A. Hillis, October 19, 1839; John J. Leonard, October 16, 1839; Abner C. Smith, October 16, 1839; Amos Dolby, appointed October 23, 1839; H. D. Terry, appointed December 9, 1839; Amos Dolby, appointed April 8, 1839; Richard Butler, appointed October 8, 1839; R. P. Eldredge, appointed May 13, 1839; James L. Conger, April 15, 1840; C. B. H. Fessenden, April 16, 1840; Sylvester Larned, April 4, 1845; Giles Hubbard, April 5, 1843; Andrew S. Robertson, October 4, 1846; Lafayette L. Jones, October 7, 1851; Perrin Crawford, June 20, 1854; James B. Eldredge, June 15, 1858; Thomas M. Crocker, January 17, 1859; Spencer Coleman, of New York; Dayton Andrews, October 24, 1859; Edgar Weeks and Wm. A Lewis, October 17, 1860; Irving D. Hanscom, April 4, 1866; Michael Stapleton, October 19, 1867; Wm. Jenney, Jr., June 28, 1867; Spencer B. Russell, August 28, 1868; James Reardon, June 15, 1869; Dwight N. Lowell, June 15, 1869; William M. Connor, October 28, 1869; George M. Crocker, April 12, 1870; Lewis M. Miller, November 14, 1871; Franklin S. Abbott, November 14, 1871; Chauncey R. Canfield, February 5, 1873; Dewit C. Merriam, February 2, 1875; Samuel S. Babcock, May 3, 1876; Oscar S. Burgess, February 17, 1875; Frank C. Lamb, August 3, 1876; Charles G. Conger, May 2, 1877; Silas B Spier, May 16, 1877; W. E. Leonard, May 20, 1878; Frank F. Williams, February 11, 1879; Giles H. Hubbard, May 4, 1880; Addison G. Stone, May 4, 1880; William Selfridge, May 4, 1880; Charles H. Hutchin, August 4, 1880; Martin Crocker, August 24, 1880; James G. Tucker, August 24, 1880; Arthur L. Sleeper, May 10, 1881.

Anson Burlingame, the negotiator of the treaty of that name, and United States Minister to China, was admitted an attorney at law before the Circuit Court of Macomb County.

Henry B. Hutchins was admitted as an attorney at law on a certificate issued from the Law Department of the University of Michigan.

Arthur L. Canfield was admitted by the Judges of the Supreme Court during the spring term of 1866, in session at Lansing.

The following references to the first session of the County Court, to the lawyers of the period, and to the old court house, were made by Mr. Weeks, of the present bar, and Judge J. B. Eldredge:

The first court for the trial of causes and the transaction of general business was held at Mt. Clemens, at the residence of Christian Clemens, Chief Justice, on the 10th day of July, 1818, and was presided over by the Chief Justice and his two Associates, whom we have already named in the list of appointments for this county. At this session was admitted to practice Ezra Prescott, of New Hampshire, whose appointment to the office of Prosecuting Attorney is also recorded in the list above mentioned.

The first suit mentioned in the records is that of Mitchell and Leo Trombley versus Joseph Dupree, which was an appeal from a Justice's court, involving about $35, and which was continued to the next term. This closed the labors of the court for that term. John Stockton was Clerk. The next term was held at the same place, commencing February 1, 1819. The first indictment found by the Grand Jury of this county was for as

sault and battery against John Hurson. The first trial of a cause was at the second term, and was the case above mentioned of Trombley and Trombley versus Dupree, in which was rendered a verdict by a jury for the plaintiffs of $26.50. This verdict was rendered by the first Petit Jury of which any record is preserved, and their names are as follows: Nathan Coggswell, James Thorrington, William Smith, Harren Underhill, Ezekiel Allen, Levi Blount, James A Clark, Robert Stockton, John Tucker, Benjamin Trombley, John B Vernier and Louis Chapaton. The third term of the court was held at the same place February 7, 1820. At this session considerable business was transacted; eleven indictments were found, two of which were against one Henry Cottrell for "contempt of law." This is an offense unknown to the books, either of common or statutory law, though a wholesome "contempt of law" has always been entertained by the great mass of the people.

While the educated legal mind turns back with a sensation of pride and satisfaction through the pages of history in the contemplation of the majestic systein of our jurisprudence, and makes the grand assertion that "law is the perfection of human reason," we find here a recorded case of the popular opinion that "law is an injustice and a humbug." The record of the next term of the court shows that a court house had been built, and therein the court sat. This court house was built of logs, and stood for some years on the site of the present court house. At this term was admitted to practice as an attorney B. F. H. Witherell, who died recently in Detroit, then occupying the bench in that county as Circuit Judge. There was at the same time admitted one Spencer Coleman, who presented the certificate of Hon. James Kent, Chief Justice of New York (author of Kent's Commentaries), that he (Coleman) was an attorney of that State. We cannot give the date, but the fact exists that about this period there was admitted to the bar of Macomb County a lawyer whose name and fame have since become familiar to the world. We refer to Anson Burlingame, our recent Minister to China, known to all the treaty powers of the world. Hon. C. I. Walker, one of the Professors in the Michigan University Law Department, was admitted here, as was also the late Cornelius O'Flynn, who died recently in Detroit. It was this court that admitted to citizenship Alexander D. Frazer, the oldest member of the Michigan bar.

