American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-08-24

| soh' liz was sOon uIleI put upon his TRIAL, ant
the circumstantial testimony being very strong
| he was convicted. His counsel, neverthe less
manifested great interest in his behalf, and made
strenuous effort to obtain new trial. The
matter was argued at great length before the
Court, bnt all that could be obtained at the mo-
ment was postponement of the decision.
The counsel of the accused then visited New
York, and while there, saw eight respectable
citizens who stated that they were ready to
swear that Edwards was in that city at the
time the robbery was committed. He examin-
ed the way bill of the cars, the day on which
Edwards said he had entered New York, and
found his name on the list of passengers. He
also examined the return way-bill for the same
day, and the name of Edwards was not there.
On his return to the city of the robbery, lie
called upon the Prosecuting Attorney of the
Commonwealth, and stated the facts we have
detailed. 1t was ascertained, however, that on
more than one occasion, Edwards had changed
his name, and the officer of the State asked
why such change? Why in New York had he
passed as John Edwards, and in another city as
William Edwards? In reply the accused said
his bad character was the cause-that he vas
known and regarded as a pickpocket-and
hence he was often compelled to resort to
means of disguise. The Attorney for the Com
monwcalth then inquired, where he was to OBJ
tain the money which he proposed to pay to
Mr.. Henderson, with the object of securing the
release of Lawson1 In reply Edwards said he
would obtain it from II highly respectable gen.
tleman of the city in which they were.
"Who is that gentleman"
"Before / can answer that question, | must
obtain permission Of my friend"
His counsel conferred moment with Ed
wards, whereupon the latter exclaimed, 81 think
the permission may be obtained" And then,
placing his hand upon his forehead, he paced
the room for few moments, and as the result
of his reflection, exclaimed
ait cannot be. 1t is impossible; have pledg-
ed my honor"
CO,nset.-It is your only chance of avoiding
a sentence.
EdloardS. lam wholly innocent of the charge
of which have been convicted. will endure
the Imprisonment to which am about TO lie
doomed, with all its shame and degradation, if
escape can only be purchased by violation Of
my honor.
Counsel. Have you any objection to my see
ing the friend who has offered TO provide you
with the money, and comforting with him con-
fidentially, as to the facts of the casc'
EdlCGrdS. | have none, provided that you
ICRdlu lIIO indIl6I dS slElClly COUUuenIlul) anu
also that you inform him at the same time, that
he is safe, perfectly safe; and that under no cir
cumstances, without his sanction, will his name
be divulged.
Accordingly, Mr. Williamson, one of the
most distinguished citizens of the city in which
the robbery occurred was waited upon by the
counsel of Edwards He was surprised and
somewhat agtated at first, and remained few
minutes lost in thought He then caught up
his hat and exclaimed
"Sr, will accompany you to the Office Of
the Prosecuting Attorney"
On arriving there, he was introduced, and the
following conversation occurred.
Prosecuting attorney. Mr.. Williamson, will
you be kind enough to state, if within your
knowledge, where Edwards obtained the money
with which he proposes to secure the release of
Lawson?
Williamson. From me sir
Attorney From you, Mr.. williamson?
Williamson. Yes, sir.
Attorney Will you be good enough to &C
count for the interest which you evidently feel
for parties such as these? 1t is not usual for a
gentleman of your standing and character to
manifest such sympathy for convicted pick
pockets. This language is plain, sir;-but it is
my duty to use it, under the circumstances.
MIR. Williamson was silent for several minu-
ties, and much agitated. "Sir," he said at
length, tears falling fast from his eyes, "La,s-
son Is my brother-a brother have not seen for
more than quarter of century. But, with
all his errors and misconduct, cannot forget
the years of our early boyhood; when our
hearts were bound together by the strongest
cords of affection, when we We'd with each
other in good deeds to win mothers approx
ing smile-when we both were young, inno-
cent and happy. He may have had many and
stronger temptations than others. His early
nature was gentle and yielding, and although
his course had caused me many bitter pangs,
and our paths had been widely apart-whe n
was informed of his situation, and was told
that few hundred dollars might avert severe
and ignominous sentence, and give him ano
Their chance to retrace his steps and restore his
character, did not hesitate for an instant.
of course would greatly prefer that my name
shonld not be connected with this transaction;
although feel satisfied, that no one who has
heart, or who has ever felt and responded to
| fraternal feelings, would condemn my conduct
Edwards and Lawson have, | believe, been
long associated But | have scarcely any
knowledge of the former, and, as | have al
ready stated, have for more than quarter of
q century had no intercourse with my still low
ed but erring brother But the efforts of Ed
wards to avert his tate, must not through the
means of any concealment on my part, be the
means of visiting him with punishment, for an
offence, of which now believe that he was en-.
tirey innocent. | have the beast reason Il
know that he was not the companion of my
brother on the occasion of the robbery. That
in charging him as such, Mr.. Henderson made
a frighttul mistake; and that the real accomplish
and companion on that occasion, was well
known offender named Fitzgibbon."
We need scarcely add that the Prosecuting
Attorney, after careful investigation of al
the circumstances, being satisfied that Edwards
was merely actuated by friendship for Lawson