Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-03-19
From the Boston Post.
GENERAL JACKSON AND JUDGE
HALI'S FINE OF $1,000


HALLS FINE OF $1,000.
Justice has at length triumphed over par
tizanship! The nation has INDICATED the
fame Of one Of its bravest defenders. The
fine of ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS, so spite
fully imposed by partial Judge W on the
hero of New Orleans, has at length been
RENTED by the highest authority Of the
Union. And now the great patriot of the
Hermitage will travel life's downward Jour
ncy cheered by the reflection that his coun-
try has officially wiped off the stain that ii
officially stamped upon him; as the people
wiped il off, nnofciaHy, the very hour Of
its imposition How nor stands the intre-
pid warrorl How now stands the .nalig-
nant judgel
We have been led by the passage Of the
recent law 10 some "reminiscences connect
ed with this rema kable transaction. THIS
fine was imposed by Judge Hall at New
Orleans, on the 3lst of March, 1915. The
preext for it was Gen. Jackson's alleged
opposition to the execution of a writ oc ha-
beaS corpus issued for the release Of per-
son imprisoned for breach Of martial law,
proclaimed in New Orleans, while the Bri-
fish were threatening the city. The cir
cumstances connected with the trial were
peculiar. The writ having been served on
the general, he presented himself 10 the
court, March II. The rumor that the tri-
al was 10 come on attracted crowds Of
grateful people whom the laureled victor
had delivered from The horrors Of British
pi!lage; and as he entered the door of the
court house, they broke out into enthusias-
TIC and repeated cheers. Judge Hall, ter
rllad at the consequences his own malig-
nty were likely TO draw upon him. remark
sit was impossible 10 proceed with tina,
kind of interruptions" and was abou, 10
adjourn the court. Gea Jackson, then
presented his d. fence in mriting The lat
ter then said-"Sir, pledge my life there
shall be no interruption on my part. y
The judge then ordered him peremtorly
to sit down. Il will, ms dear SIR" re-
piled the general. Mr. Dick the attorney,
then opened the cause on the part of the
prosecution, and while proceeding with his
address against jackson, the latter begged
leave of the court permission to withdraw,
under preteXt of his ldy's indispostion-
This was granted Mr.. Dick then went
on, objecting 10 the reading Of The generals
defence. Major Reed. Edward Livingston,
MIR. Duncan, and Major Davezac, aid-de-
camps to the general, presented themselves
ne counsel TO defend his cause. Major
Reed presented Jackson's defence, which
was again objected to by Mr.. Dick. Mr..
Livingston then argued in support Of the
defence, and he was succeeded bv Mr..
Duncan; they were then replied to by the
opposite counsel. The Judge decided to
admit the defence so far as it related to the
legal points, but debarred the reading Of
the parts relating TO the necessities Of The
times, &c. MAJOR Reed went on TO read
a portion, when the Judge stopped him
Peremptorily declaring the paper should
not be read. The court then adjourned.
The next day the Judge appeared with
an elaborate opinion. touching the reading
Of the defence. The counsel FOR the gene
raj urged with zeal the constitutional right
TO introduce it: the opposing counsel aga:n
replied. But the Judge persisted in his
opinion, in spite Of the eloquence Of such
counsel as Edward Livingston. After long
arguments, pro and con-, the court adjourn
ed until IL O'Clock the next day. On the
29lh of March, Wednesday, the court de-
cided that the fine should be imposed; but,
after argument, adjourned again until Fri
day. On this day, March 81, says con-
temporary account, General Jackson
walked into the court house with admira-
bic composure, and exemplary respect for
The high authority that had called him
thithcr." He on this day dispensed with
The assistance of his counsel. He approach
ed the Judge with paper in his hane.-
Judge Hall then asked him to respond to
certain in,erroga.ories. The general re-
piled that she would not answer Them"
saylng-"Sir, my defence in This accuse.
ton has been otlt red, and you have denied
It's admission; you have refused me an OPP
portuni!y of explaining my motives, and
the necessity for the adoption of the mar
tial law 10 repelIing an invading foe;''then.
after al uding 10 The legal technicalities of
The case, he said-"l was then with these
brave fellows in arms referring TO the sur
rounding crowd)-you were not, sir.''-
Judge Hail went out of the city when the
British were near it, and did not return un-
til after the victory Of the Sih. The Judge
then proceeded 10 read an opinion, fitted
out to cap this climax Of ingratitude p
The general interrupted him, calmly say
ing-"Sir, sta e facts, and confine yourself
to them. since my defence is and has been
/ precluded: let not censure constitute n part
of this sought for punishment" The Judge
repIied-''li is with deIicacy, general, that
| speak of your name and character
consider YOU the savior of The country, but
for your contempt of civil auiharify, or TO
that effect, YOU will pay foe of $1,000"
GeneralJacksonh here interrupted the Judge.
by filling check for that sum on the bank,
and handed i, TO the marshall. which was
received in discharge. tie then retired.
We give The thrilling scene that easued
10 the words of letter written on the spot.
and on the day this ungraieful sentence
was passed.
.At The door he-GEN. JAcxsoS-was
received amidst the acclamations Of the cx-