THE PRESENT BAR.

The present bar of Macomb County comprises twenty-five lawyers, or one legal adviser for every 1,264 persons dwelling within the boundaries of the county. The names of these gentlemen at law are as follows:

Robert P. Eldredge, Thomas M. Crocker, James B. Eldredge, Edgar Weeks, Arthur L. Canfield, George M. Crocker, H. B. Hutchins, Spencer B. Russell, Silas B. Spier, William Selfridge, James G. Tucker, Martin Crocker and Franklin P. Montfort, all of Mt. Clemens; Irving D. Hanscom, now of Marquette; Dwight N. Lowell, John L. Starkweather, and A. L. Sleeper, of Romeo; Seth K. Shetterly and F. F. Williams, of Utica; Lorenzo G. Sperry, of Memphis; William H. Clark, Jr., and Bert C. Preston, of Armada; Joseph Chubb, O. S. Burgess and A. G. Stone, of Richmond.

The officers of the Circuit Court in 1881 were: Edward W. Harris, Circult Judge; Thomas W. Newton, Sheriff; William L. Dicken, Clerk; Iriving D. Hanscom, Prosecuting Attorney; William Longstaff and George Butchler, Constables; F. P. Montfort and A. G. Stone; Circuit Court Commissioners; and J. B. McIlwain, Stenographer.

The elections of 1882 resulted in the choice of Hon. H. W. Stevens, of Port Huron, for Circuit Judge.

IMPORTANT TRIALS.

Among the civil cases brought before the courts of the county, few claimed more importance than those referred to under this head. These causes are selected on account of their historical character, one being on the election of a county officer, one on the privileges of executors, and one on the rights of a railroad corporation. The first is interesting to those who would preserve the purity of the ballot box; the second, to those who desire to fulfill the wishes of a philanthropist; and the third, very instructive to all who love to rely on the justice of a corporation. The first arrests for murder were made by Silas Halsey, Sheriff, and Chauncey G. Cady, Deputy, in 1827. near Detroit. The criminals, named respectively Schneider and Rickett, were supposed to have murdered Donaldson, at the Turnpike Crossing at Salt River. They were confined in the old jail, tried before Judge Woodbridge at Mt. Clemens, and acquitted.

ELECTIONEERING IN 1873.

The case of Alonzo M. Keeler versus George W. Robertson, involving the title to the office of Registrar of Deeds for Macomb County, was tried before the June term of the Circuit Court, 1873, Judge E. W. Harris presiding. The case for the plaintiff rested mainly on the fact that, out of a total of 246 votes cast in Sterling Township, A. M. Keeler was credited with fifty-four, while no less than 115 freeholders made affidavit that each of them recorded his vote for Keeler. The action, too, of Town Board of Inspectors appears

to have been of the strangest, if not of the most illegal, character. They counted the votes a few times, each count resulting in an increasing majority for Mr. Robertson. The County Canvassers, on counting the general vote of the county, found that an equal number of votes was recorded for each candidate, and resorted to the lottery plan for the purposes of declaring an election. Mr. Robertson drew the successful slip, and received the certificate of his election from the County Clerk.

Proceedings on the nature of quo warranto were instituted in the Supreme Court, where issues were framed and ordered to be tried before the Circuit Court of Macomb County, which trial resulted in a judgment for Robertson, the finding being said to have been directed by Judge Harris. The findings of the jury, etc., etc., were placed before the Supreme Court, when the judgment of the Circuit Judge was reversed, and one declaring Mr. Keeler elected, rendered. This celebrated case was conducted by Edgar Weeks, assisted by A. B. Maynard and E. W. Meddaugh, on the part of Keeler, while the defense was carried out by Robert P. Eldredge, Giles Hubbard, A. C. Baldwin and James B. Eldredge.

THE HATHAWAY ESTATE IMBROGLIO.

The Hatheway estate imbroglio, wherein Crockett McElroy was complainant, and James S. P. Hatheway, Cortez P. Hooker and Ichabod L. Quimby, defendants, began in October, 1871.

The lawyers, Edgar Weeks and E. F. Conely, represented McElroy; Messrs. Crocker and Huchins represented Hooker; and Lyman D. Norris and F. Uhl, of Grand Rapids, represented Hatheway and Quimby. The case was continued up to 1880, when the appellant appealed from the ruling of the Circuit Court here to the Supreme Court. The judgment given in the lower court was confirmed.

THE AIR-LINE SUIT.

