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 The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

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"When the associators were discharged I re the ship's side, he observed a foe hanging and climbing up by a rope that dangled over turned to Philadelphia, took my seat in Congress, the ocean. With his knife he immediately and signed the Declaration on parchment. Two cut the rope short off, saying amicably to days after I went to Newcastle, joined the Con vention for forming a Constitution for the future the man, " Friend, thee may have that." government of the State of Delaware (having been Mr. McKean's whole-souled and efficient

elected a member for Newcastle County), which I services in the cause of liberty very natu wrote in a tavern without a book or any assistance." rally produced for him a bitter antagonism There is almost conclusive evidence that which vented itself in many lampoons. he took a single night Major Andre is the to do this. This Con author of one, a stitution was unani "Dream," the hits of which in regard to mously adopted the "Jackey Jay, Paddy next morning. In the following McKean, and other rebellious * * * were year he was appointed excellent," according Chief -Justice, with to a sympathetic con William Augustus Attemporary. McKean, lee, of Lancaster, and in Hades, was likened John Evans, of Ches to Jeffries, and in the ter, as his associates. shape of a blood-hound A law had been passed flogged forever by a few months earlier Roberts and Carlisle. (Jan. 28, 1777) de It seems the proper claring that all laws moment to say that in force preceding the Mr. McKean imagined sundering of alle he resembled Lord giance should remain Mansfield more than in force, both common any other English and statute law, except judge. No two tem such as were incon peraments probably sistent with indepen were ever more un dence. Three years JOHN SERGEANT. like. But it may be later the High Court doubted if even Lord of Errors and Appeals Mansfield could have steered a surer, firmer was constituted. To this appeals could be course through the riotous and unsettled made from the Supreme Court, but not un waste that followed the Revolution. Another less the subject-matter exceeded the value satire of the time contains the following : — of four hundred bushels of wheat. The judges here were the president of the Su "Why are you banished from your comrades, tell? Will none endure your company in hell? preme Executive Council, the judges of the That all the fiends avoid your sight is plain, Supreme Court, the judge of the Court of Infamous Reed, more infamous McKean." Admiralty, and three Commissioners who The most amazing piece of ability that is were thereafter commonly called judges. recorded of Mr. McKean is the circumstance At this time also the distinction between of his writing the Constitution of Delaware. the judges of Common Pleas, Quarter Ses In a letter to Governor Rodney, August sions, and Orphans' Court was abolished, 22, 181 3, he says : — and the same judges sat for all, each exer