American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-02-13
THURSDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY

scriptlon of his person, and reward for his
apprehension" A practice of almost every
day occurrence, by the civil authorities; and
not only authorised by the Grand Lodge, but
rejecting the highest credit upon them for a II
the nober charities of the human heart
Mr.. P. contended that, if the counsel de
sired to escape the influence which he supposed
these publications exercised upon the public
mind that he would fail even if he removed
this case to any other court in Maryland; for
these papers were spread everywhere, and read
by everybody; or, if there could be found
twelve persons whose minds had not received
the facts as thus reported, from the circum-
stance Of their not being able to read, surely
such persons were not fit to sit in Jury box.
George r. Richardson, Esq, States Attor-
ney, (who had entered the court after the COM
mencement of the pleading, in a briefaddress,
characterized by his usual nervous eloquence,
when attracted by any matter of moment,
spoke i'll opposition to the petition lie refer
red to the aIlusion of the removal of the case
of Pooler, narrated the fact of his having been
engaged in an unfortunate duelling affair; re-
sulting in death, and other circumstances, prior
to his having committed the alleged felony i'll
this city, which so prepared the public mind,
as to case it to be said of him, ooh, | expected
something of the kind would come of him."
thereby clearly indicating that public prejudice
had prejudged the individual, from previous
history, and not in reference to the theft itself
but, nevertheless, fatal to fair and impair
tial trial in this court, i'll that particular case.
But not so, Mr.. II. commended, was the case
of McCurry. Paul Roux had come among
us as stranger; he was met by person who
protested the kindly Offices of a friend, and
was conducted 10 hotel: they roomed tOgcth-
er; and within twenty-four hours after they
had thus assumed fellowship, Paul RouX was
a murdered and mangled corpse, and his pre-
tended friend had fled, McCurry was pointed
to as the murderer; public sympathy was ava
kened for the fate of the unfortunate stranger;
the circumstances of the deed aroused holy
horror in the community, and all felt that
grievous outrage had been committed. But
who was the guilty person? Henry NIcCurry, the
roommate, who had fled; but SO deeply ncen-
ssd was public feeling, that though he had call
ed upon the rocks and hills to hide him, he
could not have escaped detection. But who
was McCurry? He was unknown; no history
of the past marked him as a subject for popu-
lar prejudice; and hence the cases are not SIM
liar. Mr. r. cared not where he might be
carried for trial, the evidences against him
were few, simple, and positive; not mere mat
tiers Of prejudice, but facts, melancholy facts,
to compel his extinction from society. Mr.. r.
referred to the circumstance of village gossip,
as giving equal publicity to matters of publlca-
ton, in a mare extended degree than would be
found to be the case i'll the city. He had no
idea of any difficulty as apprehended, and
could see no good reason for granting the re-
moval
J. Nj. Harris, Esq, replied in few remarks,
in answer to arguments of counsel for the State,
and in further abiding to the prejudice of this
community as hazardous to the interest Of his
client
The decision Of the Court will be given to-
morrow.
We have thus briefly as possible alluded to
the course of arguments of counsel in this
case, and regret our limits will not permit a
more extended notice. We cannot close, how
ever, without doing what we conceive to be an
act of justice to Mr.. Harris, in his capacity as
counsel. Though we differ with hun in refer
ence to the matters of publication, &c., we take
pleasure and pride in saying that, for legal
tact, arrangement of matter, chasteness Of
language, beauty of style, oratory and manner,
we have never witnessed more splendid eff
fort at the Baltimore Bar. Mr.. II. is young
man, and we do not know but this is his maid
EN- effort in criminal case; but he has certain
ly won golden opinions, in reference TO his for
ensc abilities, not only among the most able
members Of the bar but among all who heard
him, many of whom were taken by surprise,
having no previous knowledge of his capacity
either as a lawyer or an orator.
Isaac Britton, (colored,) charged with steal
ing a quantity Of money, &C., the property of
Mrs. Amos, was found guilty. Sentence sus-
pended.
Matthias Nicholson, for assaulting Samuel
Dinsmore and John Cook, was fined 81 and
cost in each case.
Francis Turner and Polly Bushrod, charged
with assauting Mr.. c. Peters, aud robbing him
of "a watch, were found guilty. Sentence sus-
pended.
Aranetta Bradford, for keeping disorderly
house, was sentenced to be imprisoned one day.
The Court adjourned till ten O'Clock to-
morrow.