Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 05.pdf/139

LYNCH LAW. BY ALEXANDER BROWN. THE "Green Bag" of December, 1892, teers from different parts of the State, did by timely gives an account of " The Lynch-law and effectual measures suppress such conspiracy; Tree " from the " Philadelphia Times," which and whereas the measures taken for that purpose is quite correct so far as it goes; but the fol may not be strictly -warranted by law, although lowing particulars, I believe, will make several justified from the imminent of t/ic danger : II. Be it therefore enacted, that the said points clearer. William Preston, Robert Adams, Jr., James During the Revolution many Tories lived Callaway and Charles Lynch, and all other persons in the Blue Ridge section of southwestern whatsoever concerned in suppressing the said con Virginia. In 1780 they formed a conspiracy, spiracy, or in advising, issuing, or executing any organized companies, " and did actually orders or measures taken for that purpose, stand attempt to levy war against the Common indemnified and exonerated of and from all pains, wealth;" but Col. William Preston, the county penalties, prosecutions, actions, suits, and damages lieutenant of the then county of Montgomery on account thereof, etc." on the west side of the Blue Ridge, and Col. James (not Capt. Thomas, as the " Phila Lynch law has been traced back into the delphia Times " has it) Callaway, the county misty past; but so far as our statutes are lieutenant of the then county of Bedford on concerned, we have here the origin in 1780. the eastern side, aided by Col. Charles Lynch and the definition by Act of 1782. — "net and Capt. Robert Adams, Jr. (army officers), strict/y warranted by law, butjustifiablefront and other faithful citizens, " did by timely the imminence of the danger." and effectual measures suppress said con The refrain of the old patriot song, as I spiracy." Whenever a conspirator, or Tory, have it, is, — was captured he was tried before a sort of drumhead court-martial, and Colonel Lynch, "Hurrah for Captain Bob, acting as judge, condemned them to receive Colonels Lynch and Callaway! Who never let a Tory off various punishments, — generally so many Until he cried out, ' Liberty! '" lashes. After the war many suits were instituted by citizens of this region for this The counties in the colony of Virginia infliction (without due form of law) of "Lynch's Law," as it was called; and the were governed as the shires in England, and General Assembly of the State, in October, the same system obtained for some time after 1782, found it necessary to pass the following the separation from the mother country. Act for the protection of the old Whigs, or And the authority of the county lieutenants, Colonels Preston and Callaway, was similar Patriots : — to that of the Lord-Lieutenant of an English "I. Whereas divers evil disposed persons in the shire. They were the local representatives year 1780 formed a conspiracy and did actually of the government, the head of the magis attempt to levy war against the Commonwealth; tracy, and Chief-Commanders of the militia and it is represented to the present General in their counties, and were responsible in Assembly, that William Preston, Robert Adams, Jr., James Callaway, and Charles Lynch, and other cases of emergency (invasion, rebellion, etc.) faithful citizens, aided by detachments of volun for the preservation of public tranquillity, etc.