Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-12
Trials for Piracy.


The Philsdelphs Ledger Of the SOth ult furnishes
the following in regard to the trial of the crew cap
tured on the Enehantress
Yesterday in the United States Circuit Court before
Judges Grier and Csdwalader, the case Of E6en
Lane the Last Of toe JEFF Davis pirates was disposed
of Lane, wnO was in court during the trial Of the
others who were captured on board the Enchan-
ress was the most respectable looking Of the whole
party, and during the six days that the trials lasted
he seemed to be anxious spectator Of the pro-
csedings. His conduct IN this respect was in mark
ed contrast TO that Of the other prisoners none Of
whom, with the exception Of Quigley, appeared to
be concerned in the issue. Lane is native Of Mas
saehusetts and his father who is Justice Of the
Peace az East Cambridge, has been in constant at
tendance on the Court since the trials commenced,
and be had engaged +. J. Brews err ESD for the de-
I fence. A jury was soon obtained, and Mr. Vim. ID.
Kelley, on behalf st the government in addressing
the Count and jury, said a .. -...
/ With the concurrence of my colleagues and with
/ the entire approval Of my own judgment, rise to
perform what is always q pleasant duty to prose-
cutting efcer and eminenty at this time; that IS
to ask YOU on presenting this bill 10 you having.
exhibited 70 evidence, TO render il verdict Of not
guilty
It sproper to state why this course Is pursued.
The E0chantress, the vessel captured, from which
the defendant was brought TO tiIis Court, was one
OF the fastest sailing vessels that ever left port in
the Uni.ed States and il the Judgment Of Mr..
Page, the chief mate, and the owners, when first
pf1fa1ely examined as 70 me testimony they would
give, that there must have been somebody on board
who did not wish to carry her to Charleston or Sa-
vannah. The fact that sixteen days had elapsed
from the time of her capture cfi Nantucket Shoals
and her re-capture of Hatteras was evidence con-
elusive to these gentlemen that there had been some
fair play to her owners and foul play to her cap
tors the investigation Of all the facts soon dis
closed the important one that Eben Lane had been
the navigator Of the Eachautress. it is the judy
ment and belief Of the Witnesses on whom the Gov
eminent would rely on trial OF this defendant.
that his intention was Tot that the vessel should
have a safe harbor in Charleston.
1t has not been the disposition of The Government
to obtain conviction upon anything but the most
broad and conclusive evidence, and therefore i is
that the Government presents this bill and asks
q verdict of not guilty. an
Judge Grier said be acquiesced in tHN correct
ness Of the course pursued b. the Governments
counsel and the jury then rendered verdict Of
not guilty.
Mr.. Brewster now moved the Court for the dis
charge of Mr.. Lane, but the judges were Of opinion
that 1t would not be proper to discharge him &C
once without first ssceTtaming whether the Gov
arnment proposed to hold him As s prisoner Of war
OF on any other charge.
Later in the day, Commodore Pendegrast Of the
Philadelphia station issued order for the uncOn-
iitonal discharge Of the defendant, and he was set
Il liberty
Lane alleges that at night he navigated the vessel
North, and in the day time South.
Thus ends the trial Of the first batch Of pirates,
Ind the whole proceedings have been character
zsd with great dignity on the part of all concerned
n the proceedings. The counsel, both for the Gov
rnment and the prisoners, have acted with ealm>
less throughout notwithstanding the supposed ex-
itement in the public mind, and the prisoners can
afey say they have had fair trial
The trial Of the Petrol pirates viii be commenced
n Monday next.