The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1849-02-02
The Alabama Justice.

The Alabama Justice.
The following clever story is told by cor
respondent OF the N Y Spirit of the Times, il
the last number of that journal:
"When the Creek Indians inhabited Al
ALBANIA, there were several magistrates appoint
ed who had extensive jurisdiction. Their pow
er and the extent of territory over which i
spread, made these magistrates in power, equa
to n territorial governor One Of these magis
trates was well known "character," who re-
sided in "Turkey Town." an Indian village OF
the Coosa river. lie had a "marshal" who was
known in his tribe as "Moneycries." This
magistrate was remarkable for his contempt Of
| legal opinions and judicial forms. "E-quty,"
was his hobby, and when his notions came in
contact with 'law,' the latter was forced &c
give way. He thought the custom of the In
dams more 'E-quitable' in many cases than
the law of Congress, and he never failed in
such cases to set aside the latter money
cries. co-operated heartily with ''the court''-
aud by their combined efforts they managed to
deal out justice with certainty, but sometimes
with real Indian sc verify.
The following scene once occurred Sin
court.n
Magistrate--This court is held to try n case
in which "Little Chubby" is defendant, and
Tom Dale, grocery keeper, is plaintiff. Dale
claims $50 from "Little Clubby,"-and 'Chub.
by says he paid it SIN beaver skins" Seen
tlemen,' continued the magistrate, addressing
the bystanders, "lngins amt Iikelyto lie when
they owe white men. But white men will lie
when they trade with the lngins. This is the
experience Of my court. Proceed, gentlemen,
with this case.'
The Attorney for Tom Dale proceeded to
make out his case. Dale swore that his debt
was ''just, true and unpaid" lie then intro.
duced witness to prove that "Lttle Chubby
had only caught ten beavers in the last month,
and that he had sold them to the deponeEi.
The Indian had no witness, and the case was
fully made out ~
The attorney rema i'm ,
COZ efence
80 ~ .thc
court can't regarnty?
"Gentlemen," sdi6,abl )IV fin't
satisfied: and amt g6uth har.P' scagn
to be swinGled" said he, auac sec Money
cries. "Mr. Marshal, hand me that book; III
take swar in the case myself" and suiting
the action TO the word, he kissed the book, adj
dressing Moneycries, remarked, ''Mr. Marshal,
| constitute you this court, and will take n
swar in this case INLAY it please the court
said he, there's cheatin around this board, pnd
intend to expose it TO this court. I'D rather
take an Ingin's word than a whskey sellers
oath any time. But this court can't decide in
favor of the Ingin, without a swar in his be-
hali-and that swur (kissing the book) am
now, Mr.. Marshal, going to take"
lie then proceeded to state that 'Little Club
by" had come to his house and he had offered
to buy from him ten beaver skins. Chubby
declined selling them, as he had promised them
to Mr.. Dale to pay debt of $40 due him. He
saw Chubby go into Mr.. Dale's, and leave the
skins, and when he cane out Chubby told him
he had paid his debt. When he had concluded,
he resumed his seat.
Dale's attorney protested against this stalking
a swar in the case" but he was interrupted by
the magistrate, who informed him tina; this
was his mode of dispensing equity.
Attorney-"May it please the court, | will
take an appeal in this case"
Nagistrate-sThe conrt is satisfied that the
evidence is in favor OF Little Chubby and no ap
peal will be allowed"
Attorney-"May it please the court, con-
slider the proceedings id farcem
Magistrate-"Thcc court considers this case
of contempt, and will fine NJ. $50 for swaring
in court"
Attorncy-"Your court may go to the devil
If your honor please"
marshall will take Mn in
10 custody till he pays $40; and unlessho pays
il, the marshall will summons a poae Of lngins
and tie him up, and thereupon infict on him
twenty stripes according to lngin custom, and
hen inform him that j, will improve his health
10 get out Of the reach Of my court in twenty
four hours"
AtiOrncy-May it please, the court, will
give my note for the fine--if the court will a.
gree to IT," go -w
Msgistrate-"The court won't be hard pro- |
Tided the character OF this court is hereafter
respected"
This, Mr.. EditOr,is a slightly eolored sketch
If the early history Of the administration Of
ustiee in the Creek country in Alabama.
SArcHELI