79 
in their respective declarations, that they were soon held back, so 
as not to be involved in a charge of perjury as false witnesses. By 
this opportunity I learnt, that it was considered difficult among 
the Spaniards here to obtain a witness for the sum of eight dol¬ 
lars, to say any thing in evidence that was required. And yet 
that is more than such a complacent witness costs in some other 
countries. The lawyers put such strange questions to the Co¬ 
lombian witnesses, and particularly to the seamen, (as for in¬ 
stance, in what manner was he enlisted, what was his pay, and 
how he was paid, how he was fed and treated?) that the judge 
called them to order several times. Mr. Morel conducted his 
defence very well, and successfully combated the arguments pro¬ 
duced by his antagonists. He then laid down the principle, 
which certainly is a very just one, that the person who is on board 
of a vessel of war, is within the limits and jurisdiction of that go¬ 
vernment to which the vessel may belong. Upon this principle 
the commodore necessarily must gain his suit, and this he did 
in a very satisfactory manner. 
After the disposal of this cause, on the 17th of March another 
one was taken up. A resident lawyer, named Lloyd, whose re¬ 
putation stood very low, had, on the preceding day, insulted the 
presiding Judge Turner in the street, for which reason the judge 
had him taken in custody by the sheriff, and thrown into pri¬ 
son. The injured judge presided in his own suit, and in this 
manner was both judge and party. I was informed that Mr. 
Turner was insulted in his individual capacity, but that he de¬ 
cided as a judge in the name of the state of Louisiana. This ex¬ 
planation did not satisfy me, the distinction between person and 
his office, may be correct in theory, it is, however, very hardly 
so in practice; and on this acount, the proceeding to me appear¬ 
ed arbitrary. It appeared unfair also to me, that the judge was 
not assisted by a jury. Farther, Mr. Lloyd wished to defend 
his own cause, he was, however, half intoxicated, and attacked 
the judge so grossly from time to time, that he ordered him fre¬ 
quently to be silent. The examination of the witnesses con¬ 
sumed so much time, that I was obliged to leave the court before 
the termination of the case. I heard afterwards that Mr. Lloyd 
had been adjudged, to provide two sureties for his good behaviour, 
during one year, each in a penalty of one thousand dollars, and 
since he w T as not able to find these securities immediately, to be 
remanded to prison. 
On the same day, Mr. Bowdoin left us, and embarked on board 
the steam-boat George Washington, bound to Louisville: after¬ 
wards to return to New York. I accompanied him on board 
of the boat, and had an opportunity of observing her most ex- 
