Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1832-04-06
. ANTI..MAsoNIc.
49, ~ - - REPORT 100 'GIk
ON THF JUDICIAL. PROCEEDINGS OF THE
~ LOCKP0RT TRIALS.
RFpORT.
lcoNcLunEp.)

- +. rstEE4 kcoNcLUnENJ
ain 1rav, 1850. 7, C. Spencer resigned the
Office Of special counsel. alleging, in a letter
which was pablished. that his confidential COM
mnnications to the executive. under whose au-
tl1oritv he acted, had been disclosed, so as to
reach the counsel for the accused and enable
them to paralvze his exertions; and that, in-
stead OF leaving to the executive and the ac-
counting officer of the state. as the law had
ORIGINALLY provided. the adjustment of the COM
pensation of the counsel. according to the SER
vices actually rendered law had been pas
sed. fixing IL al sum so grossly inadequate as
to imply areproach in the officer and a want Of
confidence in his exertions. or an opinion that
the PROSECUTIONS and their object were impor-
tant. During the preceding winter. the senate
OF the state, Of whom a large proportion, j. not
n majority. were ruasons. had passed resolu:
ton calling on the comptroller for a detailed
account oe all the expenses incurred%oy FHe
special 'counsel. with all the vouchers for the
items. The accounts and vouchers were ac-
corAinoIy furnished and published. and thus
e,oseI 20 the world and the accused. the name
&c everv witness who had been examined on
,be fn1inp If the several indictments, and who
was reIe4upon to sustain them. Every facil-
;ty. was thus given to the operation OF the eau
scs that had 50 often prevented witnesses IRON
being found when they were wanted; and. when
found. had prevented their attendance: or, II
they attended. had produced short and lmper-
feet memories The efforts OF an 0th'er OF the
government where thus repudiated by the gov
eminent ITSELF something worse than indiiter'
cnce was exhibited at the success OF his eXer'
,;ons. and, instead Of being sustained BY the
co,,n.enance Of the government, he was left tc
contend against the large body of in
lcted individuals. and against the whole ma
chipery Of masonic combination; including the
Iibels OF the press, sing1v and unaided. Thai
oGicer declared that, under such circumstances
he could be Of no further use in conducting the
nro,ccntions; and he resigned his station. thai
II he occupied nv some one possessing. IN
hirher degree, the confidence OF the executive
The usual and customary weapons OF the ira
ternitv were resortcd to and employed TO pre-
vent the impression which such occurrence
would naturally make upon the public mind
THE most atrocious calumnv was heaped upor
4he officer Nv the masonic press. The execu
Awe added to the charge of violating officia
confidential COMMUNICATIONS, by publishing ot
fetal letters of the most sacredlv confidential
character. in which the special counsel mad IN
uuired whether proclamation OF PreVlon
governor, Offering reward and pardon TOR tn
discovery of the murlerers ct Morgan. wa
still in force! and asking inc adNlce anu WY
ton Of the executive whether direct appuca
ton Of the promises in that proclamation SHOULD
be made TO a particular witness' The mora
sensibilities of the associates and defenders @
mau-stealers and murderers were aroused an
they were shocked at such attempts to hrib
witnessesi The governor, who had olFere
che reward, escaped all censure; but the aGen
who proposed to obey the directions of his ST.
perior. all censure, but the agent. who propc
sed to obey the directions of his superior. re
eeived the full measure of masonic indignation
Perhaps more singing rehuke of such 81;
ring hypocrisy could not be furnished, tina
that which the same governor. very shortly q
forwards, himself exhibited. in offering re
ward and pardon for the discovery of the PEE
sons who had set FIRE to powder-mill! M
". b. Birdseye was appointed special couns
and entered on the dyties of the Office.
"On the 18th of June. 1880, special eli
cult was held in Niagara county, by Mr.. Ma
cv. then one of the justices of the SupreW
Cour, of New York The first indictmel
tried was that against Ezekiel Iewett. Q
samus Turner was called as witness; but, b
fore answering airy questions, desired to col
suit with his counsel. This was refused, an
the examination proceeded He was present.