The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1864-04-13
A Letter from Chief Justice Pearson.

from Judge Pearson, .writien to avowed seces-
sionist and cordial supporter of the administration.
and in reply TO some incidental allusion by this gen.
tIeman in his letter 70 the public slander Of his good
name and assuring him that while differing with him
on many legal questions decided by him. he believed
the Judge had so decided from pure and conscien-
tious though mistaken judgment; and that he had
invariably resented these aspersions whenever his re-
buke might have been understood or needed
Richmond Hill, March fsd, 1864.
Ny DEAR Sir :-'i'he petition OF -
was received last week-he was not ar
rested as conscript but as an officer, and
there being no averment that his resigua-
ton (although rendered, had been accept
cd, did not think it came under the case
of Bradshaw. You wrote you did not de-
sire the writ unlessI was of.opinion il came
under that case, so put il in the bundle of
apetitions rejected In the case of --
my opinion was that his having put IN
substitute in the Confederate service, cid
not exempt him from home guard duty. so
il wa. put in the bundle Of !" rejected ca
ses." III reckon some Of your :. military
friends" will be surprised 10 learn have
such a bundle.) The sd section Of the
act suspending the privileges of'the writ Of
ha5eas corpus, in nv opinion, undoubtedly
contempIates that writs are 10 issue as be-
fore, and provides, as some protection TO
the citizen, that the officers shall make
certificate under oath. that the party is de-
tianed as prisoner by order Of the Presi-
dent or Secretary of War for one Of the
causes specified; so il is still the duty OF
the Judge TO grant the writ. and let the
natter proceed. at least to this stage, and
il will be for the officer TO decide whether
he can take the oath. You will see nv
reasons in full in an opinion in Roseman's
case, sent 10 the Progress last week. Col.
MalIett's Enrolling Officers, 10 writs issu-
ed on the petition Of men who had put m
substitutes. certify under oath +" the party
is detained as prisoner BY order Of the
Secretary Of War for attempting TO eyade
military service" Upon these | entered
othe certificate is so general as not 20 pre-
sent the question whether Congress has
power 10 suspend the privilege Of the rT't
IN ctvI cases, or whether u was the lnten-
tiou 10 do 80. I can take 70 farther action:
the matter awaits such NOTICE a. the petit
TONER mar be advised by his counsel" so
the cases stand. and presume nothing
more will be done until the Court decides
Walton's case.
Your contradiction Of any imputation
upon the motives under which have acted,
in all Of the questions which have been
called on 20 decide, is no more than er-
pec,sd Of 700 stiIl il 10 gratifying 10 know
that have some friends who are 70 be re-
lied on. Perhaps. in the consciou-ness OIL
NV swn singieness Of purpose, and the
hold which L know / have on the good
opiniop Of the members OF the profession
and the people al large, / regard 100 little
the asoersions Of those who 90 not tske the
trouble 10 think for themselves, but are
content 10 Be the repsnters Of newspaper
abuse. All Task Of such men. as penanee
for The injustice they have done me, = 70
read nv opinion in Ua!ton's case, and IN
Roseman,s case. They NAV not agree
with me. bot .aey will feel satisfied that
have acted frotL the ciearesi convictions Of
duty. 7 have 90 much a. stake as any OF
,bem. and God knows ] love our country
a. we'll. So. when newspaper resorts 10
abuse, Il only shows ny reasons canno1 be
answered.
Ia regard to nv opinion in holtcs corpus
cases, ysa msy say 70 yeur friends, that
nearDy III sf Ire principles were decided
b, me sn ,l.s construction Of the conscrip.
lion ard ,semptiOn ae,s tgore last June
Tern, and every oEo Of my decistoEs were
afirned ~ Inc SapFene Cosrt. fnosc
an lie late sets Of Congress will Be before
The cogrs aryt June. and will. Of course.
be governed blythe decisions Of the Court.
20 90 little from home as 70 have ost lew
occasions to express ny political opinions.
Twill say 70 you. and you are at liberty