Washington telegraph., 1854-07-19
U. s. Circuit Court.

Yesterday afternoon, Gen. Jno. A. Quitman
MI J. ). Ihrasher. and DR.. A. L. Saunders an
peared before G. w. Gurley U. S. Commissioner.
and entered into recognizance pursuant to the or
der of Judge Campbell of the q. s. Circuit Court
The condition of the bonds was Ito observe the
laws OF the United States in general, and especi-
ally an act in addition to the act for the punish
ment of certain crimes against the United States,
and to repeal the acts therein Lamed approved
April 20. 1878, commonly called the Neutrality
law, for the term of nine months from the st of
July, inst. The penalty of the bond is $1,000
with two sureties Of 81 500 each
The suretles on the bond of Gen. Quitman
were Robt. Estlin and Gen Miles: on the bond
of Mr.. Thrasher, Emile LaSere, and s. R. Walker
Esqs., on the bond OF DR.. Saunders, s. F. Slater
and
The parties made and signed protest against
the right to exact these bonds from them, and al
leging that they signed under duressu Mr..
Ihrasher and Gen. Quitman made seperate pro-
tests, and DR.. Saunders concurred with that of
Gen. Quitman. We give them below. The
Commissioners declined receiving them officially,
and they were accordingly verified by the sigma
ture of witnesses:
Protest of Mr.. John s. Tnrasae,1
L. John s. Thrasher, citizen of New Orleans,
now IN duress under mitt.mus issued by the
Hon. John A. Campbell, Judge OF the Circuit
Court of the United States for the Eastern Dis
trlct OF Louisiana, for the purpose of compelling
me against my free will and consent to enter in
to recognlZance to observe the laws of the Uni
ted States IN general and especially IAN act in ad-
dlton to the act for the punishment of certain
crimes against the United States, and to repeal
the acts therein named, approved April 20, 1S1S,"
being now aboutto enter the recogniZance demand
ed by His Honor the Judge of the Circuit Court
do hereby most solemnly protest; That commit
this act against my own free will under the pres
sure OF imprisonment under the order of said
Judge, which order I hold to have been issued
through an arbitrary, Illegal and unconstitutional
stretch OF judicial power in open violation of the
rights OF the citizen and stipulations of the const-
tuition of the United States of America; and again
protest against this act, which I am forced to do
in order to obtain my freedom. reserving TO my
self all my full and complete ghts to proceed
against the parties concerned, together or several
ly, in this my Illegal deprivation of personal lib
erty, in such time place, or manner as may be
granted me by law, and requisite for me to OBJ
tain justice.
Presented in New Orleans on the Sd day of Ju-
ly. 1854, and read before J. w. Gurley, Clerk of
the Court, in the presence of the undersigned wit
nesses Witness my hand:
]. S. THRASHER.
Read in presence of Chas. t. Estlin, L. J. Sc
CUR.
Protest of Gen. Quit,nan.)
In the names of the witnesses whose names are
uereuntO SlSneU, Ine lOliOWlnS declaration and
protest was made before John w Gurley, Clerk.
previously to signing the bond required by Judge
Campbell:
| regard the order of Judge Campbell, one of
the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United
States, requiring me to give bonds and security
that | will, for the space of nine months observe
the laws of the United States in General and es-
pecially the called neutrality act OF 1918, as an
unconstitutional illegal and arbitrary exercise of
power. | refused voluntary obedience to it, be-
cause viewed it my duty not to yield upon
mere demand my sacred rig hts as an American
citizen. | am now, by the order of the same
Judge close prisoner in the hands of the Mar
shall yield to this illegal demand only because
| have no appeal from power which, practical
ly, is absolute and irresponsible. Under duress of
Imprisonment. and with solemn protest against
the assumption of power claimed by the aforesaid
Judge IN this case, | am compelled to sign this
bond or recognizance. J. A. QUTTMAN.
The within was read before the Commissioner
by. Gen. ]. A. Quitman previous to the signing of
the bond in the presence of the undersigned:
JOHN S. HoLr Jr, w. r. MILES
ALEXANDER WALKER, r. W. EsTLIN.
N. o. Pic