Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-11-06
From the Public Ledger.
McLEOD'S TRIAL.
Circuit Court and Oyer and Isrmincr Of
Oneida County.

Judges charge.
TUESDAY, O'Clock.
AS it was known that Judge Grdlcy
would charge the jury this afternoon, the
Courthouse was crowded with anxious
auditors. a large proportion Of them being
ladies, who presented an ample display Of
beauty and intelligence, many of them be-
ing fair enough to excite one sigh when we
reflected that in all probability we would
never again look on their lovely faces.
At few minutes after two o'clock Judge
Gridley rose and delivered the following
CHARGE.
Gentlemen Of the Jury:
congratulate you on your al length
arriving at the present stage Of TINS long
protracted trial. After your patience hav-
ing been drawn upon for SIX days i'll list
ening to the trial, and day and a half in
hearing to the arguments Of counsel. you
have at last arrived at that period where
you are called on to discharge the last and
deeply solemn duty which devolycs upon
YOU. | congratulate you, also, upon the
suspicious circumstances under which YOU
approach the performance OF this duty.
We know, it is true, that a deep and
fcrvd interest is felt in this case through
out the entire land; we are also aware that
portion Of the public press has from the
commencement of this controversy tccmcd
with inhammatory and passionate articles.
We have likewise heard vi popular COM
motion in various parts of the county
where the indictment against the prisoner
was found. Still. though these disturbing
influences may prevail elsewhere, wc can
at least say that they have not entered the
solemn temple Of Justice. If the waves OF
excited popular feeling have swept aiOng
into other quarters, they have not reached
the portals of this building, ConseCrated a.
it is to the faithful administration Of that
Justice to which the people aud the prisoner
alike appeal.
Dung the proceedings here. it may also
be remarked, we have seen attentive audi
tors in the persons Of loyal subjects Of
: Great Britain, who not long since were in
arms in defence of their SOIL and, oh the
other hand. We had the presence OF more
than one distinguished actor in the scenes
: of blood and suffering connected with thu
recent abortive attempt at revolution IL the
! Canadian Provinces, Yet these individuals,
as we'll as others who have been present,
must have been deeply interested auditors
, and spectators of what has occurred. not a
: single ebullitiDu of excited feeling has eS-
' capped.
All has been quictncss and good order,
and Il signal proof has been given that
$ here is spot where Justice can be purely
: administered. and that here, if no where
: else. the decision Of an upright, intelligent,
D and honest ury will be acknowledged SOY
1 1, yt..r
= picious circumstances that | invite you,
gentlemen, to the questions connected with
this great and important case.
Allow me To offer = single additional
: passing remark, and it is this: in order
to appreciate properly the questions on
I which YOU are to pronounce your Judg-
mcnt, it will be necessary that you should
5 keep Your minds entirely uncmbarra>scd
bv the consideration of other matters
2 which have in reality nothing whatever to
: do with the merits Of the case.
The counsel on one side and the 9TH,
r as it was their duty and right, have pre-
I >cntcd such arguments and discussed such
topics as they deemed likely to serve the
= interests Of the parties whom they repre-
+ sent. But the tribunal which tries has
also duties to perform. altogether different
/ from those incumbent on the advocates
entrusted with the interests Of those VIII"
It are placed at its bar, Tie case Of this
prisoner. gentlemen. may simply say, is
i to be tried like that Of any other person
u indicted for the same offence.
The first question is, has any murder
5 been committed! and the second question
l. ISIS prisoner at the bar guilty of that
II murder?
l. On the first question. gentlemen, the SUI
prcme Court of this State, a> YOU have
! already learned. during the progress of the
- trial. have passed. Their authority is bind
ing on you and me. We arc sitting here
to dispense justice in the Circuit Court
and must be governed by the decision OF
that superior tribunal. which has sent down
- this issue to hc tried here. That then is
- no longer an open question: but an adIud.,
i, Gated one, and with it YOU have no concern
The circumstances ont Of which this in,
"A dictmcnt originates are briefly thcsc:-lr
December. 1881, body OF Canadian ref
q ugccs and American citizens occupied Ma
10 w lsand--fortihed themselves there anc
e OPENED canonadc upon the Canadian mar
nj shore, where some $500 or 3OO0 men were
n. assembled to protect their territory. AiC
ri was offered to these occupants of Navy Is
A. land by certain individuals in Buffalo: au'
one William Wells, the owner Of the steam
boat Caroline, for the purpose of promo
"a, ,;nc hiC own iptnrNStS 3S hn SNCClrS hCtOrt