United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia

“ Assuming the verity of the return, which has been made under oath, the case presented is without a parallel in the judicial history of the United States, and involves the free action and efficiency of the Judges of this Court.
The President, charged by the Constitution to take care that the laws be executed, has seen fit to arrest the process of this Court, and to forbid the Deputy Marshal to execute it. It does not revolve merely the question of the power of the Executive in civil war to suspend the great writ of freedom, the habeas corpus. ”

“ The United States, ex rel John Murphy.
vs.
Andrew Porter, Provost Marshal, D.C.
At Law.⁠Decided Oct. 31, 1861.
Writ of Habeas Corpus on the petition of John Murphy for the release of his son James.
Mr. D. D. Foley, attorney for the petitioner. Mr. C. C. Carrington for Geo. W. Philip, Deputy Marshal. ”