Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-07-06

From the old diary Of the distinguished Andrew
Elliott his grandson, j. {. G. Kennedy, ESD, OF this
city. has copied the subjoined extracts, giving an ac-
conn, of Capt. Lynch, of Virginia, who appears to
have been the man who introduced and gave Il name
TO that "wild Justice which is known III our country
as 'Lynch lar"
the lybch laws so we'll known and 30 frequently car
ried into effect some years ago IN tho United States.
in violation of every principle of justice and Jurlspru-
dence. Mr.. Lynch resided IN Pitt'yiva"ia' III inc
State of Virginia, when he commenced legislator and
carried his system into effect. The detail l had from
himself, and is nearly ns follows:
"The Lynch-Inen associated for the purpose OF pun
ishjnr crimes in q summary way, without the tedious
onI technical forms of our courts of Justice. Upon
""nnln;nt heinz made TO any member of the associn-
ton of II crime being committed within the vicinity
of their jurisdiction, the person complained OF was
Immediately pursued and taken, II possible. Ii ap.
pretended, he was carried before some hieinber Oh
not satisfactory. he was whipped TIL they were so.
Those cxtorted answers generally involved DINERS IN
the supposcd crime, who III their turn were punished
in like manuer. These punishmeu's were sometimes
severe, and not unfrequently inflicted upon The lnno'
cent through spite, or in consequence OF answers ex-
torted under the smurting of the WHIP. 10 iiterrogato-
ries put by the members OF the association. MI. Lynch
informed me that he had never in any case given a
vote for the punishment Of death; some, however, he
acknowledged, had beeu actually hanged, though not
in the common way; a horse, i'll part, became the ex-
ecationer. The manner was this, the person who II
was supposed ought to suffer death, was placed on a
horse, with his hands tied behind him anu a rope
about his neck, which was fastened TO the limb of a
tree over his head. In this situation the person was
left, and when the horse, i'll pursuit OF 1000 or any
other cause. moved from his position, the unfortunate
person YVES left suspended by the neck. Ihis was
called aiding the civil authority. 1t seems almost IN
credible that such proceedings should be had in q
civilized country, governed by unknown laws; 1t may
nevertheless be relied on. l should not have assert
ed it as a fact, had it not been related to me by Mr..
Lynch himself, and n~eighbor,. Mr.. Lay, one OF the
original association, together with several other Lynch
men, as they are called. This self.created tribunal
was first organized in the State OF Virginia about the
wear I776, from whence it extended Southwark, as be.
fore observed.
"Mr Lynch has the appearance Of an ancient ath:
lete, and had he lived in the times OF the Olympic
games. would probably have figured ION the bloody
arena" He possesses sss sa, a strong ,s but ,n s sairsmei te ~ %,Rd
NAV be- added a Great stickler for equality and The
rights of man as established by law! SO contradlc'
tory are the ideas and conduct Of the only creatures
supposed 10 be endowed with reason and judgment
in the universe" -lNa.ioaGl lateHigsnce~.