The New York herald., 1845-03-28
Trial OF "Big Thunder" the Anti-Renter,
mt Hudson
Court OF Oyer ana Terminer.

Court or Oyer and Terminer.
HrpsoN, Wednesday, March 26, 1s45.
According to adjournment the evening before, the
Court assembled at half past O'clock precisely Some
delay was caused the absence of the prisoners
Court remarkable for punctusIity The prisoner
Big Thunder" appears better in health and spirits now
than at the commencement Of the trial. and here not
much like despair or dscoverabe in his mien
called 80 r'''eS''A'
Ambrose RooT, who was sworn-I live at Claverack;
was at the anti-rsnt meeting at Smokey Hollow the
18TH Of December; saw Dr. Boughton there; had
conversation with him.
Mr. JORDAN enquired what was meant to be proved by
this.
DsrRlcr ATTORNEY said that it was proposed to prove
mat Or Boughton was the Big Thunder, to which the
Mr. JORDAN replied it was too late to shut the stable
door when the horse was solen they proposed prove
ne was the Big Thunder OF Copake proper, but
70 ms being such at Smokey Hollow that had bearing
Mr. Jordan would be allowed the benefit of the oh con
WITNEss.-This conversation wss at Smokey Hollow
on the 18Th December before his arrest introduced
to Dr.. B. and shook hands with him; "this is anti
rent mans hand, can tell from the feeling"
said he; he went on, saying we were in favor Of
the rights OF the people and OF Polk and Dallas replied
that was for equal rights, but perhaps views
aot the same; said If had COW, and he had 1000
acres Of land the same law and equal right: would pre-
serve my well as his and ssid didn't like this
dhguise business: that they took the wrong method to
obtain redress Of grievances the Doctor replied the
II.
lection of rents give chance to investigate the title
as Gerret Smith had done he would pledge his honor that
not another man would appear in caico that he would
alay tue in three days. and he the only
man who could do il: then he into the ball room
from where we were talking at the head of the stairs
soon alter he came out again and said to something
about Polk and Dallas: IN recollect he said
I'VE embrace Clay men well Polk and Dallas" that
all the conversation then: went into the bali room
while being invited in by some one not who
wanted some person well acquainted with the citizens
Claverack: he did not tell for what purpose: did
M Un a ofn h,Ifa
time people with and without disguise going out
ana IN, and acitizen came up to me and said
CoURT-All that il inadmissible.
Dnr. ArTonNEr-It is not objected to, sir.
a, CounT-WeH, onJecAto. 1t; will not receive any
WIrNEss-Aaer half an hour went in. the door keen
er passed mein; there was no difficulty in going in
some persons in Disguise and who not; after
TWO minutes person in disguise went the anti.
rent ROOM and touched the latch, and the seemed
ba fastened he raped and said big Thunder wishes to
enter, the door opened, and he WENT :"
Mr. JORDAN here renewed his objections TO this testi
nony a. dangerous aud loose: DR. Bonghtons being
here when no resis'ance was ccmwitted, # i'm
potance and could not prove his identity with the Bg
Thunder Of Copake. ANY could assume the fcti,i
'ous tide OF Big Thunder and the looses sort Of
evidence possible were conceded that Big Thun
der was Dr. Boughoo on this occasion. The essertal
point was who was the Big Thunder who committed the
net: with which he prisoner stands charged, and which
ook At Copske and that was the point to stick to-
Judge PAnKER said, that as yet heard of bnt
one Big Thunder and his being concerned in several
transactions was desirable make those enquiries
the objection, therefore, was not well put.
