South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1835-12-19
sATURDAY, DECEMBER A9, 1856.

| me by one of the sworn officers of thi
government. thought, and still think
that neither the laws or policy of the U
/ States, could countenance the idea, tina
| the powers of the Federal Government
were equal to abolish or render null tn,
1 relations between debtor and creditor, 81
far only as its particular officers, wheth
er civil or military, may be concerned
or to convert one of their vessels, ethe
armed or unarmed, into an asylum 70
protection of those who may be un
wiling to satisfy engagements previous
| ly contracted with their fellow citiz ems
I Nor had any doubt, that the discipline
of the naval service must be highly often
ded, by the use Of the incorporate Ian
guaga, and the exer.lon of such power
as was practised upon this occasion to-
wards one Of the most responsible off
GERS known to the laws ofthis and of ey.
cry other State in our Confederacy
Therefore, l thought it to be my dutyts
bring such acts directly under the obser.
walton of the magistrate charged with
the preservation of this discipline, and
with the execution of thess laws; leav-
ing it to him to decide upon the course
he might think proper to adopt under
such circumstances.
had no idea, however, ofrefarring Q.
ven to this high magistrate, or to any o.
Their forum than those of this Commons
wealth itself, to decide what was due to
the offended majesty other laws, or what
punishment should be awarded against
any who may outrage her peace and
dignity.--Therefore, forthwith dirac-
ted the proper legal proceedings to be
instituted against the offender, in our
own courts; and an indictment prefer
red against him by tho Attorney of the
Commonwealth, has been returned by
the Grand Jury az "a true bill" His
departure from the Commons ealth may
possibly have prevented the necessary
process from being served upon him, as
yet. But it will be continued again and
again, even TO the last extremity, until it
has produced its effect; unless the most
satisfactory reparatlon IS made for the
wrong done. To q community like this.
the members Of which have been reared
in habitual reverence Of law, nothing is
SO odlous az to witness the contempt of
that which they have been taught to
veneEate. and when such Contempt is
manifested by those who derive their
whole authsrlty from the low, thero is
always hazard that such examples may
be followed by others differently situated.
But civil liberty must cease to exist,
whenever any man or body OF men, whe-
cher clothed with civil or military author
ity. or without authority OF any kind. is
suffered to violate the Law with impunity.
The facts of this case induce mo to re-
commend to you, a revision of the Stat
ules, applicable to it, and to suggest the
proprle!y Of providing by law, that the
commander OF any armed vessel of the
United Statea, who. after bong duly no.
tilted BY creditor, that his debtor is on
board such vessel. shall remove such
debtor from out of this commonwealth,
shall fer SO doing be held personally LA
BILE fof the amount OF such debt. re-
commend to you, also, to authorize the
proper officers of the law, upon due proof
made before lhem, that mlsdemeanor
has been commited. by any one about
to depart from the commonwealth to a.
ward o cApIAs ct once against such Of
fender. The statutes upon this subject,
now in force, will not be found to au-
thorizs any such prompt proceeding, al
though in many cases, 1t Is obviously Me-
cessary. a
Early in the month OF September last,
received o communication from the
Governor of Maryland, accompanied by
the copy of a Report of a Special Com.
| mittee Of the House of Delegates Of thai
State. which concludes with two Resolu
tions on the subject of its Boundaries
BY the first OF these Resolutions, tha
passed at the December Session of tina
body. in the year 1888, Ia copy Of which
is now on your Journals,) is expressly
repealed, and the Attorney General II
required TO discontinue the proceeding
thereby directed. By the last. the Go
I vernon of Maryland ID requested to trans
NIT copy of the first resolution TO thu
Government of Virginia, and to commu
nicate to it the earnest desire OF tn
State of Maryland to close, and fnall
adjust, the question concerning the boun
darles of that State, by alnlcable nego
citation. The duty with which the Gov
ernor of Maryland was go charged, wa
| fulfilled by the letter stated. In this,
was invited TO a renewal ofthe negocia
ton upon the subject referred to ; an
TO accept of the proposals formally mad
by Maryland in the Resolutions passe
1 by its Legislature. at their Dacembe
4 Session, 1881.
i Having no authority to enter into an
new negotiation upon this subject,
promptly replied to the letter had re
ceved, stating this fact, and promlsin
to submit the matter to you for your dc
termination. AS l doubted, howeve
whether the authority formerly given
r the Governor of Maryland, had not bee
subsequently revoked. with view
preventing any delay in the negotiate
, hereafter, tshould you think proper
] grant the necessary power to any one