Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-02-28

honor be it said,) retained that sense of Justice
and morality which has ever portrayed the free
mans sense of right. | am counsel for the plain
TIL in this case Here the defendant rose and
made some few remarks about the RIGHT of trial
10y jury, DC. The Hon. Judge suggested the pro.
pricty and The right Of defendant to trial by in
ry. 1t met the appreciation of the people. and a
jury Of twelve men was empannclled who pledr
ed their socredword and honor to try the case in
accordance with the law and evidence 1t is on
ly necessary to say that the men who were thus
selected were some of the best and most intcll-
gent that could be found
The young man who had engaged in the case
for the plaintiff was the person whom have he
lore described as Grotius, He stated the grounds
of the complaint in clear aud forcible manner.
There was charm in his speech that convinced
you at once that he possessed all the most emo
bling qualities of human nature and human kind
ness The defendant presented his ease to the
Court and jury, but it was evident that he was
much embarrassed in the presence of Grotus,
whose superior talent he feared. The defendant
made an earnest plea and protested his own inno-
cence of any bad intention or mischieyious de-
sign When he had finished his speech there was
not the slightest mark of applause. Grotius rose
and stated to the Court that he did not feel dis
posed TO take advantage OF the gentleman S weak
grounds and case so far rs he had set them forth.
Perhaps that gentleman said he, pointing his fin
ger at the defendant, can better establish his
innocence aud secure his acquttal by introduce
ing witnesses in his bchalrN | have, NAV il
whom We intend TO call as witnesses on behalf of
the plaintih.' Here six or seven witnesses were
called by Grotius, and solemn exhortation de
livcrcd to them by Judge Portable in regard to
the telling of the whole truth. He Aiutcd at the
personal safety of the witnesses in the event that
false testimony should be given in This wise in
sinuation of the Judge had the desired effect for
all spoke truly Each witness urayelcd all he
knew about the matter and it was indeed sin
gular string of evidence. One young man who
was engaged by the lady'a uncle in driving cat
tie to California and who was of course on friend
ly terms with the young lady, testified that the
defendant offered him a fine bay mare If hc would
intercede with the young lady in his behalf in
matters Of love. The witness also testified that
she had forbid him ever intruding so familiarly
kind. She further told him that she would par
don his presumption on account Of the intimacy
which had existed between him and her uncle.
and the confidence which her uncle had placcd in
him, but cautioned him never to approach her
again with such questions, assuring the witness
that she did not intend to allow herself to be
come attached to any person farther than propr-
ETY. and ciyiity demanded, and that under no
circumstances would she court the advancement
of any gentleman, OF rcciproc0te the real or pre-
tended love of any man.
Another very important witness was called to
the stand. word in reference to this witness
before proceeding to give the nature Of his tcsti-
mony, may show how important it was to have
his evidence, in order to fasten guilt upon the
defendant and fully establish the innocence of
years Of age, plain, honest looking man; who
had worked for the young lady IS uncle about six
teen years in Tennessee, in the county of --.
and who had known the lady from infancy lie
testified that the plaintiff was an orphan, that her
father and mother had been dead some seven
years. Her father dying few months after her
mother, left all the property he possessed to this
girl, his only child, and appointed his brother,
who was bachelor and the last Of his own i'm
mediate family, to take his child and to protect
her as his own. This responsibility her uncle
gladly assumed, and from the day of her fathers
death he performed every natural kindness to the
orphan girl. This same kind uncle it was who
left his home in Tennessee but four months be-
fore for California, bringing with him several
hundred head Of cattle and his trusty old frind
who was on the stand tesJifying. Alas that un-
Gle who was the only kind protector to whom the
vot.on, died but three days before reaching the
north crossing Of the Platte, with that most
dreaded Of all diseases on the Plains the cholera
Upon this bereavement the young lady resolved
to continue her journey TO California, and to re-
tain the service Of her unclc's friend, with the
promise to reward him amply for his labor and
fidelity. She calculated that " ben she should ar
rive in California to seek an opportunity to dis
pose of her property and That Of her uncle, which
was lew all her own, and thenreturn TO the home
where her childhood was happy and carcssed
and where she could live, it might be without
kindred, but without fear, and that she might Wis
it the hamlet whore the ashes Of her departed pa
rents mingled with her native soil, and sprinkle
their graves with the tears Of veueraton.
This old man who knew the plaintiff better
than any other person upon earth, dropped tears
as he spoke Of her virtue, kindness Of heart, her
sweetness Of temper and her pure benevolence
The defendant first sought to make the acquain-
tance Of the Young lady through the medium oi
this old man, and offered him bribcs at various