John Charles Watrous

John Charles Watrous (August 1, 1801 – June 17, 1874) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Texas and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Education and career

Born on August 1, 1801, in Colchester, Connecticut, Watrous received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1828 from Union College and read law in 1830. His service terminated on April 19, 1870, due to his resignation,

Criticism and impeachment attempts After his appointment to the federal bench, Watrous became the object of severe criticism, in part because his decisions in a number of cases went against the wishes of some members of the legislature and because of his personal connections with land speculation in the state. The alleged relation of Watrous to an attempt to validate forged land certificates resulted in the Texas legislature's passing a resolution in 1848 asking the judge to resign. Impeachment proceedings against him began in the United States House of Representatives in January 1851 with the presentation of three petitions or memorials. The main charges against him were violating Texas statutes punishing those dealing in fraudulent land certificates, misusing his judicial influence, and holding sessions of court improperly. After numerous investigations the case was dropped by a vote of 111 to 97 on December 15, 1858. Complaints continued to be presented to each succeeding Congress; Sam Houston, on February 3, 1859, made a scathing attack on Watrous, and United States Representative Andrew J. Hamilton prosecuted the impeachment until the adjournment of Congress on March 3, 1861.

Civil War

Due to Texas' secession from the Union and the American Civil War, Watrous was unable to hold court from 1861 to 1865. He resumed holding court at the end of the war.

Later career and death

Following his resignation from the federal bench, Watrous moved to Baltimore, Maryland, and practiced law as much as his health would permit. He died on June 17, 1874.