Thomas's Massachusetts spy, or, Worcester gazette. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1811-1821, 1821-05-02
From The Baltimore Federal Gasst,e.l

NETWORK, APRIL ID.
The County Court of Hartford coun-
ty has been in session since the 18th
day of March. The causes originating
in that county, which late law required
should be first disposed Of, occupied the
Court until the 22d, on which day the
trial OF causes remoy ed from Baltimore
county, commenced. Among the caus-
es so removed for trial, were the indict-
ments against the Officers of several
of the Banks in this city, including the
Branch of the Bank of the United
States. These cases excited great at
tention and expectation, from the char
acter and high standing in society of
the persons indicted-the nature of the
charges, the talents and responsibility
Of the counsel employed for and against
the prosecution, and the great number
of witnesses summoned to support and
repel the charges.
The indictments were numerous but.
except in two instances, were either a.
gainst a single officer, charging him
with secretly and fraudulently using, for
his own benefit, the funds of the Bank
entrusted to his care, contrary to his
duty and to the loss and injury of the
Stockholders-or against two or more
officers for conspiring together secretly
and fraudulently to use the funds, &c.
Much the greater number of indict-
ments were for conspiracy; the gen.
eral ground of defence on behalf of the
persons indicted, was, that conspiracy
for the purposes alleged in those in
dictments was not criminal offence
-an additional ground, in the cases
against the officers of the Bank of the
q. S. was, that the Court had no juris-
diction. The question of law, as to
both grounds, was brought before the
Court on an Indictment against three
of the officers of the Bank of the U. S.
charging them with conspiracy, Sc
cretly and fraudulently to use, for their
own benefit, the funds of that Bank en-
trusted to them, to large amount The
argument was ably supported on the
side of the prosecution, by Mr.. Murray,
the Attorney forthe District, Mr.. Mitch
ell, Mr. Harper, and Mr.. Writ; and as
ably maintained on the part of the trav-
ersers, by Mr.. Winder and Mr.. Pinkney.
The argument, zchich lasted tsCetve
days, was concluded at two o'clock, P.
nj. on Saturday last. The Judges, who
we're all attending during the whole of
the interesting discussion, deemed it inn
portant to intimate their opinions, YER
bally, before the Court adjourned; as
it would depend on their decision wheth-
er the further attendance of great
number of witnesses would be required
The two Associate Judges, Hanson and
Ward, united in opinion, and decided that
conspiracy for the purpose charged
In the indictments is not Criminal Of
fence, inasmuch as the fraud contem-
plated to be effected by such conspiracy
was OF aprivate nature, and such as, lief
fected by any one of the persons indicted,
without the aid or concurrence of anoth-
er person, would not be an indictable
or criminal offence under the laws of
this state. The chief Judge, Dorsey,
dissented from the opinion Of his associ-
ates, and stated it to be his opinion that
the conspiracy charged in the indict-
ment, is criminal offence against the
laws of this state. The decision on the
question Of conspiracy, rendered it UNI
necessary to give any opinion on the
question of jurisdiction, and is consider
ed as settling the cases against all the
Bank officers but four,