Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-07-18

From, the .Nationai journal Of Jaiy To- /
DR.. Watkins.-The trial of DIR. Watkins on the
indictment charging him with obtaining from me
Secretary of the Navy rcqusiiion for $3.50 on the
prctext that 1t was required for the service oil tue
United States Navy. under the head OF approprn- |
ton for arreargts," came on yesterday. The foi'
called by the Clerk, being chosen by ballot, VIZ;
James H. Lowry, George C0rer,
Samuel Harrison Henry w. Warug,
Judson Mitchell. Joseph =. Clarke,
Robert Z. Anderson, George w. Halter,
Jacob fanny, George Parker,
Daniel Hauptman, Clement M'Williams.
The Counsel for DIR. Watkins having challenged
Judson Mitchell and George Cover; James III. Low
ry and Samuel Harrison. being tho first two Jurors
sworn, were appointed by the Court to be trycrs,
and were sworn accordingly
Mr.. Judson Mitchell then sworn. and being
asked by the Counsel for the accused, If he had
made up and expressed any opinion ~ to the guilt
or innocence of DIR. Watkins, replied in the mega
tive, and was therefore admitted to be juror.
MIR. George Cover then put upon oath, md
on having the same Quc+ion put tn him, replied
that he had been operated upon by newspaper and
other statements, although he believed he could de-
eide conscicntousy according to the evidence be-
fore the jury.
The tryers then returned verdict that Mr.. George
Cover was not an indifferent person, and he was ac
cordingly rejected us Juror.
I Richard Harrison was then sworn upon the jury,
in the room of George Cover.
| Mr.. Swami, thsn IN very brief manner, opened
the case, by reading the indictment, and explaining
the various facts which were set forth. He stated
that to sustain these facts several witnesses would
be called. by whom it would be proved that the Secre-
tsry ofthc Navy had been induced to sanction tho
issuing of requisition for the $50 dollars charged
by the false representations OF DR.. Watkins. in
which he placed confidence. IL also char
gcd that DIR. Watkins had applied this money
d. 10 his own use, with intent 20 dciIaud the Gov
ern.ncut, which formed the cohtestble part oi
the Indictment. This would be proved by wit
ncsscs who would show that DR.. Watkins had
Iron NJ
the amoun, stated and for that drah had received
the money of Mr.. Fowler and that this draft
requsition obtained from the Secretary of the
| Treasury. He was therefore of the opinion that
this part of the would be made clear the jury
He would refrain from going into any argument, but
leave il 10 the jury TO decide according 10 the cvi.
dcnce which should be Produced.
The original of the letter written by DIR. Watkins
TO Dir. Pauldmg, advising him of the draft for 75s
dollars was then put in by MIR. Swami. The date OF
this letter January l6, 1923.
| Mr.. Pauldng, Mr.. Fowler, the Hon. Samuel l..
Southland, and Mr.. Cottrnger. were then sevcrully
into the details of their testimony until the case shall
have gone TO the Jury.
As there appears to DC disposition The part Of the
prosecution to leave no means which ingenuity can
suggest, untrled To obtain n conviction of Dr. Wat
kIns, and that disposition is watched and vigorously
encountered IN all It's promptngs, by the defendants
nOunsc, tic progress OF the trial is necessarily obstruc
ted at almost every step. 1t is extremely uncertain
whether the whole o. the testimony will be given in
before the close of tins days sitting Of the Court
and, in that contingency, the case will scarcely be
committed to the Jury before to morrow.
| The great anxiety which this trial has produced
upon the public mind, may be estimated by the
numbers which assembled in the court room ycster-
day, to winners the proceedings. In the course of
the trial, the Conrt has already been frequently cal
led upon tn decide upon the admission of documents
and the relevancy of questions submitted by the
Counsel for the United States and To which obiec-
tons are taken by the Counsel for the accused.