The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-04-24
VOL. 2s.


tlemen Of the jury, since II has been my
fortune (good or bad / will not say] to
exercise myselfin legal disquisitions, il
has never hofallen me to be obligated TO
denounce breach Of the peace so enor-
nous and transcending az tho one noy
claiming your attention. A more bar
barous, direful, marked, and malicious
assault---a moro wilfnl, violent, danger
ous, and murderous battery, and finally.
more diabolical breach of the peace.
has seldom happened in civilized coun-
try and / dare say. it has seldom been
your duty to pass upon one so shocking
70 benevolent feelings AZ this--which took
place at captain Rice's in this county;
but you vii! hear that from the witnesses.
Inc witnesses being sworn, two or three
were examined and deposed--one, tha,
ne heard the noise, but didn't see the
hght--another, that he saw the row, but
don't know who struck first--and a third.
that he was very drunk, and couldn't say
much about the scrimmage.
Lawyer.-l am sorry, gentlemen, to
nave occupied SO much of your time with
tho stupidity of the witnesses examined.
1t arose, gentlemen altogether from a
mlsapprehension on my part. Had
known, as now do, that had a Wit.
ness IN attendance who was able TO make
himself clearly and intelligibly under
stood by the court andjury, should no,
so long have trespassed on your ,ime
and patience. Come forward, Mr.. Har-
ris, and be sworn.
30 forward comes the witness, a fat,
chutfy looking man, and took his corpo-
raj oath with an air.
Lawyer.-Mr. Harris, we wish you "a
tell all about the riot that took place the
other day at Captain Rice's, and as a
good deal Of time has already been was.
ted in circumlocution, we wish you to be
as compendious and at the same time az
explicit as possible.
Enthusiastically" giving the law
yer knowing wink, at the same time
clearing his throat---Captain Rice. no
gin treat, and cousin Sally billiard,
she cnme to our house, and axed me il
mY wife she moughn't go---I told cousin
Sally billiard that my wife was poorly.
rhaurpnsics, and the big swamp was up.
for there had been heap Of rain lately;
but, however, as It was, she. cousin Sally
billiard, my wife she mough't 60. Well,
cousin Sally billiard then sxed me if
Nose, he mough'nt go. l told cousin
Sally billiard that Nose, he was fore
man ofthe crop, and the crop was smart
Iy in the grass; but, howsomever, as il
was, she cousin Sally Dillisrd, Nose
mough't 60.
Lawyer.--In the name Of common sense.
Mr.. Harris, what do you mean by this rig.
marole
Witness.--Coptain Rice, he gin a treat,
and cousin Sally billiard, she came over TO
our house, and axed me if my wife, she
mough'nt go. told cousin Sally Billiard
Lawyer.-Stop, sir, if you please, we DONE
want 10 hear any thing about cousin Sally
billiard and your wife, tell us about the fight
at Rice's.
Witness.--Well will, sir, ,if you will letme.
Lawyer.-Well, sir, 90 on.
Witness.-Well, Captain Rice, he gin q
treat, and cousin Sally billiard, she came ov.
er to our house and axed me il my wife, che
mough'nt 60
Lawyer.--We want to know about the
fight, and you must not proceed in this i'm.
pertinent story. Do you know any thing q.
bout the matter before the court?
Witncss.--To be sure do.
Lawyer.--Wil you GO on and tell il, and
nothing else (?
Witness.--Well, Captain Rice, he gin.s
treat -
Lswycr.--This is intolcrable! May il
please the court, move that this witness be
committed for a contemplate seems to mo
to be trifling with the court.
Court.--Witness, you are now before q
| court ofjuslicc, and unless you behave your.
self in a more becoming manner, you will DO
sent to Jail so begin and tell what you know
about the 6ght at Captain Rces
Witness alarmed We'll, gentlemen.
Captain Rice, bc gin treat, aud cousin
Sally billiard
Lawyer.--I hope this witness may 30 or
dered into custody.
Court, (after celebrating Mr. Attorney.
the court is of opinion that we may save tne
by letting the witness 60 on in his own wsy.
Proceed, Mr. Harris, with your story, bur
stick 70 the point.
Wi,ness--Ycs. gentlemen. Well, Captain
Rice, he gin treat, and cousin Sally Dill
lard, she come over to our house, and sxsd
mo if my wife, she moughn't 60, told cous-
in Sally billiard, thai my wife was poorly,
being as how she had the rheumatics, and the
big swamp was in the road. and the big
swamp was up; but howa m,ysrs as il was
she cousin Sally Dillissd. my wife sho mought
20. Well, cousin Sally billiard then sxsd
mo if Nose, no mo.gh'nt 70. told cousin
Sally billiard ss how Mose, he wac foremon
Of the crop, and the crop was smartly in the
grsss--but bowsomevcr, 40 IL wee che, coosin
Sally billiard, Nose he mought 70. So on
they goes together, Nose, my wife, and cou-
sin Sally billiard, and they comes 10 ths big
swamp, and the big swamp wss up, % | was
telling you--but being N how there was q