JOINT RESOLUTION
Extending thanks of General Assembly to R. A. Ayers, Attorney-General,
and others, for defence of the State, etc. Agreed to December 19, 1887.
"Resolved (the House of Delegates concurring), That the thanks of
this General Assembly are extended to the Honorable Rufus A. Ayers.
Attorney-General of the State; John Scott, Attorney for the Commonwealth
of Fauquier County; and J. B. McCabe, Commonwealth's Attorney
for the County of Loudoun, for the firm stand assumed by them for having
the validity tested of the late order of the United States Court for the
Eastern District of Virginia, made by the Honorable Hugh L. Bond, Judge
of the Circuit, fining and imprisoning them for alleged contempt of Court
while engaged in the legitimate exercise of their official duties imposed by
law for the enforcement and collection of the taxes due this Commonwealth.
Resolved, That they are congratulated for the course adopted by
them, which, although having subjected them to temporary incarceration
in jail, so far from being a subject of mortification and disgrace, was a
position of honor and distinction, and they are further to be congratulated
and held up to approval and endorsement in having brought about a decision
of the Supreme Court of the United States, which finally settles the
question of the power and authority of the Federal Judiciary over the
States of this Union, in accordance with the Constitution of the United
States and the laws of the land.
Resolved, That the Governor of this Commonwealth be requested to
communicate the passage of the above Resolutions to the State officials
above named, and cause a copy to be transmitted to them with such
remarks as he may deem pertinent."
General Fitzhugh Lee married Miss Ellen Fowle, of Alexandria,
Virginia, and has a large and interesting family.
