The true Democrat., 1854-06-13
MT. Crittenden and the Ward Trial.

We have been handed, for perusal, extracts from letter addressed by MT. Crittenden to friend and connection in this city, in relation to hls appearance in the Ward case. It is we'll known we suppose, that his appearing in de- fence ot the accused, in that case, has been made the occasion of visiting him with very strong censure.
 It IS, therefore, most fit and proper that he be heard in explanation of the motives that &C., tuated him in dischargng what he conceived to be his duty as lawyer, as man, and as a friend; and to oppose to the censure that has been so heavily heaped upon him, plain state- ment of the facts. Accordingly we cheerfullv comply with the request that has been made of us by the friend of MT. Crttenden here. and give place to the letter alluded to-
 The letter was written for the eye of his friend and relative alone in reply to one addressed to him, and was not intended for pubication.-N. o. Picayune
 s. Louis May IA, 1854
 DEAR H.: Your letter of the 2d inst, was received a few days ago, and you may be assured that the motives which dictated it are properly understood and appreciated.
 You desire information in relation to my ap- pearance as counsel in the late trial of young Ward, in order that my friends may be better able to vindicate my conduct from the unjust censure which, without reflection, has been cast upon it.
 have had nothing to do with that case except professionally, as counsel for the accused. My connection with it may be stated :n few words Details are unnecessary and immaterial.
 Relations of private friendship had from my earliest manhood existed between me and many of the members of the family to which be- longed Robert J. Ward, esq.,, the father of the accused.
 He and I had long been personal friends, and a friend was to be loved and valued
 When he was in the deepest distress and agony, it was made known to me that he de- sired 1 should appear as counsel for his sons, then imprisoned and awaiting their trial under a heavy load of prejudice and excitement- Could l as a professional man, could I as friend, have refused to do so? 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 worthless friend
 After considering of the matter, and the re- peated solicitations of common friends, deter mined not to reject the appeals made to me, but to appear in the case and render to the ac- cused such professional services as 1 could I determined also that 1 would receive no fee for my services. believed that l might exact al- most what amount of compensation I pleased, and that was felt by me as a treason why should take none l shrank from the idea or appear ance even of bargaining with distressed friend, or speculating upon his misfortunes or his ge- nerosity. Having come to these conclusions, I informed Mir. Matt. F. Ward of them by a note addressed to him some few weeks before his trial, and received from him letter of grateful acknowledgements His father was then absent in New Orleans, as supposed.
 accordingly appeared for him, and defended him with what ability could; but neither did nor said anything that was not within the strict est limits of an honest and honorable discharge of professional duty.
 The trial took place at Elizabethtown, the seat of justice of Hardin county, about eighty or one hundred miles from my residence in Frankfort
 I had nothing to do with the preparation of the case or the selection of jury These pro- fessional duties were performed by other coun- sel better acquainted with the facts of the case and the persons presented as jurors. I have no reason to doubt that these duties were per- formed in a manner becoming the profession, and the honorable character of the counsel on whom they devolved. I may say that had nothing to do with the case but to argue it be- fore the court and jury. The trial, so far as I know or could observe was in all respects, fairly conducted.
 At the time l engaged to appear in the case, had heard nothing of it but what might have been gathered from common rumor.
 l have done nothing but what my judgment and my feelings approved. have in the ex- ercise of my profession appeared as counsel for friend, the son of a friend, and for that have no defence to make. I did not intrude myself into the cause. l appeared in it only because they wished it.
 l am your friend, etc.,
 J. J. CRITTENDEN. British View of the Right of Search.