Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-06-03
Mr.. CRITTENDEN AND THE WARD TRIAL.
FROM THE NEW ORLEANS prcAYuYg.

We have been handed for perusal extracts from let
ter addressed by Mr.. CRIrTENpEN to friend and con-
nexon in this city in relation to his appearance in the
Ward 1t is well known, suppose, that his ap
peang in defence Of the accused in that has been
made the occasion of visiting him with very strong cen
sure. .sf ss.,r..
1t is therefore most fit and proper that he be heard in
explanation of the motives that actuated him in dscharg
ing what he conceived to be his duty lawyer, as
man. and friend and to oppose to the that
has been SO heavily heaped upon him plain statement
Of the facts Accordingly cheerfuy comply with the
request that has been made of by the friend Of Mr.
Crttendsn here and give place to the letter alluded to-
The letter written for the eye Of his friend and
ative alone, in reply to addressed to him. and
ST.. LOUIS, MAY IA, 1854
DEAR Il: Your letter of the I'd instant was received
few days and you be assured that the motives which
dictated it properly understood and appreciated.
You desire information in relation to appearance
counsel the late trial of young Ward in order that my
friends may be better able vndcae my conduct from the
unjust which, without reflection has been up
on it.
have had nothing do with that except profession
ally counsel for the accused My connection with it may
be stated 10 few words. Details unnecessary and i'm
material. ." t@
Relations of private friendship had my earliest
hood existed between and Of the members Of the
family which belonged Robert j. Ward Esq the father Of
the accused He and had long BEEN personal friends and
friend he to be loved and valued.
When he was in the deepest distress and agony, it was
made known to that he desired should appear
sci for his sons, then imprisoned and awaiting their trial
der heavy load of prejudice and excitement Gould
No. could not.
The very responsibility of appearing in the under the
existing excitement made it the necessary
it, appear to be timid lawyer and aworthess friend
After considering of the matter and the repeated soca
tons of friends, determined not to reject the ap
peas made but to appear and render the
accused such professional services could determined
also that would receive fee for services believed
that might almost what of compensation
pleased, and that felt by q why should
take shrank from the idea appearance of
bargaining with distressed friend specializing upon his
misortunes his generosity. Having these concu
sions, informed Mr.. Matt +. Ward of them by adj
dressed to him weeks before his trial. and received from
him letter of grateful Acknowledgements. His father
then absent in New Orleans, as supposed.
accordingly appeared for him, and defended him with
what ability could but neither did said any thing
that within the stricte limits honest and hon
orabe discharge of professional duty.
The trial took place Eizabshtown toe justice Of
Hardin county about eighty hundred miles from my
residence in Frankfort
had nothing do with the preparation of the the
selection of jury These professional duties performed
other counsel better acquainted with the facts of the
and the persons presented jurors. have to
doubt that these duties performed becoming
the profession and the honorable character Of the counsel
whom they devolved may say that had nothing to do
with the but argue before the and jury Tho
trial. far know could observe inal respects
! fairly conducted
At the time engaged to appear in the had heard
nothing of but what might have been gathered from
mon
have done nothing but what my Judgment and my feel
ngs approved. have in the exercise Of profession
that have defence to make did inrude myself
to the appeared in only because they wished it.
am your friend, &C. J. J. CRITTENDEN.
1 L. IL, Esq, New Orleans