The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-07-03
AFFAIRS IN OREGON.
WASHINGTON, July |, 1856.

NAsiHHdIoSi July
Edi.or Washington Union:
SIN: An extract from the "0regon Weekly Times"
published in the New York Herald of June 81 1t con-
tnns the following paragraphs and refers to affairs in
Washington Territory and the declaration of martial
law and arrest Of Chief Justice Lander by Gov Stevens
lst Governor Stevens declared martial law in Pierce
county because II his duty, and the law and the evil
dence justified him in so doing he would have failed in
his duty il he had not.
o. Judge Lander knew Of tho existence of martial law
nj the time he commenced holding that il
trary to law to attempt it, and he must have known It,
3D. lie was prisoner at the time he attempted 10 hold
court Olympia and cited Gov. Stevens to appear before
him and release the prisoners This is contrary TO law and
public policy in time of war; when martial law exists.
tth To meet this state Of things, Governor Stevens de-
carcd martial law at Olympia, and again captured Lam
der sent him to Fort Montgomery for safekeeping until
he fogs the hostile Indians and restores peace to the Ter
ritory.
6 Judge Lander after being arrested by the
orders issues writ for the arrest aud imprisonment Of
Gov. Stevens; but ,lts marshal could get help
him. and the fircs ended We think the Judge mix
ing up matters rather too 2eyhis civil law and his mill
tnry law were badly mixed together.
enclose you the original article from which this ex-
tract taken, and beg you to observe that the writer
who has constituted himself judge Of both the law and the
facts in this case does fail state that the associate
judges and the entire bar Of Washington Territory with
ercepton) concur In the opinion Of Judge Lander
aud sustain him in the he has adopted The ex-
ccption gentleman named Monroe once associate JUS
tce OF Washington Territory but recently removed by the
President
will also request Jon TO take notice that prior to the
declaration Of martial law, Judge Lander was performing
the duty Of volunteer soldier for in The words Of the
article t COL Lander fresh from the field Of fighting In
dams lay down the sword and again assumed the Judicial
robes and summoned Gov Stevens to appear before him
and give Of bis conduct for holding these men
in custody"
II my belief that both Of these gentlemen are entitled
the verdict OF their counymen and TO the Judgment Of
the constituted authorities and that that judgment should
not he anticipated by newspaper articles stating only
side Of the question.
II Gov Stevens believed II his duty to declare martial
law, Il may he that Judge lander did In
the opinion OF Gov. Stevens II the civil governor had
constituted himself military commandant the chief jus
oe had surrendered his high Office in becoming
tho citizen soldier ny his oath to support the Consu-
ton he, too, had duty TO perform.
II he returned 70 find lin his belief the dearest prerogn-
tive Of the American ctzenthc constitutional rights Of
the hdbeas corpus and Of the trial by juryinyaded he
would have been unworthy Of the Of judge had he
failed Of the strict observance OF the very letter Of The
But he did not fall.
lie interposed the bulwars Of the constitution between
the humble adopted citzenhe bated Hudsonbay Catho.
lie married 10 sgaa-and the military Dictatorship
which might only represent the mad impulses off hostile
vigilance committee smarng under tho sense Of outrage
borne.
The editor Of the territorial newspaper terms this act Of
Judge Landers farce In the important New York Herald
Il reaches the outer world farce Judge Lander now
remains shut up In Fort Montgomery farce But the
worst farce in the premises b that American citizen
should bc thus shut out from hearing before the Amcr
can people
lie has been grossly assaed, even when under arrest
for only doing what he conceived 10 be his duty.
He graduated al Harvard University and with honor n,
the Cambridge law school, then under Judge Story liz
has been distinguished through life for proby calmness
and that sort Of educated discretion which avoids all noto
riety. "N#
But in the present instance he could find no oopboe
escape from collision with Gov Stevens
Congress alone has power suspend the writ Of habcd,
corpus and Congress had suspended IL II 10 not al
the option bnt absolutely obligatory the justice TO To-
sue t on application Of any party held in doubtful impris
onmen he would have been liable 70 impeachment had
be failed Of doing So
Judge Lander is my brother have fun faith In his
honor bis integrity and high legal knowledge believe
him 10 be actuaed by the rues instincts Of the Christian
and the man.
It's one Of the privileges o. my life to represent him al
this momentto take all responsibilities which this paper
may infer and 70 ask suspension Of public opinion until
he can he heard from.
Mar request the publication Of this letter or such a
eynops Of the facts presented may place the matter IN
clearer point Of view a1 b.
Very respectfully, your obedicnt servant
e,a. r, W. LANDER