New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-10-11

uVOA VI O6lOu Rouge, Suu A0sOAUSAOu =" &C
instantly consummated without the she'd
ding of drop of blood, which revolution
was commenced and brought to an end in
less than five days. The mod,s operandi OF
this affair is reported to have been as
follows: A public meeting was called;
the American settlers assembled at
once in obedience to the call, and new
government, republican in FORM was
forthwith called into existence, constitu-
ton framed, the officers to act under 1t
agreed upon and named in the constitution
itself, and the very next day was desig'
mated as the time when the new government
should be given de tacto character by the
coming together of the three gentlemen
who were to be clothed for the present with
full judicial and executive power at least,
if not legislative also This improvised
constitution, in designating the once cele-
brated Fulwar Skipwith, gentleman OF
great wealth and intelligence, native OF
Virginia, and American consul at Paris, or
some other French city, while Mr.. Jefter-
son was President, as Governor OF the new
republic, had also, by singular conJunc-
ton of executive and Judicial author
lty IN the same person, named MN as
one of the three judges expected to sit
in the high court OF Florida. The precise
jurisdiction of this court was not prescribed
in the constitution, but the three judges
who were to compose it were to have un-
limited judicial power over all persons and
things whatsoever until the new govern
ment could be fully carried into operation.
The very editice in which this court was to
hold its first session was speclted IN the
solemn organic law, and this was log
building of moderate dimensions some
where near the centre OF Baton Rouge. In
this house plank platform was erected,
n.1aira nIaSa0
which the three judges were expected to
take their seats and enter upon the duties
allotted to them l have said that one of
these Judges was Fulwar Skipwith; that he
was u man of wealth and accomplish
ment, and that he had been a United
States consul in France. Those who
wish to know more of this worthy person
age are respectfully referred to Mr.. Jeffer-
sons Life and Correspondence" where he
will be found to occupy most respectable
position. A second OF the judges was, as
have been informed, Mr.. Thomas, plain
and unassumlng farmer of the vicinage, not
at all connected with public affairs previous
to that time. The third judge was an old
sea captain, whose name l have now for
gotten, but who was we'll known to be
man of peculiar pluck and energy, and VINO,
having lived for many years upon the ocean,
where be had become thoroughly convers-
ant with everything connected with marine
discipline. it was hoped would lend great
energy and effectiveness to the new gov
eminent which was now to be put in mo-
ton. About the hour of nine o'clock in the
morning Fulwar Skipwith, dressed in the
richest and most imposing vestments, which
he had brought with him from the renowned
French capital. made his appearance
in the village of Baton Rouge in splendid
coach, drawn by four magnificent horses,
with coachman dressed in full livery and
position to match. He drove up very
grandly at sight of the crowd which the
occasion had naturally drawn together. His
carriage door being opened he descended to
earth and strided with all the pomp of
majesty within the humble tenement where
he was expecting soon to act go impor-
tant point. He advanced to the plat
form and after bowling with an air of
gracious condescension to the staring null
titude took his seat and waited with absO-
lutte quietude tor the coming OF his Official
cOntreres. In few moments the plain
and unassuming farmer justice displayed
his person before the dOrr OF the courthouse,
seeming not to know exactly how to dis
pose Of himself, when Mr.. Skipwith, OBJ
serving his embarrassment beckoned to him
most gracOusly to come forward. pointing
him at the same time to the vacant seat
nearest himself as being the one which he
was expected to occupy. Thus encouraged
he advanced to the platform, and, after cor
daily saiuting his venerated associate.
pumped into the chair which he had been
hidden to honor. So soon as his confusion
had passed away. and he began visbly to
feel quite at home in his dignitied position.
Mr.. Skipwith leaned forward, and, in a soto
coce tone. thus addressed him: Brother
Thomas, l presume we can do little more
Al. 10
nate Chief Justice. Tomorrow we shall
be able to address ourselves to onc duties
as the administrators Of the justice
of the land" After a little hesitation
Judge Thomas spoke ont, quite audibly,
but with the most marked Difference:
"Why, as to that, Mr.. Sklpwith, you will
have, Of course, to be Chief Justice, know
ing, as you must do so we'll, how to perform
the duties of the place." To this suggestion
Mr.. Skipwith responded: Il am decidedly
of opinion, Brother Thomas, that the station
of Chief Justice is one which ought neither
to be sought nor declined. If my worthy
brethren Of the bench call me to this honor,
| shall certainly not refuse it." In few
minutes more the judicial trumvirate was
complete, for the "Old Man of the Sea"
made himself visible in the court yard, clad
in naval uniform, which was now much
the worse for wear, with rusty sword
hanging at his side, and, with an i'm
petuosity which brOoked no delay, rushed
within the portals of this palace Of justice.
and, staring fercely at Skipwith and
Thomas-who he evidently thought had
done him wrong in ascending the platform
before be should have arrived-pushed for
ward at once to the vacant chair and seated
himself therein with an an air and manner
which clearly indicated the conviction that
rested on his mind that he was himself the
very embodiment Of the new government
So soon as the sensation caused by the ar
rival of so august parsonage seemed to
have little subsidized, Mr.. Skipwith turned
to his grim-looking associate and repeated
the words which he had previously uttered
in regard to the chief justiceship and the
order OF proceeding proper to be adopted,
when up jumped this terrible son of Nep-
tune, exclaiming: "Oh. as to the chief JUS
easily settled. am the Chief Justice
of this court, by God,' And this
he is reported to have said, not
without significant glance at the sword
which dangled from his belt. "Ah!~ saws
Skipwith, ''lf you desire to be Chief Justice
be assured that no one here will DISPUTE
your claim to this dignity" Upon which
the new Chief Justice, glancing fierceIy
around the court room where BY this time
a large crowd had collected, called to the
officer in charge of the Jail. wherein several
prisoners had been recently incarcerated,
ard demanded in tones that almost shook
the building, what criminals he had in his
keeping. This officer responded that there
were several what are their otfenses ~
asked the rampant Chief Justice. "Why,"
responded the functionary thus boisterous.
ly Intercepted, there is one fellow in for
larceny. another for murder" Bring cut the
wretch charged with murder immediately"
vociferated the Chief Justice This man
date was obeyed quickly. Meanwhile this
wrath to keep it warm, and preparing, as
the English etfries was won't to do. to cbas-
tise the alleged culprit with the rough