Rambles about Portsmouth. Sketches of persons, localities, and incidents of two centuries: principally from tradition and unpublished documents. By Charles W. Brewster.

THE IMPARTIAL JUSTICE. 119
Justice Penhallow was a "strict constructionist," and
fully agreed with Chief Justice JAY of the Supreme Court
of the United States, that in conformity with the provisions
of the Constitution, justice should be administered "faithfully, impartially and without delay."
As an instance of his impartiality in the administration
of justice, we notice a case brought before him, of a complaint for assault and battery. The complainant, who was a
kinsman of Governor John Wentworth, set forth in his
complaint, that he, " being in the peace of God and the
State," and quietly passing up Pleasant street, was then
and there assaulted, beaten, bruised and wounded by two
persons. [The names of the parties we will not mention.
One of them was a tall limb of the law who had gained
some celebrity professionally in our courts of justice, and
subsequently attained a high distinction as an eminent
Jurist and counsellor-at-law in a neighboring State; the
other was a person nearly related to one of our most opulent merchants, and afterwards succeeded to an honorable
and lucrative office in Great Britain under the crown.]
Upon complaint being made, Justice Penhallow issued his
warrant for their arrest and arraignment before him, to
answer to said complaint, and they soon after being brought
before him, he found both of them guilty, and sentenced
each of them to pay a fine for the use of the County of
Rockingham, and to stand committed, (that is, to be locked
up in jail,) until said sentence should be performed. The
fines were paid, forthwith.
Thus jails,.th.ose iron agents of the law,
Keep many, graceless wretch in awe."
Our venerable Justice recognized only two distinctions
of character, of those living under and entitled to the protection of the laws of the State; namely, obedience to, and
disobedience of those laws. Neither the possession of
wealth, or any adventitious condition of life of the accused,,