The native American., 1838-12-22
OF SIR MATTHEW HALE.

| gentleman of considerable independence il
England had two sons, the eldest OF whom caused
him much anxiety from his dissipated charactc
and conduct: the young man himself, tired OF re
straint, asked permission of his father to go tt
some foreign cline, which was readily granted
and sum of money advanced him for that Pur
pose.
He had not, he fnver, long left home, before the
ship he was on board of was taken by the Alge-
rnes, and consequently he was taken prisoner 10
Alglers, where he remained a considerable num-
ber of years, without the least opportunity offer
ing OF his sending, or hearing from home; at
length, however, he fortunately effected his es-
cape, and returned to his native land, almost des-
tute OF clothing, and entirely pennyless; when he
arrived at the village where he drew his first
breath, in answer to his first inquiry, he was in
formed that his father had been dead many years.
and his younger brother in full possession of the
estates; on this information he proceeded imme-
diately to his brothers. house, where, on his arr-
val, he stated who he was, and recounted his
misfortunes.
He was at first received with evident tokens of
surprise; but what was his astonishment, after his
brother had little recovered himself, to find that
he (the younger brother) was determined to treat
him as an impostor, and ordered him to quit the
house, for that he had number of witnesses to
prove the death of his elder brother abroad
Being thus received he returned to the village,
but met with no success, as those who would
have been likely to give him assistance were either
dead, or had gone away; i'll this predicament, he
succeeded in finding an attorney at little dis
tance, to whom he related the circumstances ex-
acty as they stood, and requested his advice.
The attorney seeing the desperate state in which
the affair stood, observed that as his brother was
in possession, he would be likely to have recourse
to every unjust means, by subornng witnesses,
&C.; but, however, he would undertake to advo-
cate his cause, condition that if he proved sue
cess(ul, be should be paid thousand pounds; if
the contrary, said the attorney, las you have no.
thing TO gve) shall demand nothing. To this
proposal, Of course, the elder brother agreed.
ltshould be remarked, that at this time, bribery
and corruption were at such pitch, that it was
no uncommon circumstance for Judge, jury-in
short the whole court, to be perverted on one
side or the other; the lawyer naturally concluded
this being the case, that the elder brother stood
but very indifferent chance, although he himself
had no doubt of the validity Of his claim.
In this dilemma he resolved to take Journey
to London aud lay the case before Sir Matthew
Hale, then Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench
!
than for his unshaken integrity and strict imparti
ality. .
Sir Matthew heard the relation of the circum-
stances with patience, as likewise the attorneys
suspicious ofthe means, that would be adopted to
deprive the elder brother of his right He (Sir
Matthew desired him TO 90 on with the regular
process of the law, and leave the rest to him.
Thus matters rested until the day of trial came
on; a few days previous 10 which, Sir Matthew
lefthome, and travelled till he came within short
distance of the town where the matter was to be
decided, when passing millers house, he direct
ed his coachman to stop, while he alighted from
his carriage, and went INTO the house. After sa-
Iuting the miller, he told him he had a request to
make, which he hoped would be complied with.
which was, to exchange clothes with him, and
allow him to leave his carriage there until he re-
turned lin day or two.)
The miller at first thought Sir Matthew was
Joking but on being convinced to the contrary, he
would fain have fetched his best suit; but no-Sir
Matthew would have none but the working dress
the miller had on. The exchange was soon ef-
(ected, and Sir Matthew, equipped with the mil
er's clothes, hat, and wig, proceeded on foot the
following morning.
Understanding the trial between the two bro
theirs was to take place that day, he went early to
the yard of the. court hall, without having had
communication with any one on the subject BY
mixing in the crowd, he had soon an opportunity
of having the elder brother pointed out to him.
He soon after accosed him with '.WeIl, my
friend how is your case likely to go on?'' 81
do not know, replied he), but am afraid but bad
Iy, for | have every reason to suppose that both
Judge and jury are deeply bribed; and, for myself,
having nothing but the justice Of my cause to de-
pend on, unsupported by the property which my
brother can command, have but faint hopes 0.
succeeding"
He then recounted to the supposed miller the
whole Of his tale, and finished by informing him
of the agreement which had taken place between
him and the lawyer: although Sir Matthew was
in possession of the principal part of the circum-
stances, yet the ingenious relation he had now
heard, left no doubt in his mind of his being the
person he represented himself, and consequently
heir to the estate in question.
Sir Matthew being determined to act accord
ingy, he, with this view, begged Of the elderbro
lher not TO be low spirited on the subject, !" for
(says he,) perhaps it may be in my power to be
of service to- you-I don't know that it will, be-
ing, as you see, but poor miller, but will do
what can: if you will follow my advice, it can do
Won No hornn onl NOV ha of use IN yoti ~ Tho