Washington telegraph., 1854-06-07
Hon, Mr. Critteuicn and the
Ward TIiai.

Ward Trial.
We have been handed, for pcrnsal, cx.
tracis from letter addressed by Mr. Crit.
tenden to friend and eounexion in this city,
in relation to his appearance in the Ward
ease 1t i well known, we suppose, that
his appearing in defence of the accused in
that ease has been malc the occasion Of
visiting him with very strong ccnsare.
Ii is, therefore, must Il. aud proper that
hc be hcord. in explanation of the motives
that actualed him in disclarging what he
conceived 10 be his duty rs a lawyer. as n
man, aud as friend and 10 oppose to the
eensnrc that has been 50 heavily heapod up.
on him plain statement of the facts Ae.
cordingy We clperIuly comply with the re.
quest that has been made Of Us by the
friend of Mr. Grittendrn here, and give
place to the letter alluded To-
The letter was written for the eve of his
friend aud relative aud was MT intended for
publication, N O Pie.
ST Lorls, Mo, May II, 1851
Dean IL; Your letter Of the ID
ult was received a few days ago, and You
may be assured that the motives which die.
taied it are properly understood and appfe.
cated.
You desire information in relation to my
appearance as counsel in the late trial of
young Ward in order that my friend, may
be better able To Yinlieatc my conduct from
the unjust eensnFe which without reflection,
has been cart upon it,
have had nothing to do with the ease
except professionally, as counsel for the nc.
cused, My connection with it may he sia'
ted in few words Details arc unnccCssa.
ry and ummaicrial
Relation. of private friendship Ind frem
my earliest manhood existed between me
nud many of the members Of the family 10
which belonged Robert J. Ward. E.l. the
father Of the aeensci.
lie aud had long leon personal friends,
and friend he wa. ia be lated aud valued
When be was in the deepest distress aud
agony il was male known 10 me that he de.
sired should appcara as counsel for his sens,
then imprisoned aud awaiting their trial IN.
der heavy load of prejudice aud excite.
meut. Gould as a professional man. could
| as a frifaa. have refused to d, 81? No
| could nut
The very responsibility Of appearing in |
the ease. under the existing excitement |
made il the more Necessary for na 10 10 it, !
or appear 10 be limid lawyer and a worth. .
less iIicud.
Altcr considering 4 The matter. and the 1
repeated solicitation. u ramman friends. lde. /
tcrmincd not 10 rciset the appeals made to .
me but Ia appear iu tie rase aud render to .
the accused such professional services as .
could. determined also tn; ! wou'd te.
ceile no ipo for ms services believed .
that | might exact almost what amount Of
cospeusatian | rlrn-ed. and that WAS felt .
by me a. a reason why ,han'd iakc none
shnuk from die ilea or appearance even .
of bargaining with a distressed friend. ar
,peeunlne uron his mis'ofluues Of his gen. /
crnsiiy lhyiue come To these conclusions
| informed Mr. Matt 7 Ward Of them by
a note addressed to him some few weeks be.
fore biz trial aud received frum him letter
Of grateful acknowledgements Iii. father
was then absent in New Orleans, as | sup.
posed,
accordingly appeared for him. aud de.
icndcd him with What ability | could but |
neither did nor raid anything that was no,
within the ,tric;o,i limits If an honest and
honorable discharge Of professional duty.
The trial took place nt Eiilbclh'oNu, the
seat Of justice Of Hardin county, aloui cigh.
ty or one hundred miles from my residence
in Frankfort.
lhad nothing 10 do with 'hc prcramtionof .
the ease or the selection ofthe jury. These .
professional duties were performed by 9th .
er counsel, better acquainted with the iHc,s .
Of the ease aud the persons presented as
jurors ! have M reason To doubt thli .
these duties were performed in a manner
becoming the profession, and the honor.
able character Of the counsel On whom they .
dcvolycd. | may say that had nothing
10 do with the ease bat tn argue Il before
the court and jury. The trial, 20 for as | .
know or could observe wa, in all respects,
fairly conducted
At the time engaged to appear in the
ease, had heard nothing Of it but what
might have been gathered from common ru.
NOR.
| have done nothing but what my juds.
meoi and my feelings approved ! have in
the exercise % my profession appeared as
counsel for fiicul. the son Of a friend. aud
for that have no defence to make. did .
not niiude myself into the cause, ap-
pcared in it only because they wished it.
am sour friend. &c.
j. J. CRlTTENDEN.
l.. H., Esq, New Orleans.