New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-14
MEMS OF LIE WEEK.

FfCm Ouf ONn Norrespondent
SAN FRANcIsco, Tuesday, Oct 81 1854.
The trial Of VIM. Walker ex-Presideut of Sonora,
under an indictment for violating the neutrality law
Of the United States by setting foot hostile expo
dition against Mexico, was commenced in the L. ;.
Ds.rct Court Of tue Northern District of California,
Judge Ogier presi1pg,) on the nth October. In the
beginning of the case motion was made 10 issue an
attachment TO compel Mr.. Dillon, French Consul 20
appesr as witness for the defense. The Court after
hearing Heightened argument, and after having held
the matter under consideration for several days de-
cded that Dillon could not be compelled to appear as
& witness The defense replied that they did not de-
sire that. they claimed subpoena matter fright,
and consent to an invitation would be an abandon
ment OF their ground. They thus showed the tricky
character Of their course. An invitation was sent by
Judge Ogier TO Dillon inviting him to appear a
witness. Dillon replied in a note saying;
"The undersigned is panied 10 say, that he is pre-
vented by urgent beyond his control from re-
spending in person to the invitation Of the Honorable
Court, as he otherwise would most ga lily have done;
but Until these causes, which are oil TansNory ma
tore are removed he will feel great pleasure in for
yardirg to the Honorable Court, either under the
firm of sn affidavit or any other written form com
pstible wth the rules Of American lsg, statement
Of tis ent- ignorance, byond mere hearsay or pub
lie run0r OF all circumstances calculated 10 initiate III
faAor or against the accused, Wm. Walker
Nothing more wss said about Dillon, and the Court
prococdcd to hear the evidence for the prosecution
Walker defense was grounded upon the assertion
lhat he did not leave this place with hostile inten
ticn again st Mexico. The departure was not denied
but az he asserted, Il with peaseable purpose
eive YOU the substance in very con Use form OF
the evidence IN regard the intcnton'he question
at iasue. The first witness was
Henry A. Crabb-Ha1 taken passage on the Caro-
line for Gu9yamas just before the departure OF mat
vessel from this port the lh October, 1893, Win
the first flibusteriDg party; heard that there was
party going the vessel With hostile intentions, ana
left the vessel for that reason.
James HamIlton-Was one of the party In the Car
oline; understood from Mr. Walker that the purpose
of the party was TO mine; heard from others that II
was tie intention take possession OF Sonora there
we're peLty Of arms on board; no mining Tools the
men were drilled every. day in small arm exercise;
Mr. Walker was in command; aud IN Lower Califor-
Mo. was reported 10 be- the President 'he men were
not paid at all there Is men Of tn party on the
Caroline.
Bepiamin Hungford went on the Caroline; started
under the supposion that the purposes of the party
were ordinary pas eDgers did not learn the purpose
ill they were out at sea- the arms were carried on
bosid The Caroline at night by the men.
4. j Kelly went on the Caroline; unierstood that
the puTose6 Ss the party was 70 mnei considered
Walker to bo in command Of the party; had some
Sonora scrip signed by VIM. Walker President
Of Sonora and Lower California, and John NJ. Jar
nagin. Secretary of War; there were a few shove's
and aIes and one crOwber on the Csrollnei did not
zee the scrip Until the arrival OF the reinforcement
on the ADita.
Thomas Armstrong knew nothing of the Caroline
went the Anl'a.
F. " Cba1ncey refused TO testify on the ground
thar he could not do without eliminating himself.
Edward Waitss visited Lower California IN 1883;
went on tie Caroline; went from Us Psz TO Ensenada
On the Caroline: Walker was at the head OF the
Government ~ EnsenGda don't recoiect whether he
he'd the title 81 President
Tie testimony for The prosecution was closed here.
Tbe Witnesses for the defense were Jas l.. Springer
ard Cspi Snow, Of the Caroline.
i. : Soinger-Knew W alker in Mary5yille in Feb
ruary -53 he spoke that time of going 10 take
piece of y.c8nt land for ranch in SOnora Wat
kits carried dosn the printed Sonora scrip on tue
Anita.
Howard A sogw-Wos The commander Of the Car
oline and had been since August, 1885, the Caroline
wss under the Mexican Dag since lejli saw Emory in
Guaysns- IN the spring vi I752r Il vas not until tue
Caroline Wns w,hf- two days sail Of Cipe St. Lucas
II i, was decided in council whether to land at
La Psz OF whether 70 land peacefully or not witness
rtn in. j with Walker az In enada the native To-
LabtaIs at La Paz and az San Vicente gave in their
adhesion 10 Walker and swOre allegiance 70 MN WIN
OF. COmpul, on.
Judge Ogier charged the Jury in such terms IS
might he expected in regard to the purpose of the
la end the daty Of the Jury take the law from the
Court without questoning the correctness Of the legal
% !uis es stated by the Court. Bat there was one
GaGse Of The charge TO which invite the especial At
teIGon OF Jour readers and Of the Administration
quote from tho report Of the charge as given in TIE
DGE, ClTeaieie OF the 18th Oct.
"Tbe Court then charged the Jury, that y they be-
Ueved IL te-rimopy Of Capt. Snow, and they were
IJund ~ believe it-and that he was likely TO know
uba. ~ . The intentions Of the defendant at the time
II CeTolrr LEFT pOr.-then there was no ground for
Z ve-oiot OF guilty. Tie presumption OF any man,
Ton t. testimony OF Capt SnoT. would be that the
alton ~ the thee OF leaving the jurisdiction OF
the Un,'ed States rot hostile one, or was
Wild eutIp prise, without any object at all
Thi. portion OF the charge e given IN the same
vords n Tie Ala While the other papers contain no
repol. 4 zoe cherg. e. ~. /, may be that the re
mort il incorrect but Il 20 il is difficult TO understAnd
Row he Jsry could have reso!'ed, after being out
only eighr rn,rutes bring in verdict Of acquttsl
wlieh they did. IAe prosecution conducted with
woude u amencss some OF ,5e witnesses cared little
ior ,rutb end Sums OF the Jury were known to be
opDosed 20 al convictions ior fllbastcnDg bat the
JGzJ would certainly hesiisted, and perhaps dis
sgreed Il ne charge sd been given IN tie intent 70
sustain ths letter ami spirit Of he law
The thai has occupied ve'y l.tie OF The public at
teo,an, beeaUe ihe city i juEt now sgits,sd by
nlutfule of Other matter. Of ZONE lnIe5iste inter
e.; set III, esconestef The ve1dics general, ss tae
belief thSt tome Of the sirnessss were peD ased.