Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-05-02

shipment OF ONE MILLION Of SOVE-
RElGNS, lin gold Of course,) by the four
or five first ships for New. York, from Lon
don and Liverpool-and trust and hope
that upon their arrival, our Banks and those
of the Atlantic cities, will resume and
maintain specie aymenls,-towards which
result my thoughts and efforts have been
INCREASINGLY devoted for the last month";
The service which / have thus had an CD.
portunity to afford my own city and state,
by aiding il in taking the initiative in this
great and wholesome measure, affords me
satisfaction in which know that you and
my o'her friends will fully participate
The arrangement was only concluded de-
finitey this morning, but | communicate it
with all despatch.
DOCT. THELLER'S ADDRESS, to the
Judge, on being asked in the usual form,
tchy sentence Of death should not be pas.
sed against him.
My Lord suppose that any thing that
] may have to say, will not prevent you
from passing that sentence which you have
already prepared, and although your ques.
ton is part of the usual prescribed form /;
and however fruilIess, any remarks from
me may appear at this moment standing in
the peculiar position in which am placed
will not let pass the opportunity without
answering you, by solemnly protesting a..
gainst the jurisdiction of this court to try
me--and against the unjust, tyrannical, and
barbarous law under which have been
tried and conditionally found guilty.
II well may be called unjust, tyrannical
and barbarous, n relic of your olden time
of Baronial and Feudal legisation--a
law made 600 years ago, before England
had colony--and when her sway was
confined TO her own Island-A law, totally
unfit for the present day--and differing as
much from the spirit of your present laws
as the feelings, minds, and pursuits of the
men of that day, differ from those Of this.
It's a law, my Lord, which would de.
prive you, and every other person in this
assembly, from emigrating to any country,
where reasons political or pecuniary,
might point out and bind you to the coun-
try, where by the chance medly Of circum.
stances, you were born in letters as strong
as those that bound the Saxton serf to till
the, farm OF the thane, whose born thrall
he was.
Is it possible, my Lord, that at this adj
vanced age of civilization, such law would
be enforced-.a prerogative which the crown
of no other nation holds over their born
subjects, and one which every enlightened
being in the world--particularly those re.
siding in that independent republic, of which
| am citizen, will and ought 10 look upon
with horror and detestation.
protested on my trial, against the juris-
diction of this court, that could not be
guilty of treason, not being subject of
Great Britain, but citizen of the United
States, and that If had committed an Of
fence 1t was one against the law of nations
and that could not be tried in this pro.
vince, but in England, or the country of
which | was citizen.
1t was admitted, my Lord, by tho court,
shat was citizen of the United States,
but not less subject, having been born in
Ireland; that being born subject, no act oil
mine could make me aught else /; that Grea,
Britain could Notwithstanding my citizen
ship, still hold me as subject" Such
doctrine certainly places the naturaized
citizens Of the United States, in a singular
predcament, obliged as they are to do mil
itary duty, as well as the native born, with.
out distinction. In event Of war, if they
were ordered TO invade the British domin.
ion, by refusing they would be punished by
the one government, as for INSTRUMENTATION
and cowardice, or obeying, be punished by
the others as traitor.
A precedent was quoted by the Attonery
General in the case of Eneas Mcdonald
which somewhat resembled mine, as your
Lordship remarked. He was found guilty
also, but not executed, and this happened
ninety three.years ago. Since that time,
what change has taken place among ma.
tons, as among men! More liberal and
extended views have been held, both by the
governors and by the governed--a new
nation has sprung up from English colon.
lists, with population of upwards Of seven
teen millions, one forth Of whom are in the
same situation as myself, having been born
under monarchy, but who have since be-
come citizens of free and Independent
republic, whose constitution was framed
directly opposite to the law laid down BY
this court--"once subject, always SUBJ
ject."
When tried, my Lord, rested my de-
fence on that ground. I did not call evi
dence TO prove as might have done, that
when pursuing my course from an Ameri-
can port, in an American schooner, and 60
ing to an American island, and in the regu-
lar channel and thoroughfare, which all
regular vessels take that pass and repass
from the ports Of The states of New York,
Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin,
was fired upon in repeated volleys of mus.
kerry, by your militia. Indians and negroes
Of Maiden, and when driven upon your
shores by the inclemency of the weather,
and my men killed and wounded by the
CALLING fire of three or four hundred con.
cealed raemen, fired upon them in self
defence-this | would have proved-and il
your Lordship could remember, nearly all
Of which was admitted by The very evidence
brought against me--by my captors az they
styled hemselvss--they, even they, admit.
ted the greater part.
And now, my Lord, after three months
severe Imprisonment, the greater part Of
which time was passed in chains, | have
been tried for "not having the fear of God
in my heart, not weighing the allegiance
owe her majesty the queen" An allegi.
mo- ,.,h;cb I Al .,ot n~rs,J.~ .......Ir a.