Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-04-11
CASE OF DIR. WATKINS.
W WARRINGTON. NARcu q

wAsHtscToS, MARCH %.
This case was brought before the Crciut
Court OF this District, on Monday last, the
first day Of tho present term, BY Mr.. Brent,
who moved for rule on the District Atior-
ncy Of the United States, TO shew cause why
n writ OF Hassss Corpus should not issue. The
District Attorney, Mr.. Key, intimated that in
consequence Of the decision Of the Supreme
Court at their last term, in Watkins's case
he should deem Il necessary 10 move for his
commitment; and suggested that the object
of the petitioners counsel in applying for n
Habeas Corpus might be accomplished. il AT
all, as well by resisting his motion TO commit.
or by moving TO quash the new writs OF ca.
Sa. The Court determined TO hear the case
argued yesterday, when, accordingly, Mr.
Brent moved TO quash those writs
The points taken by Mr. Brent in support
OF his motion, and which lac argued at consi-
derable length, were, We understand, the fol-
lowing, viz:
D. That the arrest Of Watkins under the
former process, which the supreme Court
had decided To be illegal, satisfied the iudg-
ments Of the United States against him
,. That more than n year and day had
elapsed since the rendition of the judgments
and since the return day of the original exc
cutions. and there was no seirs Jaeias
). That no second execution against DR.
Watkinss body could issue, unless the first
had been entered not called by consent.
=. That Waikinss last arrest was a viola
ton Of privilege, having been made while he
was ooeying mandate Of the supreme Court
OF the United States, requiring his presence
before them
.. That IL was no part of the sentence of
The Court that Watkins should stand commit
ted I'LL the payment Of the fines, for not nav
ing which lac IS now held in Imprisonment
THAI these fines are ercessire. being against
the settled rule Of law forbidding the infiic-
ton of fine beyond the par,y's ability TO
pay IL; against the Bill of Rights Of Mary
land and against the Constitution Of the L.
States.
Mr.. Key, on the part of the United States.
proceeded TO answer Mr.. Brent, but had not
concluded his argument at half past J O'Clock,
when the Court adjourned till this morning
at o'clock-.Nat. Int.
MARCH 29.--In the case sr parfs Of ToJiu,
Watkins, Mr. Key, District Attorney, conclud-
ed ms argument yesterday, and was re piled 10
by .Hr Coke, for the prisoner, who was fol-
lowed by Mr.. Jones on the same side The
Court then adjourned, il being q O'Clock. ill
y O'Clock this morning, when Mr.. Key will a.
gain address IL on behalf Of the United States.
bid.
In the case "a ,-rte Tobia, Watkins, the ar
gument was concluded on Saturday by Mr..
Coke for the prisoner. The case is now with
The Court; and Il is supposed that their opin.
ION on y will probably be pronounced to- NOR
row or next day. The Court adjourned till
Tuesday. Tfbii' .7vr;i 1.
No opinion has yet been delivered in the
Circuit Court for the District of Column,
(now ut sesson in this city, IN the case az
Dr. Watkins. The reason probably is. that
Chief Justice CraDch has been engaged. every
day since Sunday, with the Executive officers.
In examining testimony in relation 10 the late
disastrous hre in the Treasury Department.
Nat. ini. .4Yril q.