The litigation between the Michigan Air-Line Railroad Company and Mellens and Tackels resulted in a verdict for the railroad company.

In 1877, the Mellens and Tackels brought an ejectment suit in the Circuit Court of this county against the Michigan Air-Line, claiming title to the depot lands at Romeo. The company then filed a bill in chancery to restrain by injunction the prosecution of that suit, and further claiming that the lands in question were purchased by Harvey Mellen, John N. Mellen and John Phelps (from whom Tackels derived title), in trust for the Michigan Air-Line Railroad Company, the grantor of the present company, and that Managing Director McNaughton, in 1870, delivered to Harvey Mellen township aid bonds to the amount of $2,500, in payment of all claims for depot grounds and buildings. The defendants' answer denied the purchase as alleged, and set up the fact that the lands were purchased through an understanding and agreement with J. E. Young that they were to procure the land to themselves, and proceed and erect suitable buildings; and that the company, within two years, would reimburse them and grant them certain exclusive privileges for handling grain. Defendants further claimed that the bonds received by Harvey Mellen were not received by him in payment, but simply as an officer of the road to see if they could be used in payment of the expenditures made, and that upon the refusal of Tackels and John N. Mellen to so accept them, he reported the fact to the Board of Di rectors, and that he would hold the bonds and account for them when the company might wish to settle with him for some $4,000 advanced by him (aside from the depot purchase) for the construction of the road. The present company thus claimed that the bonds should be applied in payment, and the defendants that they had not been so applied. The defendants further avowed their willingness to deed to the company upon fulfillment of the contract as they claimed it to be.

The bill for an injunction was argued before the Circuit Court in February and dismissed.

The railroad thereupon appealed the case, with result as above stated. The litigation was a long and expensive one, involving an expenditure of several thousand dol lars on both sides. I. D. Hanscom and E. W. Meddaugh were attorneys for the Air-Line; J. B. Eldredge, D. N. Lowell and A. B. Maynard, for Tackels et al.

THE COUNTY COURT HOUSE.

The history of the establishment of the county seat is already told. That of the first and second houses built for the purposes of public business has been referred to in the able historical address of George M. Crocker. Here it will be only necessary to regard the battle between the northern and southern citizens of Macomb-the former seeking a On relocation of the seat of justice, the latter protesting against such a relocation. February 26, 1879, the Supervisors intimated that the board would receive the petition of the people of Romeo. This document was presented by Irving D. Hanscom. It was signed by Harvey Mellen and 126 others, under date Romeo, February 24, 1879, and was couched in the following terms:

To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of the county of Macomb: Your petitioners hereto respectfully represent that they are citizens and taxpayers of said county of Macomb, and recognize the expediency of having a new court house and jail for the use of this county. They further represent that the citizens of Romeo and vicinity have subscribed upward of $30,000 as a free gift to the county if county seat shall be located at said village of Romeo. Thereby relieving the inhabitants of the county from the imposition of a heavy tax for the erection cf said buildings.

Your petitioners further represent that the full sum of $30,000 has been guaranteed to be paid according to the terms of said subscription and at the time therein specified, by wealthy citizens of Romeo, representing a capital of, at least, $500,000, your petitioners would therefore in consideration of the premises, respectfully petition and ask your honorable body to submit the question of removal of the county seat of Macomb County from the village of Mount Clemens to the village of Romeo at the next annual township meeting to be held in the several townships of the county to a vote of the qualified electors of said county and your petitioners will ever pray, etc.

Supervisor Nimms then moved the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Certain citizens of the county of Macomb, of the village of Romeo and vicinity in said county, being desirous of procuring a removal of the county seat of said county to the said village of Romeo, have by subscription promised to pay to the said county the several sums therein subscribed by them, and aggregating the sum of more than $30,000, provided said county seat shall be removed to the village of Romeo as stated in said subscription.

WHEREAS, Certain citizens of Romeo and vicinity, in order to insure to said county the prompt payment of said above-mentioned subscription to the amount of $30,000 provided said county seat of said county shall be removed to the village of Romeo, have signed an obligation by which obligation guarantee the payment of $30,000 of said subscription to said county as stated in said obligation. Therefore

Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors of said county deem it expedient, in view of all the circumstances, to accept such subscription and obligation of guarantee, and do hereby accept the same for the purpose therein stated.

Resolved, That the county seat of said Macomb County be removed from the village of Mount Clemens to the village of Romeo in said county.

Mr. Goff moved the resolutions be adopted, which was lost by yeas and nays as follows:
Ayes-Messrs. Goyer, Ayers, Bennet, Nye, Goff, Murphy and Nimms.

Nays-Messrs. Farrar, Parker, Dedenback, Teats, Stewart, Perkins and Lefever.

The character of that memorable meeting of the Supervisors' Board of Macomb County is outlined in the following telegram to the papers of the State, dispatched about the time Mr. Maynard, of Romeo, entered on his argument in favor of relocation: