The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1847-11-22
TRIAL FOR MURDER.
The People VS.. James K. Pol


John Tyler appears for the prisoner, and Mr.
J. @. Adams for the people.
The witnesses introduced by Mr.. Adams to
prove the charge were, Winfield Scott, Zacha-
ry Taylor, Caleb Cushing, Alexander Slidell
Mackenzie, Commodore Conner, Mr.. Trist
Elihu Burritt, and Lord Ashburton.
The following is part of Caleb Cushing's
testimony
Am brigadier general in the invading
army. Commenced my military career six
months ago. Learned the art of war from
books. Think l could write good proclama-
ton, or make war speech in Latin, Spanish,
or Chinese. Have seen a utensil called a
sword. Had one presented to me in Boston
by Robert Rantoul, jr., who instructed me
how to use it. l don't think of shedding
blood with it, Mr.. Rantoul being peace man
and against taking life even for the greatest
crimes. Know how to hold sword. 1t is
held by the handle at an assault, and by the
blade at a surrender. Have practiced with
mine both modes. Think l can soon learn to
march and countermarch by watching the mo-
tons of more experienced officers. Received
"plain gold ring" for the military services I
was to render in Mexico. Was wounded in
my ANGLE at Matamoras in an affair with Mexi-
can. Don't know exactly what we are fight
ing about. Think war is justifable inasmuch
as 1t enables the government to appoint its
friends to office. 1t also makes heroes, with
which afterwards to make presidents.
Don't exactly know to which political
party belong. Supposed l was wing until
a few weeks since received notice that the
democratic party in Massachusetts nominated
me as candidate for governor of that state
so suppose l am democrat, but don't know
certain. Think l shall be Taylor man if the
generals prospects look favorable. I always
think well of party in power until another
party is likely to succeed it, in which case
hold it wise to join the last party. Have held
opinions-or rather have expressed opinisns
very strongly against war. That was before
received my commission. Don't believe in
anything like political integrity. Worked
hard in the Massachusetts legislature for the
clothing for the soldiers backs-also for the
epaulettes for my own shoulders. Think this
effort made me democrat, if am one"
Mr.. Tyler placed the defence on the follow
ing grounds
LIST. That the acts committed by the pris-
oner were justiiable.
I'd. That they were not committed by him,
but by congress.
Sd. That the prisoner was INSANE when he
committed them.
The following is an extract from his opening
argument:
II shall not attempt to prove the insanity
of the prisoner by medical evidence. but by
circumstances in his history known to you ali.
Insanity exhibits itself variously in different
individuals, and often when the patient ap-
pears perfectly rational to the public and to
xn personal friends. One of the most COM
mon forms in which it manifests itself is in
kind of mental illusion by which the patient
imagines himself some great parsonage, OF
else capable of performing great acts. 1t is
this form of insanity under which the un-
happy prisoner at the bar has been suffering
He has labo,ed for several years past under
strange delusion that he is capable of manag-
ing the affairs of great nation. He has even
imagined that his administration was to be
marked by some grea. event which would aid
in giving him fame in his country's history.
1t was under this delusion that he committed
the acts which caused the destruction of these
persons whose violent deaths have brought
him to trial.
81 might state other circumstances whlsR
go strongly to prove the unsound state OF the
prisoners mind. 1t is only a few months
since that ne wandered away Itom ms AoAAe
and was afterwards found by his friends some
five hundred miles off, racing bareheaded
through the streets of the eastern cities, and
followed by shouting train of boys and men.
Being an elderly man. of respectable appear
ance, he was kindly taken care Of and human
ly treated by the mayors Of those cities. until
te could be returned TO his friends in safety
1.-THE enormity of the crimes committed by
the prisoner is another and most convincing
proof of his insanity. Only look. gentlemen
of the jury, at the magnitude of the offence.
the awful number of the victims, and the
cost of the sacrifice. Only picture to your
selves the scene of slaughter, the thousands of
bloody corpses, the tens of thousands of