Biography
Matthew Lyon was a Congressman from Vermont. He was convicted under the Sedition Act for publishing and circulating criticism of President John Adams and his administration, including language accusing the administration of pursuing power, pomp, adulation and selfish avarice. He argued that the Sedition Act was unconstitutional, but Justice William Paterson instructed the jury not to consider that question, and the jury convicted him after about one hour. Indicted October 5, 1798 and arrested the next day in Fair Haven, Vermont, he was held until posting bail on October 7, then convicted on October 9 and sent under guard to the jail at Vergennes for four calendar months. He was released February 9, 1799 after paying a 1,000 dollar fine and 60.96 dollars in court costs; a congressional report records 123 days during which imprisonment prevented him from attending Congress. While imprisoned he successfully campaigned for reelection to Congress and left for Philadelphia immediately after his release. A second federal arrest warrant was issued November 7, 1799 over his published criticism of his trial and imprisonment, but the deputy marshal reported in April 1800 that he could not find Lyon in Vermont, so no second incarceration is confirmed.