Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1849-08-01
STATE VS.. J. NJ. BARRETT.
Warrant to Arrest and Rcco gnise WIt

/ W uf'utt ~ [1i'Sot uHU Ntoc u W tthSoo'
We call the attention OF The Magistrates
and p. Master Of and in Ibis State, m our
report of the legal proceedings. had in this
case aSains, G. w. Fl. Legs, Esq, Post
Master at This place.
Ii was known tha, Barrett was aulhoris.
ell TO take from the Post Office letter
directed 10 John Edward Thompson. This
he positively refused to do, doubtless be-
cause it nigh, implicale him in some de.
gree. The Post Master was not aulhoris-
cd by law 10 deliver it 10 my one but the
person addressed, or his agents. II was
believed the letter contained important
testimony, or would lead 10 the obtaining
important testimony, on the par, Of The
Slate in his prosecution, and The question
was, how The letter could legally be got
hold Of. The Hon. David Johnson. Ex-
Governor, and for thirty years,a Judge Of
Of the Supreme Cour! Of this StaIe, on
Monday last attended at this place for the
purpose Of aiding our people with his ex-
perience and advice; this he. did, and it
was strictly followed. The Hon. II. H..
Thompson, Chairman of the Committee
of Vigilance and Safety. made oath that
the Post Master was material witness
for The State in This case, aud that the said
a Ietter directed to John Edward Thomp-
son. which letter the depouent had reason
10 believe, and did believe, would furnish
material evidence in the Slate VS.. John
NJ. Barrett. . -.
Upon This affidavit 'Joh1 Lindcr. Esq.
issued bis warrant against Mrsthesg, re-
quiring him to appear before h;n,slo enter
into rccosnizance for his appearance at
Court, ard also lHproduce The letter adj
dessed, john Edward TbompsaH
Mr.. Lcsg was arrested and bIoBghl be-
fore the Magistrate. tIe said iaShis de-
fence tha, he was sworn Officer of the
Government aud had given histBond and
security for the faithful discharge Of his
duty that he was mol authorisedI 10 deliver
The letter to any one but the party or his
agents; that before The next Court Of Ses-
sions he was bound to forward The letter to
the department in Washington That he
was as willing as any one 10 discharge his
duty TO the Slate as good Citizen; thai
with due Difference to the distinguished
authority under which the Magistrate was
acting, he felt himself compelled 10 de-
clue delivering up the letter, or to enter
into recognzance except for his personal
appearance. This defence, though strictly
currect, was not deemed satisfactory by the
Magistrate, who thought that the Post
OIIicc was not Intended 10 eniblo crim>
nails to perfect their schemes t.f crime with
impunily, and that upon q 'easonable
showing, if The Post Office contained The
evidence Of some crime pcrpeIrated, or
about 70 be perpetraled, The Post Master,
like any private individual vas hound
upon The requisiIion of the State authorities
TO produce The evidence.
Mr.. Lesg was therefore committed to
Jail until he shall have given Bond and
Security, for his appearance at Court, and
The production oflhe John Edward Thomp
son letter. BY the advice OF Counsel, and
in order 10 relieve himself from his painful
and disaereeable position, Mr.. Legs final
ly complied with the order Of the Masis-
,rate, and is now under Bond 10 appear
and produce The letter. Mr.. Legg's con
duct in this whole affair was wholly ire.
proachahle and becoming his general char
acter. 1t was firm. temperate and res
pecrful, showing conscientious deIermI-
nation 10 do his duty. according to The best
OF his knowledge aud ability both 10 the
State and the General Government.
Thus has been made The first feasible
issue nj law with the General Government.
The Stale must succeed whilst she retains
her sovereignty. and that before she will
give up that, she will give up all that tram.
mels or inleTferes with it. We commend
tile precedent 10 The Magis,racy of South
Carolina, and hope none of them VIII
refuse 10 act upon it when called upon:
They could hardly have higher or more
reliable authority than The venerable Judge.
Johnson. Self defence is The first law :,l
nature, and that law is part Of the code
of each sovereign Stale in the Union. No
law or regulation of the General Govern
ment can deprive US Of this inaIienable
right, nor will we suffer ourselves to be
che atel, ,rickcd or bullied out OF IL oy any
human power or form of law.