The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-12-12
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS.
IMPORTANT rPItL At 1J,cucr,

1MFOhfaNT TRIzL 1T AUGUSTA
On Thursday the l8th instant Elijah Barton.
DAVID Lerin, Jlbcz Meigs, Anse Meigs, Ma
thsnI Lerm, Prince Kahn, and Adam pits, were
arrt'gn' 8 before the supreme judicial court. held
at Augusts, by adjournment, FOR the murder 81
Psul Chadwick, in the town of Malta. Trey nh
pleaded not guilty, and desired to be tried tore.
thers and TO join in their challenges
Inc court having met at late hour in the
forenoon, djonrned until the nsyt morning. when
the jury having been impsnnelled, the solicitor
general, IN very able manner. introduced the
cause to the jury, stating the Importance of the
tr'ai, and the necessity If proceeding TO il with
due regard TO the claims Of the prisoners and tbe
violated laws of the country.
me witnesses were then examined, and the
dying declaration of the deceased taken and
sworn to before magistrate, in which he stated
t,e circumstances of the assault upon him. and
identified two of the prisoners as being of the
party disguised like Indians, who fred upon
hifn, was read 10 the jury Evidence ofthe con.
fssion of all the prisoners was given bv f1e ;,,s
tice before whom it was taken. This course of
proceeding, together with some witnesses pro
auced ny the prisoners, occupied five doys The
two next days were EMPLOYED by the counsel for
tne prisoners and by the solicitor general in their
observatlons upon the evidence. Pcrhaps no
cause Of ms nature was ever managed with more
professional ability in this cduntrt Mr. Wilde
and Mr.. Mellen explored every recess Of nee,
hnity to excite reasonable doubt on the minds of
the jury, and were followed by the solicitor. re.
neral IN speech of about four hours. at the con.
ciusion OF which, perhaps. not one. Of the hume.
rous spectators, whateve.' may have been his
WISHES, had any hopes that any of the prisoners
wouid De acquitted The evidence was exhibit.
edIn such clear distinct manner. and the aron
ments OF the prisoners council were 81 combst.
ed, that the aequttal of any of the prisoners could
he expected from no other cause, Than ibeiepdsr.
hss of the jury.
fne evidence was summed IN by Judge Par
ker IN speech of near two hours the other
Judges then stated tliet there was no necessity
ior mem to add any thing except that they per.
tectly concufTed in the view OF the cst,se ne len
by Judge Parker. The Jury witlIdreyv On rb,ys
| day the 20d, atha,fpast twelve O'Clock +, \, md
remained together until Ssturlqv II O'Clock "
Whehs verdict obacquttai sya3 returned n, Won.
OF each OF the prisoners, and they were seyer.lI.
, discharged
Whatever may have been tie opnio, Of a
crowded audience respecting this ysr,lict and
Whatever sentiments may be enteria aimed by In !.
Pueic-It should be considered unit, tl,e evi
dence Is published, improper in apv man 10 Az.
ra'gn The conduct Of th, jnry. The whole rial
was taken down IN short band by gentleman of
kreat accuracy 10 that species Of writing. and in
the course OF a few weeks the public yin Laye
an opportunity OF deciding upon the correctness
OF incorrectHess OF verdict, which TO saw the
leas', surprised every one WHO heard il.
Great solemnty was observed during the whole
OF bls nnco'pinonly long trial the court, though
sitting by adjournment, was opened with n
payer By the Rev Mr. Cillet---and the great
concoursr OF people was kept in perfect silence
/ and orier by sheriff Chandler, whD in tie whole
OF tbs arduous business has conducted Win
great energy and discretion.
IL IS circumstance worthy Of notice, that the
/ several companies of militia which have been
! caled on duty from an apprehension Of an at.
'smPtto rescue The prisoners, have repaired to
uJeir posts with sl1erity, completely armed ami
congratulated they waited nothing but uni
torn eioathmg to give them the appearance Of
regnisf troops--Ihey have also evincsd the mos,
decided resolution not To sufer the eosernmcut
orns laws 10 be abused 0r tfsmpled on.