The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-06-12
TRIAL OF ..
COL. MONROE EDWARDS.
FOR FORGERY.
Court of Oyer md Tcrmincr.
Before Judge Kent and Aldermen Balls and Hatfel


JUNE 1.-THE avenues TO the Court room were 6l,e5
with the densest crowd that pied them before
eight O'Clock in the morning, and their numbers were
continually augmented by fresh arrivals The officers in
attendance who far too few in number for the ardu
Gus duties they had to perform After almost superhu
man exerons succeeded In far making lane as to al
entrance Of the Judges Jurors and reporters
with number Of ladies who had been attracted by the
well earned fame of Mesrs. Marshall and Crittendu and
the oher speakers IN this singular trial. into the Court
room. u
AT eleven O'Clock the Court room being densev crowd
ed the crer proclaimed the opening Of the Court and the
names of the jurors called when all answered Col
was dressed at all points as yesterday excepting
that he had on frilled shirt. 81 IN
JupGE KENT, the opening OF the Court said he wish.
ed to remind the audience that the slightest manifestation
powers ofthe Court.
Mr. MARSHALL then resumed his address. and in com.
mencng said wish to make correction. has been
suggested 10 me by the Counsel on the opposite side tina.
made mssatcment last night. thas been stated to me
that the letter signed Maunsel, White Co., to Messrs.
Brown, Brothers x Co., which stated to have been
sworn to, as having been Mr.. Edwards writing by Mr.
Tappan was not submitted to that gentleman and having
asccrtaned that such the fact that not shown TO
Mr. Tappan, cheerfuly make the correction Gentle.
men, referred last night to the circumstance of money
amount of $4,000. Well they have proved that Jno p
Caldwell defrauded Brown, Brothers Co. of $40 600 and
this that he at least have had possession of
$4,000 addition the which they saw he defaud
ed Messrs brown Brothers Co. of. What do they do
to account for his2 they see that il is fatal objection
to the second presumption of guilt from the possession of
money. Why they bring Mr.. Corrie here, who says
What does he say' That Monroe Edwards dcfranded
himf No, that Jno P. Caldwell defrauded him of
| $4,000. What has this to do with this easel But
what do we prove We prove by Miss Phillips that
Monroe Edwards he'd an amount Of money nearly cnunl
| in amount to that found in his possession NJ date
anterior to hedate which he is charged with having
got this money OF Brown Brothers Co we have ike
wise proved by the documents which have been laid he
fore you thaonoe Edwards received this sum of money
at date anterior to the showing of it to Miss Phillips and
anterior long to the date which the money was OBJ
tanned by this fraud then about this bag does not the evil
dence show that Monroe Edwards received gold in Ba
more long previous to this time and could he nol is II not
probable that he did from the evidence this bag at
that Time in that place. is i not in proof that he was ar
rested in Philadelphia amonth afterwards and there rot on
the evidence which had been given this cause hut from
information of different uaureN did he not implore that
he should be informed Of the charge which he was
arrested and he informed of it hard measure this
in these United States Of America that man should be
arrested and his property clothing papers ycryhinr
but what he had his back seized; hard measure this 10
be meted on such grounds and all this is done without
finding asinge evidence amongst all these papers,
what do they say to this that he that ACCOMPLISHED
cunning, dextrous thoughtful, prudent thief that he
would not leave any trace of his guilt take them their
words and what does that this thoughtful pr,ent
man should go in the open light Of day 10 all the banks in
Batmorel and cash these checks this monstrous can
conceive possible that he would so act and after
all this, he remains in Phadelphiamdwsy between New
York and the scene of his operations for month why
this and pride in showing how he battle the LAWYERS
and escape the consequences in all these circumstances
there smoothing incompatible with innocence; but there
are multudes which incompatible with uui: had
never conversed with any of the witnesses before en-
tersd the court and could not but remark the difference
between those the part of the prosecution and those on
the part Of the defence there strange compound of
qualities in his characte faithful to his kindred true to
the death to his mistress Our other Witnesses are also as
unmpeachable they all entitled credit here Col
Webb Of the regular army entered and took in the
the weekly Herald which reporter had into the
Court Room our tavern keepers do swear their
