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Collected Political Writings of James Otis. Otis James
Читать онлайн.Название Collected Political Writings of James Otis
Год выпуска 0
isbn 9781614872702
Автор произведения Otis James
Издательство Ingram
[print edition page 74]
to remonstrate about a month before, against the Governor and Council’s arming vessels without their consent.
His Honor tells us the emoluments of his lucrative posts “are easily cast up”; but as the particulars are not in the power of every man to find out, I wish an account current had been stated. His Honor condescends to express his readiness to resign his office of Chief Justice, whenever the people shall desire it. His Honor is quite safe: his Excellency long ago informed him the majority were of his side; and if they were not, they can have no vote in the matter. I never heard any man contend that he should be deprived of his office of Chief Justice, or of his place of Lt. Governor, which I think are enough for any gentleman to hold. The office of judge of probate is incompatible with that of chief justice; and the commission for the latter, is in law a supersedeas17 of the former. So is the commission to be judge of the Superior Court, to that for the admiralty. And all acts & decrees made below after such superior commission, are illegal and void. There is no point of law clearer than this. If the salaries and perquisites of the chief justice will not maintain him with dignity, I am for his having more pay, not more offices and power. I have always contended for this in the House, and ever shall while I have the honour of a seat there. I have long tho’t it and am far from being singular in my opinion, a great grievance, that the chief justice should have a seat in the council; and consequently so great a share of influence in making those very laws he is appointed to execute upon the lives and property of the people. But this opinion affects all the judges of the superior court, and can’t therefore be founded on any particular prejudice to his Honor.
His Honor towards the close hath furnished us with a new kind of political catechism. It manifestly appears from some of the questions, that his Honor would not only have me subjected to the infamous character and punishment of a common Barrator, but to something far worse. What his Honor’s ultimate wishes were when he wrote those genteel queries, I shall leave; first observing that I can’t trace the least appearance of a wish for my amendment, or good estate hereafter. I shall take my leave of the performance, by wishing his Honor, health and prosperity in this life; that he may be made a great blessing to the province in his office of chief justice; that he may receive the rewards of virtue here, and be finally crowned with a happy immortality.
James Otis.
Boston, April 7, 1763.
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