American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-05-27
An Original Court.

When the inhabitants of the countr.
Immediately around Baton Rouge, La.
found themselves oppressed by thu
Spaniards without immediate hope o
relief from the Government of the
United States, they declared themselve:
Independent of Spain, and organized {
Territory which they called Florida
Justice in this community was to be
administered by three Judges, who
we're elected by the people. Fulwal
Skipwith was the Governor Of the new
State.
At the hour agreed upon for the hold
ing of the first Court, Skipwith drove
into Baton Rouge from his residence in
the country in splendid coach and
four, with outriders and lackeys to
match, and on reaching the front OF
the hall of justice found it sur
rounded by multitude of his enthusi-
astic and aroused countrymen, who re-
ceived him with loud huzzas. He de-
scended majestically from his carriage
and strobe slowly and SYSTEMATICALLY
towards the open door of the Court
House, bowling as he moved along, al
ternately to the right and left, with as
much of mingled grace and majesty as
Louis Grand himself eoHla have
brought into requisition. When he
got within the door he saw in the back
part of this most uncourtly edifice
three plain; straw-bottomed chairs,
which had been placed on I. platform
of singularly rude construction, raised
about two feet above the level of the
floor. In the central one of those he
bestowed his person, and awaited si-
lently the coming of his official cofi-
freres. The first of these that appear
ed was Mr.. Thomas. Being singular
ly modest and retiring person, he wait
ed at the door for minute, not know
ing precisely where he was to sit. Up
on observing this, Mr.. Skipwith leaned
forward and beckoned him to advance,
which he did, and presently took the
chair on the right. After an exchange
of the usual salutations, the latter OBJ
served, in bland manner, that he pre-
stunned little could be done by the Court
for the present beyond getting organ
lied and appointing Chief Justice. To
this Mr.. Thomas deferentially assented,
adding, "Of course, Mr.. Skipworth,
you, who have had so much and so va
ried experience, will have to act as our
Chief Justice 'sAs to that said Mr..
Skipwith, I" neither seeking nor declin-
ing such signal honor, shall be con-
tent to conform to the wishes of my re-
spected associates A noise was pres
emily heard outside of the door. The
third judicial magistrate had arrived.
He had walked more than a mile from
his own house to the place of con-
course.
The new conner was dressed out in a
full suit of naval uniform, rather the
worse for wear. His huge head was
surmounted with a cap and feathers, a
good deal soiled, but of a very menac-
ing aspect. A rusty sword hung at his
side. The weather being quite warm,
the perspiration was flowing freely
down his plump cheeks, which he was
hopping with a crimson ban
danna handkerchief. His hand held a
heavy cane, terminating in an iron
spike, with which he raped emphat-
ically upon the resounding plank floor
as he advanced and sat down in the va
cant chair on the platform. As soon as
he had cleverly composed himself there
in, Skipwith made the same suggestion
to which Mr.. Thomas had already re-
sponded SO civilly. Upon this, up rises
this parsonage, whose name have for
gotten, and vociferated in stentorian
voice, "Oh! if that is the question to
be decided, that's easily settled. I'm
Chief Justice of this Court!' To this
Skipwith mildly answered that if he
claimed the position referred to, he
should himself be far from holding con-
,roversy with him on that point. Then
he self-constituted Chief Justice, see
ng the Sheriff in Court, asked him
what prisoners he had in Jail and what
we're their offenses. To this the Sheriff
that there were several men
charged with minor offenses and one
nan accused of murder, but
against whom no Indictment
lad been yet found. ''Bring
1T the fellow charged with murder; I
ss;h to try my hand upon him imme-
ICY. I intend to show all such ruff
i .M hat no man is to be hereafter ;
- . this parish except with the
.s:n"a ,, this Court, first had and OBJ
'''lno a few minutes the Sheriff
eapp, ,no living before him pale,
snou,ant and man, whom long con-
nheneh. ''nu er sufferings had re-
holding this ghaste letO ri,;on upon pp rose os
the Chief Justice agaE Of