Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1849-02-16
An Alabama Justice.

/ HeH uHc CTeek Indians inhabited Ala
oama, there were several magistrates an
pointed who had extensive iurisdiction.-
Their power, and the extent of territory ov-
er which it spread; made these MAGISTRATES.
IN power, equal TO territorial governor
Ohe OF 1hese magistrates was a well known
character who resided in Turkey Town
an INDIAN village on the Coosa river Ha
had marshall who was known in his
tribe as 'Moncy-cries.' This magistrate
was remarkable for his contempt If leraI
opinions, and judicial forms. EQUITY was
his hobby; and when his notions of RIGHT
anu justice came in contact with law the
latter was forced 10 give way. He thought
the customs OF the Indians more 'E.ouitable'
In many cases than the law of Congress-
and he never failed in such cases to So,
aside the latter. Money -cres' co.operated
heartily with the court'-and by their com.
bined efforts they managed to deal out Jus.
tlce with certainty, but sometimes with real
Indian severity.
ne ioilowlng scene occurred sin COURT
Magstrate-Tnis court is held to trv a
case IN which Little Chubby Creek In.
dian' is defendant, and Tom Dale, a grocery
Keeper, is plaintiff. Dale claims $50 from
Little Chubby and Chubby saws he paid
1t III beaver skins 'Gentlemen,' contin-
ued The magistrate, addressing the bystand.
ers, 'lngIns amt likely to lie when they owe
white men. But white men will lie when
they trade with the Ingn. This is the ex-
perence of my court Proceed. GENTLE.
men, with this case
The attorney for Tom Dale proceeded TO
make out his case. Dale swore that his
debt was Just, true, and unpaid He then
introduced witness to prove that Little
Chubby hac only caught ten beavers in
the last month, and that he had sold then,
to the deponent. The Indian had no wit.
nesses, and the case was fully made out.
The attorney remarked, addressing the
COURT
May II please your honor, claim iudo-
ment for my client. There is no defence
except the averment of Chubby and this
the court can't regard
Gentle -men.' said our magistrate. Il ain't
satisfied and amt going TO allow the In
gin To be swindled,' said he, addressing
Money-crles. Mr.. Marshal hand me that
book; III sware in the case myself" and
sutlng the action to the word, he kissed the
book, and addressing Money.cries, remark.
ed: Mr.. Marshal, | constitute you this court
and Will take swar i'll this case. Nav it
please the court there's cheatin' around this
board, and | intend to expose it 10 this
court. I'd rather take an Ingin's word, than
awhISkey sellers oath, any time. But this
court can't decide in favor of the Ingin,
without swar in his behalf-and that swar
kissing the book | am now Mr.. Marshal.
going TO take
lie then proceeded TO state that little
Chubby had come TO his house and he of.
Tered to buy from him ten beaver SKINS
Chubby declined selling as he had promised
them to Mr.. Dale TO pay debt of twenty
dollars due him. He saw Chubby 90 into
Dale's and leave the skins, and when he
came out Chubby told him he had paid his
debt. When he had concluded he resumed
his seat
Dale's attorney protested against this ia
king "A swar in the cases but he was in
terrupted by the magistrate, who informed
him that it was his mode of dispensing
equity.
Auorney-'May it please the court, will
take an appeal in this case
Maglstrate-'The court is satisfied that
the evidence is in favor of Little Chubby
and no appeal will be allowed
Attorney-'May it please the court, con-
slider this proceeding ID farce
Maglstrate-'The court considers this
case of contempt, and will fine Nh $40
for swarrlng in court
Attorney-'Your court may go to the ID
if your honor please
MECHANICALLY marshal will take Mr.
Mn into custody, till he pays $50; and
unless he pays it, the marshal will summon
a posse oflngns, and tie him up, and there
upon inf1ict on hun twenty stripes according
TO lngin custom, and then inform him that
it will improve his health to get out of the
reach of,my court in twenty-iouI hours
Attorney-'May it please the court, will
give my note for the fine-if the court will
agree TO it,
Magistratc-'The court won't be hard,
provided the character of this court is here
after respected
This, Mr.. Editor, is slightly colored
sketch OF the early history of the admins
traton of justice in the Greek country in
Alabama. SATcHEL.
VIRGINIA ELooUENcE.-In the Virginia |
House of Deleuates Mr. Morse recently |