Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-08-26
UNIFIED STATES CIRCUIT COURT.

UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT. /
The government trials which have been
progressing at Windsor, were finally dispos-
ed of on Wednesday last, and the Court clos
ed its session on Thursday morning.
The case of Ebenezer Bickford, Of Montpc-
lier, the first on trial, resulted in a verdict of
guilty, and he was sentenced by Judge Small
ley to hard labor in the States prison for
the term Of four years, and to pay fine of
FIVE hundred dollars
In the cases of Boswell, of Barton, whose
trial had been delayed from day to day, on
account Of his being unable, on account of
sickness, to be in court until Tuesday last
when he appeared, and part Of the jury
were ompanneled, and the court adjourned to
afford time to obtain more jurymen. On
Wednesday morning the respondent failing
to approximately from sickness being the
oxcuse-and the District Attorney declining to
bring him into court under arrest, his bonds
were declared to be forfeited as were also
DR.. Sweat, of Thotford who was in this place,
but entirely unable, from sickness to come to
trial The trial on the bill found against
Boswell the present term was postponed until
the October session.
In the case Of Watriss, we understand he
was present and anxious to 90 to trial, but
for some cause, there appeared reluctance
somewhere to progress We have it sugges-
ted that perhaps it was feared that something
might come up during the trial Of that case,
which might damage the political prospects
of some Of their party men just as this par
ticular iuncture. How this is, we are I'M
able to say.
These government cases have created a
sr,,l 1..ruo, t.r st, Ia, mind
and during the trial of Mr.. Bickford the
deepest interest manifested itself in his be-
half, aud judging from the public impulse,
it was felt that if he was guilty it was more
through ignorance Of the law than any will
fol design to defraud the government. But
Judge Nelson's charge to the jury appeared
to settle the question, and a verdict of guilty
was rendered. We hoped to have been able
to have laid this important document before
our readers, that they might understand what
is law and gospel in these important matters,
but have been unable to obtain the document.
As this case is now disposed Of it will not be
deemed improper for us to state, that never
during the trial of criminal case, have we
witnessed the people alive to sympathy
for the accused, as have been this community
in reference to this trial. And in saying
this, we wish TO cast no reflections upon those
who found the verdict SO long as they
were bound to decide according to the evil
donce and the law without any reference to
the fact, that the instruments upon whom
they rely for their proper interpretations alike
themselves, are but fallible beings, and cs-
pocally if they are to believe that one who
makes a misstatcmont of facts in the drawing
of document, is verify guilty in the sight
Of the law, even though there be no intention
Iofrecovcring or obtaining moro than what he
believes to be, and what actually is Justly due.
We have no sympathy for any one who
Intentionally dclrauds either government OF
his neighbor, nor do we profess to be an adj
ept in matters of law, but person of common
sense ought to be able to conceive of cases in
which one, through an unucquaintance with
law, or other reason, may commit an error
make misstatement of facts and the fact
that such false statement was entirely un
necessary to secure the accomplishment o
the object sought, (as in most Of the counts
in Bickiord's prosecution is but corrobora
tive proof of the absence offraudulent design
And the more numerous the instances O
such cases, the frmcr does it establish tn
= absence Of intentional fraud, on the part 0
, the person perpetrating them
1t is to be regretted that those who admin
lister in the affairs of government, should hav
suffered, Intentionally or otherwise som
e who perhaps were the greatest rascals to hay
I gone unwhipt of justice, until their cases, o
! account Of time, had passed beyond thei
reach. But the more VIC see Of the manner i
which matters Of law and justice are admins
o tered, and punishment is melted out to tn
s taking it from the case OF Dan
r Sicltcs down, the moro are we convinced tina
=, in many instances, it is but one stupondou
"a farce.
A petition, signed by one hundred of tn
d principal business men of Montpelier, settin
5 forth the high esteem, uprightnoss of chara'
n ter, and unquestionable integrity in whc
Mr.. Bicklord had been held during the man
years Of his residence in that place, and pra,
ing the Court in view of his uniform GOO
:, conduct and fair reputation, in connocho
It with his age and health, might have due il
n ducncc in fixing his punishment, was presen
ed to Judge Smalley, as WINS also a simil
petition from over one hundred Of the cit
e zens Of Windsor. But the sentence as "
r learn, was made up before Judge Nelson lie
Io the court last week.--of course these pet
,r tons had no effect in the closing scene of til
=, melancholy trial Windsor Journal