The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-12-18
From the Mdysviltc Eagle, Nov. 81.
MAHAN'S TRIAL.

The trial of the Rev, John b. ;.lTahaa, for the
abduction of the slaves Of William Greenhouse,
Esq, commenced on Tuesday afternoon Of las!
week, in Mason Circuit Court, and terminated
on Monday. 1t appeared from the evidence that
Mahan stated to the witness, that during the
month preceding his Indictment, fifteen slaves
had passed through his hands on their way from
Kentucky to Ohio or Canada-and that of the ST
fifteen, two Of them (he same which are nam
ed in The indictment belonged to Mr. Greenhouses
that there was II chuin reaching from Kentucky
10 Canadn, for the purpose Of iorw ardlng tugi-
tive slaves. NiaIan further urged the witness
to become one of the links OF that chain, offer
ing to pay him for his services. Upon the Wit
ness hesitaling, Nlal0n told him that he need
not fear, for thai there was co!ored barber III
MaysviIle, who sent HIM all he could
The evidence on the part Of the prosecution
having closed the counsel Tor the prisoner NOV.
ed the court to exclude the whole OF ii from tie
consideration Of the jury, us wholly lnsuitirieIIi
and incompetent TO approve tie offence charged
in the indictment; or that the court would M
struct the jury that, in the absence OF all evil
dencc TO prove that the offence charged was
committed by the prisoner being personally pre-
sent in the county of Mason ut the time the Of
fence was committed, lIc is not legally subject 10
conviction in this prosecutions. Aud that the
court further instruct the jury, that this court q
Jury have no jurisdiction Of the case, it, from
The evidence, they are satisfied the prisoner
been in kentucky until brought here by legal
process to answer to this prosecution.
On the pavt of the prosecution, it was conten
ded that hv the statute of Kentucky of 1880, up.
on which the prisoner is charged, all who are
guilty of the crime there defined, are gnily ms
prinCipais-that the statute contempiates none
us accessories. That the English law is express
in assigning the jurisdiction over principals to
the place where the crime was cOnSumnlQteG,
and whose laws were violated: That the crime
charged in the indictment, was complete and
comsnm I.J.G IN ken,uckys and ha! her laws
Kentucky, consequently attached and the evil
dence fully supported the indictment. The mo-
ton the part Of the defence should, therefore,
be overrued by the court.
Judge Reid delivered his opinion, in writing
on Monday morning, in which lie decided, sub
slHutialy, that the prisoner had not violated the
law OF Kentucky. unless he aided, per Son0ty, in
the escape of the fugi,ives from Kentucky, or
was near enough to assist i'll case OF alarm or
danger lie permitted The case, however, TO go
to the jury, who had right TO judge of law and
the facts, with the charge that tthey found from
the evidence, the crime alleged was not COM
mitted in Mason county, they should find for
the accused.
The Jury retired few minutes, Sand return.
ed into court with Il verdict of NOT GUILTY.
Counsel for the observation-disclosures Y.
Payne Esq, Attorney for the Commonwealth F.;
John A. Nj Chung, John ID. Taylor, and Henry
Waller, Esqrs.
For the Prisoner-Iion. John Chambers, and
+. Il. Chambers, Esq. Mr. Vaughan, II counsel
Tor from Cincinnati, and representing the State
of Ohio, made the opening speech in the de-
fence.
The arguments Of counsel displayed degree
OF legal research and close logical reasoning,
rarely equnIled, and we are sure, never surpass.
ed at the Mason bar
We are gratiied, nay we are proud to shy,
that the most perfect order aud decoruin pre-
| vailed throughout the trial, Notwithstanding the
court house was more or less crowded from the
commencement TO the termination. The posi-
ton which we occupied, enabled us TO overlook
the assembled crowd, and If the conntenanres
of nIen reflect, with any degree of fidelity, the
emotions OF the heart, there prevailed no excite
ment of feeIing-no disposition to stretch the td,O
to suit tie particular case-but Il settled and anXi-
Gus desire that the LAW, whether it acqult or
condemn the accused should be enforced.
| Our fellow citizens Of Ohio will perceive,
from the result of this trial, that there is no dis
position on our part to interfere with their rights,
or TO Senroach upon the sovereignty OF their
State. Have we not n right to ask, in return,
that they will irown down the disposition man
Tested by portion of their citizens, to inter.
NEEDLE with rights, by melting, aiding ana
abetling the escape of slaves, which we esteem
property. and the possession of which IS Suaf'il-
teed to us by IL common constitution
Npu 10 Nr,Sr>u DonbO,>pI M Off