The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-10
Correspondence OF the Umonl
The Treason Trials ut Philadelphia,

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 7. 1851.
Mr. EDITOR Since my last the evidence i'll the Urea
trials has been closed and the summing up oil
sci commenced. There great mass Of testimony,
direct and indirect, introduced the part OF The United
States in support Of the charge preferred in the indict
ment; and incline 10 think, from several offers made
by the prosecution, that much more OF circumstanal
character might have been produced II il had been dis
covered in time 10 have given the prisoner notice OF the
names OF the witnesses, the statute requires An at
tempt made 10 introduce il rebuting evidence, but
ruled ont by the court, and apprehend, properly
The testimony 10 which have adverted intended
10 prove organizations resist the laws, entered INTO
some Twelve fifteen months ago. and the resolutions of
meetings declaring resistance to II 10 be duty the
part of all good people, viz The aboonsls. This, il
introduced at all, should have been introduced tes
mony in chief but as have inmaed, II was only dis
covered during the progress oil the trial. and too late 10
be given under the regulating trials for treason
In the hereafter 10 be tined. IS 10 be presumed
that notice win be given and the testimony introduced
On the part OF the defence, good deal OF testimony
was given TO contradict the witnesses for the prosecution,
and 10 rene the idea OF any intention the part OF the
prisoners to commit treason Mr. Lewis who is himself
indicted, the principal witness on the part oil the de-
fence TO show the quo amino. He stated that on the
morning OF the outrage he called The prisoner 10 &C.
company him 10 Parkefs whose house was surrounded
by kdnappeIs in order justice done y that Hama
on horseback , and instead Of urging the negroes, tina,
he had begged them not 10 fire or hurt the claimants
Of the slaves There is good deal Of discrepancy be-
tween the testimony Of this witness and number oil the
witnesses for the prosecution but Il IS possibly recon-
ceabe by supposng that the different witnesses speak OF
the prisoners Conduct at different times or stages OF the
transactions and this would really to be the case
number OF witnesses the part OF The United States
testify that previously the prisoners appearance the
ground the negroes appeared n,mdaed and had asked
time 10 consider whether 10 Yield or not; but that i'm
mediately or shortly after his arrival, they took new
courage became boserous, shouted aloud, and presently
commenced firing II would also appear from the icsti-
nony that, before the firing commenced he moved his
horse out of Tive waythat is from position as under
stood it, partly betweoa the blacks and the whites This,
however conlradiced by Lewis. and probably BY one
or two others OF the defendants witnesses
Henry II Kline, the officer who accompanied Mr.. Cor
such on his unfortunate and fatal eand, aud who is the
principal witness OF the prosecution was attempted TO be
impeached and some twenty five thirty witnesses
called TO swear that his character for truth and veacy
was bad On the other hand. the prosecution called
seycnty.fye TO eighty Witnesses who swore that his
char acer was good and that they would believe him
oath without hesitation SO you will see there is much
discrepancy OF opinion concerning this wne,s although
TO use military phrase he handsomely supported
against the attack OF the sappes and miners OF his rcpu
taton.
The over act cnaFgcu IN the Tue resist
ance OF the officers the rescue OF the slaves and the
murder of their master, whilst attempting their cap
ture by virtue OF process-has been distinctly proved;
the quo ammo however, with which the prisoner went
to tho ground is matter OF dispute Tha, his conduct
on the ground improper there IS no room ts doubt
but whether il tcconabts not IS Tor the jury TO
decide
There was quite number OF witnesses introduced to
prove the character Of the prisoner loyal and peacea
bic man; and from their testimony II would seem that
he has always borne the reputation OF an amab'e, law
abiding citizen But evidence OF this kind is but little
worth for we daily called to witness instances OF
mems sudden fall from vure into the depths Of vice and
degradation In where the scales OF justice are IN
perfect equilibrium evidence OF character may be OF avail
to cause them incline the prisoners side but evil
denoe OF this kind cannot turn the scale which incllnes
in any considerable degree. directly and positively the
other way.
The argument to the Jury was commenced yesterday