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Letter to Editor
January 4, 1833
Rhode Island American And Gazette
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
A letter to Mr. Mowry criticizes the ongoing trial in Bristol, Rhode Island, as extra-judicial, arguing that justices Levi Haile and John Howe lack authority beyond the state statute for examining treasons and felonies. It calls for prohibiting such oaths and questions funding the investigation's costs.
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Full Text
Mr. Mowry—While the citizens of every town in this State, are about petitioning the General Assembly to prohibit the administration of extra-judicial oaths, our papers are filled not only with accounts of extra-judicial oaths being administered in Bristol, but I take upon myself to say, from the very best authority— that the whole trial now in progress at that place, is itself extra-judicial. The Statute says:
"And the justices of the peace shall respectively examine into all treasons, murders, homicides and felonies, done and committed in their counties, and commit to prison all persons guilty, or suspected to be guilty of treason, murder, or other capital offence, and hold to bail all persons guilty or suspected to be guilty of lesser offences which are not triable by justice of the peace."
Now if Mr. Levi Haile and Mr. John Howe, the justices now sitting in Bristol can show any other authority than the above, for their present proceedings, then I will acknowledge they have read the laws of Rhode Island more attentively than myself.
INVESTIGATOR.
P. S. If the General Assembly pay the enormous expenses of this extra-judicial investigation, they had better pay for all the masonic oaths that are taken in the state,—by the same rule.
"And the justices of the peace shall respectively examine into all treasons, murders, homicides and felonies, done and committed in their counties, and commit to prison all persons guilty, or suspected to be guilty of treason, murder, or other capital offence, and hold to bail all persons guilty or suspected to be guilty of lesser offences which are not triable by justice of the peace."
Now if Mr. Levi Haile and Mr. John Howe, the justices now sitting in Bristol can show any other authority than the above, for their present proceedings, then I will acknowledge they have read the laws of Rhode Island more attentively than myself.
INVESTIGATOR.
P. S. If the General Assembly pay the enormous expenses of this extra-judicial investigation, they had better pay for all the masonic oaths that are taken in the state,—by the same rule.
What sub-type of article is it?
Investigative
Persuasive
Political
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Extra Judicial Oaths
Bristol Trial
Rhode Island Statute
Justices Authority
General Assembly Petition
What entities or persons were involved?
Investigator.
Mr. Mowry
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Investigator.
Recipient
Mr. Mowry
Main Argument
the trial in bristol is extra-judicial, as justices levi haile and john howe lack authority beyond the quoted statute for such proceedings, and the general assembly should prohibit extra-judicial oaths.
Notable Details
Quotes Rhode Island Statute On Justices' Powers
Mentions Petitioning General Assembly To Prohibit Extra Judicial Oaths
P.S. Compares Expenses To Funding Masonic Oaths