Washington telegraph., 1850-05-15
LETTER FROM JUDGE QUnLIN.

he ] Elk FROM JUDGE QUlLLIN.
Judge Quillin addressed the people here on the
first day Of our circuit court in explanation of his
co arse in Montgomery county, denying in toto the
version placed upon his remarks to the regulators
| by correspondent of The Democrat. We publish
below his letter in relation to the affair, which w..
copy from the EIdorado Union.
! The democrat and Gazette" of the 18th inst
contains article well calculated to reflect CEN
sure upon my Conduct in relation to AN occurrence
which transpired in Montgomery county, during
the session of the last circuit court. in that county
II is true, as stated in the article alluded To-
that considerable company OF the citizens of that
county, numbering hundred and twenty or
more--banded themselves together for the purpose
OF freeing the county of rogues and
as they say; and on Monday evening, during the
sitting OF the court, most serious rencontre took
place between two of the suspected persons, and
some OF the company, in which some ten or fifteen
guns were fired and Two men wounded-one
slightly, the other dangerously. Upon the hear
ing OF which, promptly directed the sheriff to
arrest the offenders, and bring them before the
court. After making Intellectual effort, he
came into court and told me it impossible to
do 50. then ordered him to summon the posse
and though he manifested commendable zeal,
yet he was unable to command the slightest re-
spect Every one was swept on by the current
OF excitement, and needed not the authorities OF
the law My authority thus poweress, 1 was
under the necessity of adjOurning court for the
evening--not FROM choice, but uccessit y--nnt will
lingIy. but reluctantly. The next morning 1 was
informed by the sheriff, the foreman of the grand
Jury, and others, that the excitement was SO in
tense and the danger Of another outbreak i'm
minent, that it was impossible to prosecute the
business of the court Jurors, witnesses, and it
giants. were all swept away before the general
| lct nd | WA hniiv uahl to
the b,siness OF the court. / therefore urged
to sdpurn the court l however was unwilling 10
do SO; and determined would go down, and make
a shot d dress those known as the regulators,
with the view of aaying the excitement, and pre-
venting the further etfu SION of blood, and not,
intimaed, for the purpose OF giving countendnce
or encouragement 10 those who had arro.ated TO
themselves the right and power Of detecting and
of punshng otfenders--an assumption OF power
in open conflict with the plain dictates oi reason,
of law, and the great principles of natm al right.
/ encouraged Them to look to and aid the laws.
in arresthg the bold arrogance of lawless offenders,
who abroad in their county, reveiling in
crime. II they would dsband, and come to the
aid of the constituted authorities Of the country,
crime woud be driven back, I'D whipped of JUS
tice, and dare not exhibit its bideous deiormty in
their midst. did not it is true, indulge In harsh
and insulting language. Ii had done 50, 1t most
unquestionahly would have defeated the very OBJ
ject had in contemplation, excited their passions,
and drawn them to deeds of violence aud blood
sned. Where the grievances OF community are
great, AID the excitement universal, conci!iation
is preferable TO harshness--mildness will, at ali
times Iull the OF passion. Ny object was TO
calm the excitement, restore peace and order, In
which fortunately succeeded The regulators,
as they termed, anded-quiet was restored,
ami the business of the court resumed, and con-
Quoted without the slightest disturbance, during
the balance OF the time.
| have briefly given Of the causes which
influenced my actions that occasion, and the
effect produced 1t is apparent to all, and ii would
be almost impossible for TO give the very lam
guage, any thing near it, employed by me in
my etfort to luli the excitement and prevent the
spilling of human blood, Will. am unable to
peat all did say, am prepared to say that many
things attributed to me by the informant of the
Democrat and Gazette, which | did not say, and
in all tbngs it is gdrbled and perverted, and OBJ
vously designed nlsead the public mind The
part took, was at the time, appreciated by all who
were present, then believed 1t did produce
order and quiet, aud enabled me to discharge my
public duties If on that occasion any
whipped, hung or killed. am yet to earn--Tayor
Polk, who was wounded--was by my order to the
sheriff, guarded from further violence, and furn-
ished with medical aid, at least directed 1t to be
done, and understood it was done. The int.mation
that took ground with the regulators is an after
thought, regarded it at the time, at least
gave utterance to such sentiment. j
deeply regretted the occurrence, and took the only
prudent course to overcome the excited PASSIONS
of the multitude; any other line of policy must
either have resulted IN d total failure, the loss
of human life.
Those who have witnessed such scenes can well
imagine the difficulties by which was surrounded
and do me jIstce which is all | ASH.
JOHN QUILLIN.