WIrNEa-He came out Of the room in about minute;
he got opposite and asked If perfon named Ambrose
Root was there: said there was, that my he
said he wished me to leave the said invited
there he said he did it with all courtesy that they had
some business Of their to transact and then
disguise, the front pis walking round there then
they came down to the street. marching in Indian file
and went on don't know how far and turned back
supposed saw the ssms disguise aiter that he came
on the piazza and said there would be speech delivered
~ person from Rensselaer, county, in hour and
to hno1a anfk Al
clsrkes the Lvngstons the Rensselaer, and Smiths
land cams he stated their were peacsabe and
mat their object was honorsby to petition the Legisa
tenants asked the masked why, if their inten
lions were Psaceable, they came thus armed: he
be out there with posse Of loaers and Irishmen
20 arrest Big Thunder and incarcerate him in Jail
md that the orders Of our chefs to come armed
and protect our persons; be went on to svmnath;ze
bout the accident. and with the young man who was
killed. and said a. the natives" noblehesred el
lows they would defrsy the expenses Of the funeral
then this went and in about three quarters of an
hour Dr. Boughton out and made speech he spoke
land claims in about the same order as the man
who styiedi himself Bigs Thunder named them,
with Biz tine
opinions spoke othe death the boy and regretted
very much said the the natives" would procure medi.
the expenses Of the funerals probably were 900 peo
pie there near could estimatein the neighborhood
d 200 in disguise; this place a 2 10 miles from Copske:
Big Thunder had at Smokey Hollow mask of redish
cast and think he at the head of the company on
hat occasion, when they marched in file: in CON-
hand to person called Little Thunder. and gave di
rectons for the natives TO orm and to clear the lower
ior me sdes which we: done: he gave directions
DnrRIcr ArroRNEY.-From what you saw and heard
IN that occason, who was Big Thunder
Mr. JoRpAN-I object to that. sir.
The Court everruled the objection as Il was IN and de-
cided before
wirsEs..-I was of opinion it was Dr. Bosghton from
Looks at the dresses)-I won't swear positive but
mink that was Big Thunder's dress it Is either that or
one that ressmbss NJ IL was present when DR. Boughton
evening OF the same the long ball roon there
dozen or fifteen in the was near the Sheriff
said Dr. Boughton, you are my prisonero did not see
any one pointing him out to the Sheriff: Dr. B. said You
are sS,.!@ mstakenyou have nothing against me" The
Sherin REPLIED am not: got acquainted with you at
Copake.l measured you Doctor-Isaw your eyes, your
size, and your feet" The Doctor asked him BY what
authority ne arrested him the Sheriff replied by virtue
cf civil process" rtcolIect more, only the Sheriff
assstsrc to take him down to the and
before we got to il scuis ensued from thes time we
came down from the ball room until got the coach
might be half or three quarters Of an hour: BIT
busy time: rode with them home: heard some converse
hat they could harm him ior:" the Sheriff said, You
have just presented pistol at me to shoot me Dr. B.
replied. What would any man have done under such
pistol to you:" he pulled it out Of his pocket saying
loaded and hred It coach window and gave
among
coectvely but can't recall much Of II: Dr. going
along was talking Of taking no mans property: the
sheriff replied, Yes, you have tsken my property y
What property 2" said Dr. B. my papers at Copake
replied the sheriff: to which he made no answer that
heard loaned the Doctor my overcoatthe one he had
on was torn all but the sleeves gone. was dark
color.
Cres~e.amined- II was very cold day; first Joined
the Sheriff mile and half this side Of my house; his
carriage stopped little below Il; they wheeled about
and headed towards Hudson; Arst saw sedgwick at
Smokey Hollow; the sheriff enquired Of me before he got
into the carriage about DR. Boughton Mr. Munnell who
was there did not ask to describe him; the Sheriff
went up hrst to the back room; the Sheriff looked at
Boughton up and down; did say significantly; did
not see Boughten when nrst came In: when did he
was facing the north end when entered; was within
foot or two when tse Sheriff up to him., the
were others as near him me, bnt none between US
when he was arrested did not Mr. Munnell At this
time; and the snerf the only two Of party
ecolect saw Mr. Michael who saii to they here
- take Boughoo,'' ajht say any thing 10 him when
hrst went up to hIm Don't recolect of seeing Bedng
IN disguise VA the don't know whether hose
present we're citizens Oi this county not: they esked
me whether B. was up there's the Sheriff sthed me If
had seen him: my house he asked my MD and essat