The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-01
The Ward Case.
LETTER OF HON JOHN j. cRrrTENpnS.


ST. LOWS, May II, lej4.
DEAR Il: Your letter OF the I'd inst. was re-
ceiycd few days ago, and you may be assured that
The motives which dictated il are properly under
stood and appreciated
Yon desire information in relation to my appear
ance 8s counsel in the hate trial of young Ward in
order that my friends may be better able to viudi
cate my conduct from the unjust censure which
without reflection, has been cast upon il.
have had nothing 10 do with the case EXCEPT
professionally, as counsel for the accused My con
nection with it may be stated in few words. De.
tails are unnecessary and immaterial.
Relations of private friendship had from INV
earliest manhood existed between me and many OF
the members Of the family to which belonged Robert
J. Ward, Esq, the father Of the accused.
He and / had long been personal friends, and a
friend he was to be loved and valued.
When be was in the deepest distress aud agony, il
was made known to me that he desired should ap-
pear as counsel for his sons, then imprisoned and
awaiting their trial undera heavy load Of prejudice
and excitement. Gould |, as a professional man
could |, MS friend, have refused to do so No,
could not.
The very responsibility of appearing in the case,
under the existing excitement, made it the
cessary Tor me to do 1t, or appear to be timid law
yer and worthless friend.
After considering Of the matter. and the repeated
solicitations of common friends determined not to
reject the appeals made to me. but to appear in the
case and render to the accused such professional
vices as could determined also that would re.
ceive no fee for my services. believed that might
exact almost what amount OF compensation pleased,
and that was felt by me MS q reason why should
take none. shrank from the idea or appearance
even of bargaining with distressed frend or spccu-
lating upon bis misortunes or his generosity Hav-
ing come TO these conclusions, informed Mr.. Matt.
+. Ward Of them by q note addressed to him some
few weeks before his trial, and received from him q
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 not within the strictest limits of
an honest and honorable discharge OF professional
duty.
The trial took place at Elizabettown, the seat of
justice Of Hardin county, about eighty or one hun
dred miles from my residence in Frankfort.
had nothing to do with the preparation of the
case or the selection of jury. These professional
duties were performed by other COUNSEL better nc
quancd with the facts of the caee and the persons
presented as Jurors. have reason TO doubt that
these duties were performed in q manner becoming
the profession, and the honorable character of the
counsel ON whom they devolved. may say that
had nothing 10 do with the case but to argue II be.
fore the Court and jury. The trial 20 far a. know
or could observe, was, in all respects, fairly con-
Quoted.
At the time engaged to appear in the case. had
heard nothing OF IL but what might have been
gathered from common ruUor.
have done nothing but what my Judgment and
myfeelings approved. have in the exercise Of my
profession appeared rs counsel for friend the SON
Of friend and for that have no defence TO make.
did not intrude myself into the cause. Iappearcd
in IL only because they wished Il. nm your FRIEND
&c. J. J. CRiTTrSppy.
l.. H.. Esq, New Orleans.