New-York tribune., 1842-01-29
FOUR O'cLocl

-FOUR u CLOCK.
Mr. Scden resumed his remarks by endeavoring
account for The fac, that Colt found in 20 :
session of the watch of Adams. He did this by q
variety Of hypolheses. He assumed, as proved by
Inc evidence, that few days before, Colt had the
watch for the purpose Of finding purchaser for it,
and on this mentioned number Of ways in which
e might then have kept it without resorting 10 the
terrible &c, ne comrnitted. He thence concluded
That II was absurd to suppose that the murder was
committed for the sake OF the plunder 1t was
urged, again, that from the time Of ms arrest on
Friday night although he had the power, he did not
endeavor TO put the watch out Of reach, although
the house where it was kept was no, visited until
Saturday at midday. This was utterly inconss-
with The belief that the murder was perpe-
rratcd for the sake of the watch. 1t was also oug
geslcd that the watch mi ght have been preserved
with the intention Of at sone time returning it to
the family Of the deceased.
Mr.. Selden said ii was no part of his intention
70 throw the slightest shadow over the character
Of Mr.. Adams. This affair had already brought In
Its Train too much of wretchedness and wo to allow
him for one moment to seek its increase. The act
has already been done. The name Of J. C. Colt
has been rung from end of the land to tho other
ne has been represented us whose very features
were distorted with hate, who created
for purposes OF cruelty and blood. The deed has
been done, and its consequences have followed
that had already occurred which would make mis-
cry the companion of Colt through life, and so far
his own happiness concerned, it was mat
Ter Of comparative Indifference to him what might
be their verdict
But we have evidence tha. Mr.. Adams went to
Colts room in; vexed mood now the debT OF
Colt which is proved to be only S7l, was still
enough to bring on dispute and Mr.. Selden went
and disappointment upon tempers the most ama-
bic, and from the evidence adduced upon this trial,
that we have every reason to believe that Adam.
was the aggressor.
Mr.. Seden then went on to notice the dscrepan-
cies alleged by the Counsel for the Prosecution
between the testimony introduced and the statement,
of the prisoner himself. He maintained that there
were no serious varalons-none which should be
allowed for moment to discredit the evidence
The jury were bound TO believe that the mark upon
the prisoners neck from tina, cause which
should best compou with his innocence-provded
it be as reasonable as the other. Mr.. Seldcn also
remarked upon what had been said on the other
side concerning the loan Of the saw, and other
points taken up by MIR. Smith. The testimony
concerning this, concerning the salt, from
those persons mest likely to be overthrown by the
rumultueus scenes which agitaled this city to its
centre, and caused the cry Blood blood !" to
ring through its streets Mr.. Selden said he ha.
conversed with the prisoner concerning the saw,
and he was utterly unable to conceive how either
MIR Octon= Denoce should have go, their i'm
pressions with regard to its use. With reference
TO the oath with which Mr. Colt dismissed Mr..
Walker Mr. Seden said that if lie himself were
be hung for every oath he uttered, scarcely
day he was sure would pass without u catastrophe
of this sort 1t might be difficult to defend this
language bu; it would be still more difficult to
hang q man for using it,
Mr. Selden on 10 speak with great severity
OF the course of the prosecution throughout this
whole transactions His client, he said had no,
been treated With ordinary humanity and charity
by these who had conducted this invests and
this he stood ready to prove. The means taken To
convict him bad been studioasly concealed from
both him and his counsel; examinations involving
his life carried in secret; every engine oi
the Police put in operation to compass his
lie, and the public prosecutor had lent himself 10
the bascst attempts to show tha, the prisoner had
attempted TO manufacture testimony for his de-
fence The government of this city, he maintuined
had not done its duty in this Respectively had
been less careful Of the prisoners safety than they
had any right to be. They should have stood be
tween public excitement and the prisoners rights,
and should have been careful TO exclude all mpro-
per testimony.
Mr.. Sclden charged the public prosecutor with a
deliberate attemptto inflame and irritate the
element and ferocityot the popuace by circulat-
ing and attempting 70 support the revolving state
mens that the murdered man saltcd down in
box, and that he had sought by wtne.se. utterly
unworthy of credit give this color for the use of
the crowd gathered around the City Hall. Mr..
Sclden also charged attempt TO induce Short TO
swear that the body was washed before it WAS eN
ahmed by the physicians aid this purpose. This
whoe prosecution he said had been carried on for
purposes OF victory, and the ights OF the people
sna OF the prisoner had been forced TO Weld to the
love of triumph
he exposure OF the bloody .llir, in presence Of
the bereaved widow before the crowd. the re-en-
ter1ns the grave the dragging the body OF the dc.
ceased again to the light of day and the severns
the hsad from It's decaylns trunk and It's exhibi-
bitlon IN the Court OF Justice severalv cited
as parts of the plot to arouse the feelings Of tho
great mass TO hate sgains, the prisoner and 10 y
thirst for his blood. As tending to the same po;n,
Mr. Seiden remarked with great severity upon the
evidence concerning the use of a pistol.
In conclusion Mr. Selden wished this case de-
cided according Is the strict construction OF the
Law in the light of the principle that whenever q
doubt must arise the guilt OF the prisoner that
doabs might be in favor of the prisoner. We ash
you now TO separate your minds from every thug
except the testimony which ha. been introduced.
this The prisoner before you i. entitled to
Justice and Mercy according to law, and to you |
commit his cause-tslIs believing that you viii
be able to return verdict which will satisfy your
selves and tina; YOU will bear in mind that Mercy
as we'll ss Justice is attribute Of the Criminal
Law
Mr.. Whiting asked leave =, present to correct an
error, ,hat relating the exhuma,ion Of the BODY
1t was done a, the reques, of Dr.. Mott, the witness
for the prisoner and with Mr. Ssdcn's full c-nsent