretentions, a thousand excuses would
have been made for him, a thousand paliiat
ing circumstances would have been brought
forward, and the gentle hand OF mercy would
long since, have been extended to him.
All the circumstances OF this extraordinary
case ought to be carefully preserved Tor the
use of the future historian, who may under
take to draw the character Of 3ackseR
No person will contend that it was not the
duty Of the President Of the United States, in
III Case U w htkiIlo, " tIhfC " ItO
secntion; but after having done this. the du
ty of the executive, with the exception of the
prerogaiive Of mercy or pardon, ended; that
of the judiciary commenced 1t was the dn-
w OF the court to take care that a trial OF the
offender took place, and that its officers,
marshals, or constsbies executed its sentence,
The President had nothing more TO do with
the trial, or the execution OF the sentence,
than the Senate OF the United States, or the
House Of Representative, or the Governor OF
Maryland, except when the court thought 1t
necessary to call for assistance of military
force. The President had performed his du-
ty when he turned over the accused to the
court: every interference after this, with the
exception Just named, was indelicate, and
we must say, unconstitutional. And yet, IT
is notorious. that jackson employed the whole
weight of his influence, as well personal, as
that belonging to bis high station, TO procure
a conviction. He employed additional coua-
sci, with whom he was continually close'ed;
was constantly, during the trial. making dis.
respectful and distI ustful remarks OF the
court, for not condemning Watkins in stantaa-
ter; and this matter, trivial as it was, com.
pared TO the mighty national affairs which
claimed his attention, seemed 10 engross all
his thoughts. 1t was well the judge was net
IN his power, for he would certainly have re-
moved him. Alter the conviction and sem
tence Of Watkins, our magnanimons Presi-
dent sent for Mr.. Ringgold, the Marshal Of
the District, and in his coarse and offensive
language, rated him for no: having put Wat
kins in a dungeon, but in an apartment by
himself, with the luxury Of a chair and table,
and even INDUCING him in the use of pen and
inki Considerations of delicacy and huma-
nifty apart, what authority had the President
of the United States 10 Interfere with the
course Of Justice, and hus usurp the pro-
vince of the Judiciary? No one but an ar
biirary, ignorant solder, would have thought
of such a thing. The marshal. in a very
mild. but determined Manner, declined COM
pIyipg with the orders of the President; but
feeling himself in the power Of a tyrant, re-
auested permission to consult the Attorney
General.
MIR. Berrien, with the feelings of a gentle
man, as well as the judgment OF an accom-
plished jurist, without hesitation, gave it as
his opinion, that Watkins might remain
where he was. MIR Ringgold came back with
this opinion-the lion, after roaring awhile,
ordered the marshal to go instantly s. have
the words T. WATKIss-CRIMIsAL's APART
MEsr-painted over the door! A noble re-
yenge, truly worthy of the great and lofty
soul of jackson The poor marshal, howey-
er. in due time, felt the effects of his rash hui
manity-he was deprived Of his office, and
another was appointed in bis place. 1t may
he asked. has Watkins solicited a release,
and has il not been usual for persons similar
Nv situated, to make such solicitation? The
o,s q, thaf n has mt hQan usual for a