The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-06
Correspondence Of the Union.1
The Treason Trials at Philadelphia.


Mr.. Editor You are aware, doubtless, that the sab
ject which present occupies the minds OF the peo
pie of this city is the treason trials progress here
On Monday, the 2llh ult the Jurors attendance the
circuit court called, and Tuesday fixed for the
ragnment of the first OF the prisoners. Accordingly
the next morning, after some preliminary discussion be-
tween the counsel for the United States and the counsel
for the prisoners, Cashier Runaway arragned, and
pleaded mot guilty" There is quite array of distn
gushed counsel present For the United States, John
w. Aehmead, district attorney; Robert Brent esq, at
torney general of the State of Maryland and Mr. Sena
tor Cooper, Of this State For the prisoner John Nj.
Read. David Paul Brown. Theodore Cuyler, Joseph j.
Lewis, esques, and tho Hon. Thaddeus Stevens Be-
sides the above-named gentlemen there assisting the
counsel of the United States, Messrs Geo. w. Ashmead
and James Ludlow, young members Of the Philadelphia
bar and the side Of the prisoner Mess Jackson and
PeaIcc.
Two days spent in selecting a jury, and good
deal Of difficulty experienced in finding Jurors
who had not formed and expressed opinions in rela
ton to the transaction which constitutes the principal
overt act charged in the indictment There was some
discussion what constituted sufficient to authorize
a challenge for cause, which was principally conducted
by Mr. Cooper the part OF the United States. and Mr.
Read on the part OF the defendant though other gentle
men on each side occasionally participated. II correctly
understood the ruling OF Judge Grer in this respect. il
was that when Juror had formed and expressed opn
ion as whether the acls done at Chrsana constituted
treason or not, he disqualified Messrs Cooper and
Ashead coniended that unless the juror had connected
the prisoners with the acts done in the opinion which he
had formed and expressed, he was not disqualified
Mess Read and Stevens insisted that the formation and
expression OF opinion that the act was or not
treason was bias which the law would not tolerate in
Juror; that there treason without traitor; and
that in pronouncng the act treason he pronounced the
actor a traitor Mr. Cooper quoted Callenders case,
where John Basset, the Juror said he had formed and
expressed opinion that the book libel, but not
that Calender the publisher and commended that this
proved that the courts had heretofore distinguished be-
tween opinions expressed regard to the and the
actors. The court ultimately ruled that in treason the
expression OF opinion that the act reasonable
disqualified inasnuch as 10 constitute treason the nten-
ton and the act OF the person committing il be con-
current
Mr. John w Ashmead, the United States district aor-
ney, opened the TO the jury in very elaborate
speech, rather address, prepared-wrlten ouand
which he read to the jury The argument certainly
good one, and contained review only Of the law Of
treason exists the United States bat also of the
legislation the subject OF slavery both by Congress
and the legislature OF this State Written speeches are
| never effective extemporaneous efforts, and this
one did differ from others of its class poetic quota
lions and all member OF the bar Whispered me during
he delivery, not this opening pierced for gun,
than il carries'" But, although il may have had les,
weigh, with the jury. il will be instructive, doubt not
when read in the closet | must think, however, Mr.
Ashmead would have done better, far this
concerned had he pursued the usual course and trusted
his own powers in tIiempore opening 10 the jury.
II has been said that some misunderstanding has ex
| listed between Mr. Ashmead and Messrs Brent and
Cooper in relation to certain preliminary slpulations A
to the conduct OF the cause but have NANTES
taton of anything of the kind far in the progress
the trial. perhaps with the exception of impatien
movement now and then, on the part of the latter gen
tlemcn, when the juniors Of whom have spoken mani
fest too much eagerness enlighten the court will
their views.
! The defence is ably represented by the gentlemen
have heretofore named Mr. Stevens has the reputation
of being an excellent criminal lawyer and very elo
quent advocate and John Nj. Read is certainly yer,
thorough lawyer and able Messrs Stevens ant
Cooper are old competitors the bar, and il is under
stood they somewhat aniagonstical TO each other
Mr. Cooper is firm and distinguished supporter of III,
compromise measures, and Mr. Stevens il equally dis
,ngushed for his bitter hostility TO them Some SILVER
ings OF lancespassages at arms in the legal arena arr
eagerly anticipated in the Summing up by the densely
paoked OF spectators in constant attendance on ,h
trial.
Mr. Brent is at present the attorney general of Mary
land and has the reputation OF being very able lawye
and most courteous gentleman He has yet taken bu
little part in the cause, lhosgh apprehcnd from the in
mations OF counsel that he will argue it 10 the Jury il
conjunction with Mr. Cooper the part Of the Unite.
| States.
In another communication I may give you other Incl
dents connected with the progress and close Of this s
of The treason trials At present forbear to common
upon the testimony Let the jury pass upon it, in mat
ter OF life and DEATH with the least possible bias on he
fnv unA ~ -.