Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-09-20
PLAIN DEALiNo liz A Jusr.cs covar.

"A 'u7'ess NouTt was IeceHtly hoiueu ~
one OF the Towns Of this STATE. ofrsthss "a
extraordinary character, conecraing which ne
snau attempt short ske ch. Il seems that
several persons had Instituted each q CONS
plant against one defendant, for an assauN
and battery on all, Of them at the same time,
upon which, warrants were issued, and the dsr
fendant was arrested and carried several inos
from the scene of action, and the residences II
nearly all tho witnesses, before tho Justice
who issued the warrants. On this occas;on,
as IS usual, the compliments 6aygai,,ed with
several other ma gistrates 10 SIT on the trIal Of
the casss. who accordingly attended, having
the promise each Of u round fee frer, 80
compla nan,s for their services.
On the trial Of The first complaint. Il appear.
ed that the present defendant had formerly iDs
stigated process against the compliments ivs
Tho same oience, as having been committed ~
the same time and place Oh him, in .,Ese-
quence Of which he received several severe
wounds, that neurly cost him his life. TiA
process. it appeared. had been stopped D. tie
present eomplaina ats, who voluntarily came
forward, and taci,ly acknos led.ed the Assault,
by paying each small cum Of money tn ,as
injured party; but afterwards saw 6. to isy
the charge at his door, At the motion Of tnS
defendants counsel, they we're separuts,y ex-
amlned, and it MAS found iha, tho stories Of
no two agreed III tho particulars. as to the
commencement of the assault. Several wit
nesses were then sworn for the defend ant, al
OF whom con'radicted the whole tes iinot,y Ut
The complainants, who bad produced no 9th
or evidence but tneir own. The case ~as ar
gued by the. COUNSEL on both sides, and the de-
lendant was convicted, and fined $50 aud
costs Of prosecution. The other cases cans
on in Their course. The same evidence ~aS
proGr.ed, and same Judgment and sentence
was pronounc ced against the apl,ss prisoler.
Havln. at length arrived at tho las, case, tbs
counsel for the defendant arose and addressed
Tue Court az follows:
+" May Il please gear Eonors;
/" Ii has uniformly been my practice 10 treat
Tie high ma isracy of this land With rerursa.
tal Difference, whenever have had occssioa
to appear before It in the capacity now up
pear, Notwithstanding any errors which may
sometimes have thought were made IN judic,st
proceedings, on the part of tie judges. 1s
such mistakes, il is the sad lot Of human wiz
dom, III its greatest purlty, to be subject. Bit
though my duty dictates that should lie s,o-
dest. it does not enjoin it Oh me to be silent,
when see judicial corruption orrayed. not ib
its usual gaib and bandagus TO hide ns loutL
some appearance and e.uvla fiou the stpsvs
Of me htIt shn m Oup u tio
view of oil.
I" In this last case, strong additional evi-
dence has arrived, to prove the innocence ot
the defend in,. Yet shall not trWg fpr-
ward shall not agar. turn to tie ant!.,tl'es
OF law 10 tho decisions OF the linno1. al Ha!S
TO the statutes of the STATE, an,s,h uu TOM
practice of judicial tribunals, III crimiuai pro-
ceednCs. | shull not again asa upon wnat
authority you have seen tit TO QMtad defect
i've criminal process upon what authority
you have directed tie officer 10 pat my client
in mons, and keep hin chained up IN . dirty
stall for two nigh's. tbough hs has never
shown the slightest disposition TO escape, bal
has always behaved with the utIio-i PIai ritty.
snce his arrest, both to ynur lf0nora and the
officer. | shall not ag:in urge tic rcspeeta-
bilty, the honesty; the good Character and
fame, the poverty, and situation Of .h,s uhfor:
tunate man, though YOU pcrrel'a hs oespnS
wife and barefoot children have AT length
come 10 witness the furlorn condl, ION 10 which,
he is now subjected. Were hund;tds OF wit.
netses present to attcs, TO tie innocence "
of the deft ndan,, l would not cali ,hrm. And
il there person present, eve" am"ng your'
selves, WHO will ask me iiiyt No t,or3
are none who have heard the oicr tria,s, ur
been concerned IN them, "lo aorid he so
simple. Look at the deep aud yet tresR
wounds which my client rctahe,! from thu
hands Of merciless rulans on nat night. ,asi
we'll nigh had proved his las They are s'ti
ghastly and bloody but the wounds that in.
jured justice-the laws, aud the public. have
this day received, hoIn Gidn hands, are
deeper and more horrible
[Here one Of their Honor, nio had hhhcf
to sat silent, and shrunk sh'ern2 back, inter:
posed and said. "If rgiily understand ysef
last words you must mean soue OF us.'}
The counsel proceeded =
81 shall rot stop TO poin. oa' pst'ituiafis
tho strange cause from hIch ms client has
repeatedly hoen conyicicd uf oGences, ~
which hc has proved hiih;. Il innocent. hops
that all have discharged what ,hey oNc rs
their oaths and their corsoientes, aud whils
returning Tho long distance they have .ra,ci-
led from thor homes, TO sit and determine M:
on the doom Of an honest fellow citizen, they
eau say within themsciNh ht they batc acted IN.
and wIihoI the rHuen-,, Of any
private compensation ,h,y ihsy have rste"t3
from either party.
tHsrc the aboyc B,sa,iorel Justice sss'k
broke silence, and saEi. though soisewhat
family a. rayly don't ksoA nh I you s'esS
by all this strange talA, lh!s's you h'sss ID
say that some Of Us haze Lssn hGsd V sfsS
the cases sgin Mr.. -. Eor my part,