Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-12-10

- -.-te.He
half \ century ago. Being then young
man, lust entering on profession III
which good speaking was very important,
il was natural ior me to observe the oratory
Of celebrated men.
In executing = mission from the Synod
Of Virginia, in the year 1874, had 70
pass through the county of Prince Edward,
vher. Mr.. Henry resided. Understanding
that he was to appear before the Circuit
Court which met in that county, IN DEL
encc of three men charged with murder,
| obtained seat in front Of the bar,
where | could have u full view of the
speaker, as well as hear him distinctly.
But had TO submit to = severe penance
in gratifying my curiosity for the whole
day was occupied with the examination OF
witnesses. in which he was aided by two
others. In person, MrH. was lean rather
than feshy. He Wa. rather above than
below the common height, but had stoop
in the shoulders which prevented HIM
from appearing as tall as he really was.
In his moments of animation, be had the
habit of Strengthening his frame, and ad-
ding to his apparent stature, tie wore
brown wig, which exhibited no indication
of any great care in the dressing. Over
his shoulders he wore q brown camlet
cloak. Under this his clothing was black,
something the worse for wear. The ex-
pression of his countenance was that OF
solemnity, and deep earnestness. Ills
mind appeared to be always absorbed IN
what, for the time, occupied his attention
His forehead was high and spacious, and
the skin of his face moro than usually
wrInkled for man of fifty. His eyes
were small and deeply set in his head, but
we're of bright blue color, and twinkled
much in their sockets. In short, Mr..
Henry appearance had nothing very re-
uarkabIe as he sat at rest. You mi ght
readily have taken him for common
planter, who cared very little about his
personal appearance. In his manners he
was uniformly respectful and courteous.
Candles were brought into the Court House
whom the examination Of the witnesses
closed and the Judges put 1t to the
option Of the bar, whether they would go
on with the argument that night, or ad-
iourn until the next day. Paul Caring
ton, Jr, the attorney for the State, man
of large size, and uncommon dignity Of
: person aud manner ,as also an accomplished
, lawyer, professed his willingness to pro-
: ceed immediately, whilst the testimony
was fresh in the minds of all. Now, toi
: the first time, heard Mr.. Henry make
, anything of speech and though 1t wa'
A short, it satisfied me Of one thing, whlet
: | had particularly desired to have decided,
: namely, whether like player he merely
assumed the appearance of feeling liz
manner of addressing the Court was pro-
souudly respectful. He would be willing
to proceed with the trial, but, said he
..my heart is so oppressed with the weight
of responsibility which rests upon me
having the lives of three fellow citizen:
depending, probably, on the exertlor
which may be able to make IN their be
half. there he turned to the prisoner:
= behind him. that do not feel able t'
T. proceed tonight. hope the Court vii
II indulge me, and postpone the trial til
morning" The impression made by thes'
few words was such as assure myself NJ
one can ever conceive, by seeing them IL
lie print. In the countenance, action, and in
tonation Of the speaker, there was ex
pressed such an intensity Of feeling, tina
all my doubts we're dispelled never agalr
lie did | question whether Henry felt, O.
only acted q feeling. Indeed, l expert
enced an instantaneous sympathy with hin
): i'm the emotions which he expressed AM
s. 7 have no doubt the same sympathy va
felt by every hearer
As matter of course, the proceeding
were deferred till the next morning.
was early at my post the judges wer
soon on the bench, and the prisoners a
the bar. Mr.. afterwards Judge Caring
ton, opened with clear and digni6e'
speech, and presented the evidence to tn
= Jury. Everything seemed perfectly plain
Two brothers and q brother-in-law me
g two other persons in pursuit Of slave
4 supposed to be harbored by the brothers
e After some alteration and mutual abuse
r. one of the brothers, whose name was Joh'
Il Ford, raised loaded gun which he wa
k CARRYING, and, presenting it to the brea'
of one of the other pair, shot him dead II
open day. There was no doubt about tn
n fact Indeed it was not denied. Ther
If had been no other provocation than oppro
q brious words. 1t is presumed that tn
r. opinion Of every juror was made up fror
v merely hearing the testimony; as Ior