New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-09-19
RELEASE OF THE PRISONERS.


RELEASE OF THE PRISONERS.
Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune.
LAWRENCE, X. T., Sept. 10, 1856.
There has been jubilee tonight in Lawrence.
The prisoners are released, and the city is all in
commotion. You have learned it, of course, hong
before this will reach New.York, if indeed it ever
does; but some Of the particulars Of the release
will not be uninteresting
Day before yesterday (Mondey) was the return
day of the Court, and Me prisoners were ready for
trial with their counsel Messrs. c. H.. Branscomber
NJ. j. Parrot, and James Christian. No judge
however, appeared in town. and no officer of the
Court except Deputy Marshal Cramer, until P. m
At that time Judge Lecompte arrived with Marshal
Donaldson. The prisoners were at the camp about
half mile from LecOmptOn. Mr.. Branscombe
immediately went to zee Judge Lecompte, who told
him that he should hold session that night but
merely for the purpose of adournng till next day,
which he did.
Next morning at 9 O'Clock the prisoners were
ready with their counsel and friends About ii o'clock
Judge LecOmpte opened the Court. He was very
polite to everybody. Mr.. g.. II. Grover appeared
in behalf of the Government for Col. lsaacs, who
was said to be sick. He made motion in writing
that the term Of the Court be continued till the last
Monday in November next, alleging that the County
of Douglas (which includes Lawrence, LecOmptOn,
Benisia and Franklin, was in state OF insurrec-
ton, caused BY the introduction d large bodies
armed men, whose purpose to resist the laws
Of the Territory, and that this prevented jurors
and witnesses from attending Court. Mr.. Grover
made short argument, on his motion, saying that
he had proof of these allegations at hand.
Mr.. Branscombe in reply said that certain per.
sons were held in custody BY process OF that
Court on the charge of high treason, that they had
been ready for trial last term, they were ready this
term aud they now demanded as right an imme-
diate trial He argued that the reasons alleged on
the motion for continuance were not valid, that
there WAS no evidence before the Court OF the intro
duction of any armed bodies Of men for the
purpose stated by the counsel for the Govern
ment and be called for proof, protecting
against taking any mans ipse di!it for testl,
mony. Although no summonses ne said, mad
been issued to jurors or witnesses, there were ~
rors present who would answer to their Nance,
and If there was a deficiency in the panel it could
be- filled up from the tales. There was, therefore,
no reason for not proceeding immediately to trial.
At any, rate, if the Government was not ready u
WAS not the fault Of the prisoners, and they should
not be compelled to suffer for it, He declared, IN
conclusion, that they were ready for trial and OBJ
jected to the motion.
Mr.. Grover in response said that the Court was
bound to take official cognizance OF the TACT OF inc
psurrection. He could bring any quantity f proof
Of it. There was The Lendss Times. Tho Lon
don Times said that not only Kansas but the whole
| country. was in state Of insurrectOn.
Judge Lecoupte Oyerrulsd the ns6On, stating
| that there was no sufficient evidence before the
| Court of such state Of I'M urrectoh as to deter
| Jurors or witnesses from appearing.
The docket was then taken up. The first case called
was The Territory of Kansas against Charles Rob
| inson, for usurpatiOn Of office. Mr.. Grover moved
| 10 continue it to the next term this is held in
| April next1 for the same reasons alleged on his
motion TO adjourn, and also because the witness,
said to have been summoned, was not present.
| This man, P. Hutchinson, has bOen carefully
looked for BY the prisoners counsel and friends,
| Int without success. No trace Of him can be found
anywhere in Kansas, aud it is strongly suspected
| that he is myth. -,
Mir. Bransccmbe objected to the granting Of the
motion for the same reasons which he gave against
the motion to adjourn the Court. 60.
Judge Lecompte asked Mr.. Bransconbe II ne
| was member Of that court.
Mr.. Branscombe replied that he was NOT
Judge Lecompte-Ihen you had better be quar-
fed before you appear in this case: -. :.
MIR. BranscOmbe-What are the quallhcation'
| necessary for member Of this COURT
| .Judpe Lecompte- lou must take an oath 10 sup
mort the Constitution Of the United States the lawi
Of the Territory, the organic act, and the fug''"s
| Slave law.
Mr.. Branscombe-I cannot conscientiously take
that oath. :.
Judge Lecompte-Then you cannot appear III
the case.
Mr.. Bransconbe then applied to appear az s"'
evs eurio merely for the purpose OF doing business
preliminary to the trial.
Judge Lecompte denied the privilege.
Mr.. Brsnsconibe asked if the Judge would sas
mend for few. minutes his decision On the mo''ol
TO continue the case.
Judge Lecompte said he would ,
MIR. Brnnscombe then went to the camp sh'
conferred with DR.. Robinson. There vas yo9h'
lawyer (Mr. ParrotD at the camp, whom tney . ~,
lepi in reserve for this exigency. lie h1a D,sa ar
memLer Of the Court before the bogus IS VIZ ~,
passed, and, consequently, was not obliged 70 'an a..
roe oath. He did not whh TO appear uaiess -"
absolutely necessary, as the Deputy M'r ms c. nn
threatened On Monday to string him up. no , '
up to Court and appeared in the case; . oi' o. .s
was getting late the Court adjourned I'LL III
| morning. .- In.