The New Hampshire Gazette

Extract of a letter to the Editor of the Aurora, dated
LANCAsTER, January 25, 1804,
" The importance of the subject induces me not to delay for an official account of the facts, which I am about to state, But to give you the information which follows, premising that I have only heard the following resolution read, and relate from memory.
" You recollect that at the last session Mr. Thomas Pasmore, of your city, petitioned the legislature on the subject of an illegal and arbitrary assumption of power by judges Shippen, Yates & Smith, of the supreme court, in sentencing him to imprisonment for an alleged contempt of court, and praying that the said judges might be impeached. No particular decision having been had at the last session, the business was brought before the present house of assembly, which appointed a committee (as well as I recollect) termed of grievances, who were to consider Mr. Pasmore's case. This committee consisted of a member from each county of the state, and appointed a sub-committee which was to report to the grand committee.
" The sub-committee reported this day a resolution to the following effect: " The committee after examining, &c. report that, in their opinion Edward Shippen, Esqr. Yates & Thomas Smith, three judges of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, have acted illegally, partially and tyrannically in their proceedings against Thomas Pasmore, and therefore offer the following resolution, viz. . " Resolved-that the chairman of the grand committee be required to cite the three judges before mentioned to appear before the committee on the 13th of February next to answer the charges brought against them."
" This resolution was carried unanimously. The committee are invested with full powers by the house, so that there is a probability of this becoming a serious business for the judges and very interesting to the community at large. When further proceedings are had you shall be informed."