The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1864-06-25
ORIGIN OF LYNCH LAW.

In an essay on the English language in
America, Mr.. Charles A. Bristed says -" II
there was ever = phrase deemed particularly
trans Atlantic in origin, il is that of Lynch
Law. for summary and Informal justice yet
there appear good reasons for doubling its
, Western paternity. Il is usually explained
as having been derived frou the emphatic
practice of Il certain Judge Lynch, who lived
somewhere IN the ''far Vest But no au
! thentic or consistent account of the lunc
tionary exists; no tangible grounds for sup
! posing him to be anything more than a myth
! zeal parsonage, while 4 very probable solu
ton of the phrase presents itself in the
| parent tongue. LinCh, in several Of the
northern county dialects, means to beat or
maltreat. Lynch law tlen would be simply
| equivalent to club law, and the change Of II
letter may be readily accounted for by the
fact that the name of Lynch is as common
| III some parts Of America rs in Ireland
Mr.. Bristcd's theory is very Ingenious,
bnt it Is not correct.
In America, the term 'Lynch Law was
| first used in Piedmont, on the Western from
| tier of Virginia. There WAS no Court within
the district, and all controversies were re-
terrcd to the arhitrancmt of prominent Cit
zcns. Among these was a man by the name
of Lynch, whose decisions were so impartial
that he was known us Judge Lynch, and the
system was called Lynch Law and was
adopted in our pioneer settlements as an
inexpensive and speedy method Of obtaining
justice.
Long after the death of the good old judge,
when he manners and customs had changed,
and wicked mon usurpcd the prerogatiyes of
the courts, and set the laws at defiance,
Lynch Law came to be regarded as
rcproach. The system had, Of course, pass
cd into disuse in Virginia and is only revived
occasionally i'll California or on our western
, borders.
The origin Of the expression, however, is
british, ;nd dates from the early part Of the
fifteenth century.
Prince Puskler Muskau, in his Tour in
England &c., & ives the following account
Of the tragedy from which it derives it, name.
In the fifteenth century James Lynch
was chosen Mayor Of Galway for life. an
Office then nearly equal to that Of sovereign
in power aud influence. His son Edward
became attached to Anna Blake. the daugh.
ter Of his best friend, but found it di.fcu,
to interest lcr. During the courlship, Nh.
Lynch went on a journey to Cadi2, and bro't
back with him the son of u wealthy Spanish
merchant. named Gomez. The Young 90.
nrz married the daughter Of mr. Lynch,
tud became very intimate with his brother
in-law. Edward
The latter, however. suspected that he was
carrying on an intrigue with Anna Blake.
and one night, having concealed himself
behind pillar, he saw Young Gomez, wrap.
ped N mantle, Glide With hurried steps ont
OF a side door in the house of Annals father.
which led Immediately to her apartmcn.-
rs the horrible certainty flashed upon him,
ne dartrd like q tiger upon his rival, aud
,,f,l y, i,,,. ,,,.I
iuivrrng body lie then fled to the woods
On the morrow he was found, and confessed
his guilt.
II;s father condemned him to dnath. Tie
people intcrfnrtd and demanded his release
even the sol ii"rs went over to the mob and
cried aloud io9 his pardon. The prison was
about to be st0rmrd when James Lynch
appeared at an upper window, his son stand
ine by his side with halter round his neck
II have sworn, = said the inhcxible magis-
tratc, that the murderer should die, even
though must perform the Office Of cxcau-
TONER myself Providence has taken me at
my word; and you, madmrn, learn from the
most wretchea OF fathers that nothing mus;
stop the course of justice, and that even the
Tics of nature must break hc.1rc it
As he said these words he pushed his son
ont Of The window and completed the dread
fiji work. Nor did he leave the spot till The
ias' CONCLUSIVE struggle gave certainty Of 'he
uc ta o. us "''hAlPS ''G,''n: ;.
ne mayor resigned IN ms o'Sn,''oS' an"
never 'rl' MS mouse e., nnIi' caftl'd rom IL "a
.he grave Ann" hlaNe Is sal" 70 nave que"
III convent N!'" 1he r0hnof goes that h"lh
'aH!!'es 1'Sanp"3ie' from 'h' raTh' b"I
| SN"ii IN" cross bones sculpture" over INC
door OF an ancient mouse IN galway SIM
in III me {, site OF th'S itaflnl Tragedy
me ln'i9W!h@ 'Hcts are tahch lrom the
iitT'oI'e'ti .pitettiJHs u ,ns'"'a ny ilc''
~ love- pnpl!SheI III lS'9: = c,,
N"!ohSl 'hail'" Lyhc', brother OF tHe
IN thn Stonnton in ,h. sn,,hv-nst ,,rt ~,
Camnh.ll county. now the sent Of Ills ,Irond.
,nm ChnrlcS / ,nrh E.n Al tLat ' ina tho
rn,,tr was ,.I.v tl;niy r.ttl,1 and ;nf, tod