Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by H. Levin, editor, 1897. Published
by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago.  Reprinted by Southern Historical
Press.  p. 62.  Unknown County.

GEORGE MUTER, chief justice of court of appeals from June, 1792, to
December 26, 1806, was a Virginian of education and refinement who was
among the earliest emigrants from that state to the then district of
Kentucky.  On the erection of a district court in the Kentucky district,
by the legislature of Virginia in 1783, he was one of the judges
appointed to its bench, but did not act in that capacity until 1785. He
was a prominent participant in the legislative, judicial and political
history of the district and state from his advent into it until his
resignation from the bench in 1806.
     His name, with that of Harry Innes, John Brown and Benjamin
Sebastian, appears attached to an important historic document, arraigning
the congress and government of the United States for the enactment of laws
and the negotiation treaty obligation, inimical to the interests of the
western country in their commercial relations with foreign powers, and
calling a representative convention to meet in May, 1787, to consider the
subject.  This was the inception of what has become part of the history of
the country, and particularly of Kentucky, known as the "Spanish
Conspiracy."  Much has been written on the subject.  Judge Muter's
connection with the matter, as determined by long subsequent investigation
was free from anything of a treasonable character, as has been sometimes
alleged.
     An effort was made by the legislature in 1795 to remove both Judges
Muter and Sebastian from the bench, but failed through lack of
two-thirds majority; and while dissatisfaction existed over some of his
decisions there is no evidence of corruption upon his part.  His long
service for the state and his eminent position, with his life tenure
upon the office of chief justice, entitled him to every consideration of
love and respect.  His advanced age and infirmities, however, were such
that he could not discharge the increasing arduous duties of his office;
and on being promised a pension for the remainder of his life, the
venerable judge was induced to resign his office.  In accord with the
promise made him, the legislature passed a bill granting him a pension of
three hundred dollars per annum, December 26, 1806.  This was the first
and last pension given by Kentucky, and even this small allowance was
abrogated by a subsequent repeal of the original grant in January, 1809,
it having been a subject of contention throughout the state, the act of
pensioning being styled "monarchical, odious and unconstitutional."
     Judge Muter, being entirely dependent, lived the remainder of his
life the beneficiary of the friendship of Judge Todd, who tenderly cared
for him in his declining days.

Muter Innes Brown Sebastian Todd
=
VA

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/unknown/muter.g.txt