The weekly Butte record., 1861-05-18
Treason The Federal Courts Acting


In the United States Circuit Court in this
CITY, to-day, Judge Bolts charged the Grand
jury on the law of treason. The following are
the material portions of the charge:
Two witnesses to overt acts of treason are
necessary TO convict the high crime or a con-
iession by the accused in open Court. His
admission OF acts done by him, made in writing
or verbally, are legal evidence, and become,
inJudgment OF law, tantamount to the testimony
oil two witnesses. Giving aid or comfort to the
enemies OF the country consists in furnishing
the military supplies, food, clothing, harbor or
concealment, or communicating information to
them, helping their hostilities against the coun-
try and Its Government.
1t is most probable that complaints will bv
laid before you under this branch and de6ni
ton OF the crime. Within it will be included
acts OF building, manning or any way fitting
out or victuaillng vessels to aid the hostities
OF our enemies; sending provisions, arms or
other supplies to them, raising funds or obtain
ing credit for their service indeed, every trait.
orous purpose, manifested by acts committed
10 this district by persons owing allegiance to
the country, will be acts of treason 1t is not
necessary that the accused should have raised
or created war by his own acts he levies war
by acting with those who set it on foot, or by
seizing or holding ports, or like acts of hostile
aggression. The kindred crime of misprsion
of treason is this If any person owing allegi-
ance to the Government has knowledge of acts
of treason committed by others within the iu.
risdiction of the Court, and does not make it
known to the President of the United States.
or one of the Judges of the United States, or
the Governor of the State, or Judge or mag
istrate thereof, he becomes guilty of misprision
of treason, and subject TO seven years mpris-
onment, and fine of 81 900 for the offense,
and it is the duty of the Grand Jury to present
for trial therefor such offender, whatever may
be his individual connection or relationship
with the offender.
You are aware, gentlemen, that lively dis
trusts and apprehensions agitate the public
mind, and you will be cautious to discriminate,
in the charges laid before you, between those
resting on solid foundation of facts and those
which may be colored through over zeal of ac-
cusers, and rests essentially on suspicious and
apprehensions only; when the community is
highly exasperated and excited, men are prone
to exaggerate statements and surmises against
persons suspected of crime Whilst the citizen,
whatever his personal condition or worth NAV
be. should be held strictly responsible for every
act done in violation of the law, it is a right
which should be sacredly preserved to him that
he should not be exposed in life or character to
the hazards of criminal accusation and trial,
unless the Grand Jury are clearly satisfied
there is reasonable proof of his guilt-Neu
York Evening Post.
BEAUTIFUL AND TRuE.-We clip the follow
ing beautiful passage from the address of Mr..
Samuel NJ. Wilson, of San Francisco, deliver
ed at the laying of the corner stone of the
Capitol, at Sacramento, on Monday last:
1t has pleased God 10 the midst of this very
season of prosperity, peace, and happiness, and
with but little warning, to place before US one
OF the greatest trials ever presented to ma
tion. By the exercise of the very highest vir-
tues our loreIathers achieved our liberty, Union
and independence and, by the exercise of the
very highest virtues, we alone can preserve
them. Through the influence of correct prin-
ciples and patriotism they conquered, and
through them alone shall we conquer. They
had a country, and for it "pledged their
lives, their fortunes, and their sacred
honor" Have we a country? Where is
it? What is it? Where are our lives,
our fortunes, and our sacred honors p
Here, at this r.stone of our Capitol, let
US prepare for this trial, with that high pur-
pose, that answering resolutions, and that
fervent patriotism so much demanded by the
times and the occasion. Let our prayer be
peace, our mission peace, and our efforts for
peace; but if it is so destined that there shall
be no peace, let US meet our trials as our glo-
rlous fathers met the times that tried mems
souls" Applause, California does not stand
pigmy statuette of imbecity. She can
assume no dull attitude of cold Indifference
Her figures is not the figures of pale and trem
bling neutrality. She is colossal form of
earnest and energetic patriotism, every feature
beaming with kindness and vigor, fraternity
and firmness, moderation and decision.