When, therefore, it was conceded on the argument that if the affair at Lathrop had taken place in the court-room during the sitting of the court, the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court would be unquestionable, it is difficult for me to see why the whole question of federal jurisdiction was not embraced in that concession.  Assassinating a judge on the bench would no more obstruct and defeat public justice than assassinating him on his way to the bench.  In each case he is proceeding in the line of official duty imposed on him by law and his official oath.  The law requires him to go to court wherever the latter is held, and he is as much engaged in performing the duty thus imposed on him while he is proceeding to the place of his judicial labors as he is in performing the latter after he gets there.

It would, therefore, seem to go without saying that any acts done in defense and protection of the judge in the performance of the duties of his office must pertain to the exclusive jurisdiction of the court of which he forms a part.

The fact that the assault on you was avowedly made in revenge for your judicial action in a case heard by you gives a darker tinge to the deed, but, perhaps, does not change the legal character of the assault itself.

    That Neagle did his whole duty, and in no way exceeded it, is
    too plain for argument.

    Yours faithfully,
    W.D.  SHIPMAN

    Mr. Justice FIELD.

Letter from James C. Welling, president of Columbian University, Washington: 

    HARTFORD, August 15, 1889.

    MY DEAR JUDGE: 

It is a relief to know that Justice, as well as the honored justice of our Supreme Judiciary, has been avenged by the pistol-shot of Neagle.  The life of Terry has long since been forfeited to law, to decency, and to morals.  He has already exceeded the limit assigned by holy scripture to men of his ilk.  “The bloody-minded man shall not live out half his days.”  The mode of his death was in keeping with his life.  Men who break all the laws of nature should not expect to die by the laws of nature.

In all this episode you have simply worn the judicial ermine without spot or stain.  You defeated a bold, bad man in his machinations, and the enmity you thereby incurred was a crown of honor.  I am glad that you are to be no longer harassed by the menace of this man’s violence, for such a menace is specially trying to a minister of the law.  We all know that Judge Field the man would not flinch from a thousand Terrys, but Judge Field the Justice could hardly take in his own hands the protection of his person, where the threatened outrage sprang entirely from his official acts.

I wish, therefore, to congratulate you on your escape alike from the violence of Terry