New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-01
A HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE.
AnE1 DGrn FROM THE MEMOIRS OF DIR. MARTIN


Mr.. Justice IIarbotte, one of the Judges Of the
Court of Common Pleas, was, at the time OF his
death, in l74S, a man of some slAty-seven years
lie had great mulberry -cOl0red face, big, car,
bunclcd nose. fierce eyes, and grim and brutal
mouth. 1t was most formidable face foT there
evidences OF Intellectual power in the lorna
ton and lines of the forehead. His voice was
loud and harsh and gave effect 10 the sarcasm
which was his habitual weapon on the bench.
This old gentleman had the reputation OF beng
about the wickedest man in England. lie had
carried cases his own way, II was sald IN spite OF
counsel, authorities, and even OF Jdries, by sort
Of cajolery violence, and bambooZllng that some
how confused and overpowered resistance He
had never actually committed himself; he was
too cunning to do that. He had the character OF
beng, however, dangerous and interruptions
Judge.
One night during the session of 1746. this old
Judge, returning from the House of Lords ~ his
house close by, sent his chair home empty, and
with two fOotmen, each with hambeau, set out
on foot in preference. In one OF those marrow
streets of tall houses, perfectly silent at that hour,
he overlook very singuar-oOking old gent eman.
lie had a bOttie-gTeen coat on, with cape TO it,
crowned hat from under which a big powdered
WIG escaped he stopped very much, and support
cd his bending knees with the aid of crutch-
handled cane, and so shutfcd and tottered along
painfully.
u asl, your pardon. sir" said this old man. in
very qnavering voice, as the bury Judge came
up with him.
The judge stopped short, and said, in his harsh,
peremptOry tones, We'll, sir, how can | serve
YOU ?"
Can YOU direct me TO Judge Harbottle's house?
] have some intelligence of the very last inpor-
tance TO communicate 10 him.
If that be so, sir, you have only to accompany
me few steps further to reach my house and
obtain a private audience, for l am Judge Hair
bottle"
With this invitation the infrm gentleman in
the white wig compiled very readily and in
another minute the stranger stood in what
then termed the front paror of the judges house.
With closed doors they remained together for
time.
The footman who showed the aged gentleman
Olc rx-a1 hat fha ind lQr col rel
face, pimpleS and all. was Dleached to dinsy
yellow and there the abstraction of agAatct
thought in his manner as he babe the stranger
goodnight.
The halldoor had hardly closed when the judge
commanded the fOOtman TO overtake the ola gentle
man in the white wig, to offer him his protection
on his way home and in no case to Snow his face
again without having asceralned where he
lodged, and who he was, and all about him
by God, siTahi If ,y1n fail me in this you
The old man had Just told the judge a very
strange story. He might be himself conspirator
he might possibly be crazed or possibly his whole
story was straight and true.
There is, perhaps you are not aware my loId!,
he had begun, "a prisoner in S si vs. Jan,
for hundred and twenty pounds. and his name
is Lewis Pyneweck, grocer of that town IL has
to my % %y he oe Of
which is to take cognizance of the conduct OF the
judges in his case and, first; Of your conduct.
inv lord IL is a wicked conspiracy.
81 know not single name as yet: know but
the fact. my lord. 1t is most certainty true:
I'll have YOU before the Privy Council Sir
coy That hat Is What most desire; but not for
Gay or two. my lord"
a. have not as vet single name, as tod
YOUR lorlship, but | expect to have llst Vi Ine
most forward men in it, and some other papers s
connected with tie plot. in two or three oaSs
is this a Jacobite plot ID,
In the main, think it is my lord" ..,.s 49,
"Whv then, is it political? L have trlen no
state prisonerT nor am like to try any such How
then doth il concern me - -, .,o., oro
From what can gather. my lord unere arr are
those in it who desire private reYenses upon GER
''' what hat 10 they call their cabal ?"
c o high % yo S 9pP%S?h a my G yoar name 9
"IIugh Peters, my lord"
That should be a Wing name?"
"Wb her, do You lodge. Mr.. Peters9"
In Ihames-,st., my. lord, over against the sign
many for YOU, Mr.. Peters! How came you, an
honest Wing you say, TO be privy to JacObite
nlot ? Answer me that
NV. lord a person in whom take an inter
est has been seduced 10 take part IN II, ana DC,
ing frightened at the unexpected wicledness Of
their plans he's resolved TO become an intormer
lie resolves like a wise man. sir. What does
nc say of the persons? VINO are IN thc piot
Doth he know them ,? ~
ONLY two, my lord but he will be introduced
a list and more exact information or their plans,
and above all of their oaths; and their hours and
places. of meetings, with which ne wishes 20 De
Of his intentions. And being so informed 10
whom. think YOU, my lord, had he best go then ?"
ITO the kings attorney genera! straight. But
You say this concerns me, sir. in particular? How
about This prisoner. Lewis Pyneweck? Is he one
OF them"
81 can't tell, my lord but for some reason it
is thought YOUR lordship will be well advised if
You try him not. For if you do, it is feared
twill shorten your days"
80 far as i can learn, Mr.. Peters, this busi-
ness smells pretty strong of hloo! and treason.
Tie kings attorney wall know how to deal
with il. When shall | see YOU again, sir ,?
If YOU give me leave, my lord, either before
your lordships court sits, or after it rises. to-
morrow ! should like, to come and tell your
lordship what has passed. ,.,.,
Do So Mr.. Peters, at o o'clock tomorrow
morning. And see you play me no trick, sir IN
this matter: if you do, by God, sir, I'll lay you
by the heels"
"You need fear no trick from me, my lord;
had not wished TO serve YOU and acquit my own
conscience, never would have come all this way
10 talk with your lOrdship.
Pm willing TO believe you, Mr.. Peters; I'm
willing IL believe you. sir.
And upon this they parted.
lie has either painted his face, or he is con-
sumedly sick" thought the Judge.
The light had shone more efectuay upon the
strangers features he turned to leave the
y% ncod low 6Ew a1g fHey looked the judge
The footman dispatched in pursuit of Mr. Peters
speedily overlook that feeble gentleman. The old
man gratefuily accepted the pfonefed assistance
for support They had not gone far, however
when lie old man stopped suddenly, saying:
Dear me. as | live, j have dropped it. You
heard it fall Ny eyes, ] fear won't serve
me? and | am unable 10 stoop low enough; but
i you will look, you shall have half the find.
II is a guinea; | carried it in my glove"
The street was silent and deserted The foot
man had hardly descended 70 what he termed his
"hunkers7 and begun 10 search the pavement,
when Mr.. Peters struck him violent blow over
the back OF the head with heavy instrument.
and leaving him bleeding and senseless in the
gutter. ran like a lamp-ighter down lane 10
the right and was gone When, an hour later
the Waterman brought TIE man in livery home
still stupid and covered with blood, Judge Har-