GALE, Samuel, Canadian jurist, born in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1783; died in Montreal, 15 April, 1865. His father, a native of Hampshire, England, came to America in 1770, as assistant paymaster to the British forces. The son was educated at Quebec, and in 1802 began the study of law in the office of Chief-Justice Sewell in Montreal, He was admitted to the bar in 1808, and, having been appointed a magistrate in the Indian territories, accompanied Lord Selkirk to the northwest in 1815. Later, when Lord Dalhousie was attacked for his administration of Canadian affairs, Mr. Gale went to Britain as the bearer of memorials from the English-speaking residents of the eastern townships and other sections of Lower Canada, defending the viceroy's conduct. In 1829 he became chairman of the quarter sessions, and in 1831 was appointed a judge, which office he held until ill health forced him to retire in 1849. While upon the bench, he maintained the right of the crown to establish martial law in 1837. He was deeply interested in the freedom of the slave, and when the Anderson case was before the Upper Canada courts, was one of the most active among those who aroused agitation. When the Prince of Wales visited Canada, he prepared a congratulatory address from the colored people of the country, which, however, was not received, as the prince was desired by the Duke of Newcastle not to recognize differences of race and creed unless it were imperative. He fought a duel with Sir James Stuart and was severely wounded. He was the author of a series of letters to the "Montreal Herald," over the signature of "Nerva," which were strongly conservative in tone, and made a powerful impression.