tavern keepers do and Mr. Elder that Monroe Ed
wards was Ia Baltimore either the 3ls August
| September--he don't know which. Now we have proved
that he was elsewhere the 3lst August he was
at Baltimore on the LIST september it is impossible that he
could have been at Richmond the I'd September land
therefore could not be the John Caldwell who
thu t,orr
erul combination there has been convict nv client
of this crime this Is crime which be defended if
must be met with Clear cold argument may be permit
ted before sit down to make remark; Ttrangresscd
last night the rules OF the forum Iranscendcd the pro-
pretes of the place and know was under favor Of this
court and that favor and courtesy extended to m as
s anS sangr and here under
not do this appeal to you on behalf Of my client
got Tor moment what owed to you and to myself mo-
ments cool refec ton has satisfied that ought not to
have done SO that need not have done ought to
have remembered that connected with the counsel
am ought to have been sufficient guarantee for me
have beside whom am proud to be beside one who
has been and whom claim to have been my first master
in jurisprudence and farther that to have been bed
friend of my youth that call him nv friend and
master is guarantee to the whole world for my faith and
honor arrayed in the panoply Of his friendship feel
been cast upon me- and feel them not Mr. Marshall con-
cluded at 20 minutes past y and at the conclusion Of this
speech there were several distinct rounds Of applause
which neither the Judge the officers could prevent
Alter some slight conversation between the different
/ counsel % it sE
Mr. HorrMar rose and said :-n the coursc Of the re-
marks which may make to you shall adhere strictly to
the evidence laid before YOU Iagrce with gentleman
who has spoken that the presumption to be granted
the prisoner that burden Of the proof is upon the pro-
secuon and that such proof must be strong and
guilty Permit me- gentlemen to say to You that the
question which is before you is not whether he forged
mmateral the question is and what charge him WITH
is uttering that letter knowing he forged and If you
are satisfied Of this must find him guilty of this charge
olIudpd In The of ID bo,,r
this place, away from his friends why, he could be tried
nowhere else and this point refer Wendell 500
the case Of the people against Rathbone where is laid
down that the trial must take place where the uttersnce
has been proved he. The counsel have alluded the
proof Why gentlemen, did you not expect that the per-
who committed these forgeries with an astueness
cunning and sagacy which astounded the
with the iron holiness mind conceive and the will to
execute these frauds which should sagacy Of
experienced merchants Did you not expect that he
would come into court prepared 10 meet any charges
which might be preferred against himf The counsel
have referred to his being poor Gentlemen he is rich
man Where are the 10000 Of land in Texas est
mated by eaguesl Where the $40 900 which will be
restored to him IL he is acquitted of this crime VIII It
not be restored to him Isnot greater incentive
exerons OF his counsel that this should depend
upon the result ofher exerons They have complained
that did not produce this testimony at FIRST Is Il TO be
wondered at that fresh testimony should spring up contin
ually in confederation Of such charges these Gentle
they have appealed you that he is respecta
| rule OF law which foibids the introduction of
testimony as to character by the prosecution un.
less the defence first opens the door. They have not
done so; and hazard nothing in saying that their udg
ment forbade them to do First then have shown
man at Philadelphia, who without on the 9th
July and this man must raise means and he writes
Maunsell White and Co. They believing the tale which
he tells write letter in that their correspondents
in New York are Brown. Brothers & Co. Whoey or the
| H. 8. Hill was who wrote the letter, it is plain that
letter written by person to obtain the signature
| which they might FORGE and pass to Nessrs. Brown
Brothers 6 Co. Here ii. s. Hill disappears and these
facts the letter signed Jno. p. Caldwell Is written ask
you from the evidence these letters show whether If Mon
Edwards had been arrested you would
considered them both 10 have been written by person
| | am you would where H. s. Hill when the
letter of the 9th was written-it written AZ Jones'
Hotel and Philadelphia and it is admitted that Monroe
Edwards there and at that Hotel that time H. 3.
Hill did make his appearance till the l2th. three days
AFTER How does come, that in II. s. Hills letter, J. r.
Caldwes and Monroe Edwards letters, should all have
nhara randna