The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-01-05
TRIAL OF TWO AMERICANS BY A
JURY OF BLACKS IN EAYTI

We announced the result of the trial, at
X. w. Packer, of this port, and his associ-
atcs, on the charge of conveying into the
Island of lIayti. and there putting into Cir
culation, large amount of counterfeit
Hayticn bills. Since then the cook of the
Il. w. Packer, John Francis Simpson, of
Fox Island Maine, who was tried with Capt.
Mayo, has arrived at this port in the schoon-
er General Veasie, from Port-au-P Prince,
and as trial oftwo white persons for their
lives by jury of colored persons, is, in
this country, somewhat of a notoriety, we
give his account Of the proceedings as a
matter which may interest our readers
The court house was q One-story stone
building, the interior being not unlike some
of our own court rooms. At one end was
the seat of justice, with the Chief Justice
in the centre, dressed in his official robes
and octagOn hat, with his two assistants in
similar apparel at his side. The Chief
Justice was a black, and apparently a man
OF considerable intelligence and learning.
He conducted the proceedings with much
fairness and ability.
In front of the court, ranged upon bench
were the counsel for the five defendants
(three of the prisoners being Hay tiens.)
At one side was the prisoners box. guarded
by the imperial soldiers, while upon the
other was the Haytien Government At
tnrney, with his official ermine, cape and
octagon hat. In the rear the public were
freely admitted, and were interested spec
tators of the trial. Tue proceedings COM
menced by the summoning of ffty-one
IIaytens, some of whom were of intensely
black complexion, while others were nearly
white. From these the prisoners were al
lowed to select twelve men who were to try
them. The proceedings as to the admis-
sion of evidence wero much the same as
in this country. The lawyers for tho de-
fence all had plea to make, and were fol-
lowed by the Government Attorney and
the Judge, when the jury retired to make
up their verdict.
The trial commenced at 10 in the morn
ing. and continued until it was finished, at
= the next morning. the jury being out
about two hours and half. In the case
of four of the accused, there was an abso-
lutte verdict of acquittal; in that of HILBERT.
who actually procured the bills to be print
ed. he was acquitted on the ground that the
bills were not signed when they were put
-.
sent back to prison on a charge of snug
Cling the bills into the country, and there
remained at last accounts. The Haytien
audience, though strongly prejudiced
against the people of the United States,
manifested joy and approval at their &C
| quittal.
We learn from the steward Simpson,
that he was generally well treated by the
Haytien authorities while in prison, though
obliged to find his own food, which is sup
Piled by the United States Consul. When
they were ordered from Cape Haytien to
Port-au-Prinee for trial, they were placed
on board a small vessel, with only a few
bananas and little water, for the soldiers,
sailors, and prisoners on board, and had
they not been literally supplied by the
American Captains with provisions they
must have suffered on the passage severely,
if not actually starved. As it was. the
prisoners before the end of the voyage,
were obliged to share their provisions with
the Government soldiers, and sailors, while
in regard to water, a mutiny came very
near occurring.
The United States sloop-of-war, ordered
by the Government authorities to touch at
Port au- Prince, had not arrived when the
General Veasie sailed.-Boston Traveller.