The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-06-08
The Ward Case.
LETTER OF HON. JOHN ]. CRITTENDEN.
ST. LOUIS, Nav Ia 1854


ST. LOUIS, May IA, 1854.
Dear H--.'-Your letter of the I'd
inst was received few days ago, and
you may be assured that the motives
which dictated it are properly understood
and appreciated.
Lou desire information in relation to
my appearance as counsel in the late tri-
al ofyouug Ward, in order that my friends
may be better able to vindicate my con-
duct from the unjust censure which, with
out reflection, has been cast upon it.
l have had nothing to do with the case
except professionally, as counsel for the
accused, My connexion with it may be
stated in few words. Details are un :
necessary and immaterial.
Relations of private friendship had
from my earliest manhood existed between
me and many ofthe members of the fami-
ly to which belonged Robert j. Ward,
Esq, the father Of the accused.
lie and had long been personal
friends, and friend he was TO be loved
and valued.
When lie was in the deepest distress
and agony, it was made known to me that
he desired should appear as counsel for
his sons, then imprisoned and awaiting
their trial under a heavy load of
prejudice and excitement. Could I. as a
professional man-could /, as a friend
have refused to do sol No, could not.
The very responsibility of appearing in
the case, under the existing excitement,
made it the more necessary for me to do it,
or appear to be timid lawyer and worth
less friend.
After considering of the matter, and
the repeated solicitations of common
friends, determined not to reject the ap-
peals made to me, but to appear in the
case and render to the accused such pro-
fesSional services as | could. 1 deter
mined also that l would receive no fee for
my services. l believe that might ex-
act almost what amount of compensation
pleased, and this was felt by me as
reason why l should take none. shrank
from the idea or appearance even Of bar
gaining with distressed friend, or spec
ulating upon his misfortunes or his gen
erosity. Having come to these conclu-
sions, informed Mr.. Matt Ward of them
by a note addressed to him some few weeks
before his trial, and received from him
a letter of grateful acknowledgements
His father was then absent in New Or
leans, as 1 supposed.
accordingly appeared for him, and
defended him with what ability I could;
out I neither did nor said anything that
was not within the strictest limits of al
honest and honorable discharge of profes-
sional duty.
The trial took place at EIizabethtoWn,
the seat of justice of Hardi county, about
eighty or one hundred miles from my res
idence in Frankfort.
had nothing to do with the prepara-
ton of the case or the selection of jury.
These professional duties were performed
by other counsel, better acquainted with
the facts of the case and the persons pre-
sented as jurors l have no reason to
doubt that these duties were performed
in manner becoming the profession, and
the honorable character of the counsel on
whom they devolved. may say that l
had nothing to do with the case but to
argue it before the Court and jury. The
trial, SO far as know or could observe,
was, in all respects, fairly conducted
At this time | engaged to appear in the
case, | had heard nothing of it but what
might have been gathered from common
rumor.
1 have done nothing but what my
judgment and my feelings approved.
have in the exercise of my profession ap-
peared as counsel for friend, the son of a
friend, and for that l have no defence to
make l did not intrude myself into the
cause. appeared III it not only because
they wished it. | am your friend, &c.
j. j. CRITTENDEN
L. H., Esq, New Orleans.
Man rnecund otter hpiuU R1Tiad TxuaT