Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-08-10

Vhey aTe ali young men, respectable lookinu ,pI
~ou'c "e'e. De suspected from their appearance OF
such ioui crimes John Francis Knapp. approached
hrst lis dress was light grey stuff frocI, coat
i'Sh' vest blue pantaoons, and yellow handkerchief
around his neck. HIS features are oval and rather
regular his complexion somewhat Oakland his hair
very neatly cut and parted in front HIS dark brows
huhg heavily over his eyes, but there was nothing
irepuisivc IN his appearance He might be termed
good looking HIS brother Jos Jenkins Knapp, pre-
snntcd quite different appearance. Indeed there
was no family resemblance between them loosen n
was dressed in dark frock cont, blue pantaloons.
DARK vest and handkerchief When he entered the
box he cast his eyes around the audience md a
smile lurked beneath his eyes. His face was thin
ind sallow-hs cheeks suDkcn and his hair fell
very carelessly around his forehead and brows
Ills appearance was by no means prepos sossinp-
George Crowninshield was the handsomest fellow of
the lot Ills face had fine lorid complexion quite
youlntoi-- ms nose prominent-and his profusion Of
very light hair was quite remarkable Had Justice
oeeh ond while longer, his hair might have rival.
LED red peppers. George is quite young man--al.
most touching stout boyhood He was dressed in
an olive fro:k coat, black silk vest black bandkor
ohof, and blue pantoloons.
when they made their uppea rance in the prison.
CT box they were addressed by name separately
and desired to mold up their right hands This they
Siu throughout the reading of the two indictments
ooth or which are formed of several counts VARYING
the form sf accusation so as to meet nnv noss,ble
ooection anticipated from their counsel and ayailed
OF through the suicide nf Richard Crownnsheld.
yonn FRANCIS Knapp was first put on bis trial. and
tue Two others were remanded He was arraigned
on the single indictment, IN which he is charcoal a.
a, principal with Richard Crownnshield. deceased
TO this he plead IN faint voice mot guilty"
Inc empanneling OF the jury then took place. In
the course Of finding jury, he CHALLENGED perbnns
over twenty men In reference to his selection
observed that he had a decided partiality to bnrd
featured, weather beaten faced men, who had snen,
lnuny years at sea, or at hard work on shore. ANY
man with genteel exterior and dressed better than
CHALLENGED w tbnut T..
Two hours jury was got-a set of fine hardy hon
est looking men as ever A good many on be
ing called as lurym"n disqualified on replyinn
I E 'ney mad made up their minds. Perez Norton
Esq attorney Geuerai, then rose up and addressed
the Jury IN an opening speech of some lenr,b and
explanatory OF the law. In the course OF his re.
marks ne Took occasion reprmand the edi,oral mr.
'c'es "n'ch had appeared In the newspapers in this
quarter IN refersn to the murder and au, STONED
lhe propricty of these publications as tending To
defeat the ends of Justice
MIR; Morton is old fashioned man, of the old
scnool-has been claimed in his day and generation
out KNOWS more OF the technca!ities of law than he
does OF the tactics Of well corductod nress 7,
Is an cid, worm eaten and Gothic DOGMA of tho
courts to consider the publicity given to every evcnt
ny the press, as destructive TO the interests of
"a" and justice. This superstition arose towards
the close Of the middle ages. and was in ;,s f,jI
Vsour during the last century. IN Europe when the
contest arose, not only be wecn the press and tho
princes TO the world, but also between The press and
.; vi tue LAY" is It impossible that the publ
cation OF facts, or even rumors have any ,endcn
cy To defeat the gene al operations of ius,ices Jfths
were true, the more utterly ignorant man ls the &,
Ter ne Is to sit juror. There seems to be sci of
people IN this world who, whether they are In the
court--at the bar-or in The Senate We particular
Penchdnt IN degrading and betleue the press-snd
VINO embrace every opportunity TO cast aspersioos
upon It's character and usefulness. The honesty--
the Purity-the integrity of legal practice and legal
decisions throughout this country are more indebted
to the American press than to the whole tribe of law
yeTs and judges who issue their DEGREES The pres.
is the heing jury of the nation