If one of these swine-thieves was brought before Justice Crockett, and in his judgment the charge was proved against him, the sentence was-- "Take the thief, strip off his shirt, tie him to a tree, and give him a severe flogging.

Then burn down his cabin, and drive him out of the country." There was no appeal from this verdict, and no evading its execution.
Such was the justice which prevailed, in this remote region, until the Legislature of Alabama annexed the territory to Giles County, and brought the region under the dominion of organized law.

Crockett, who had performed his functions to the entire satisfaction of the community, then was legally appointed a justice of peace, and became fully entitled to the appellation of esquire.

He certainly could not then pretend to any profound legal erudition, for at this time he could neither read nor write.
Esquire Crockett, commenting upon this transaction, says, "I was made a Squire, according to law; though now the honor rested more heavily upon me than before.

For, at first, whenever I told my constable, says I, 'Catch that fellow, and bring him up for trial,' away he went, and the fellow must come, dead or alive.