Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-16
Hnsfinps Count


EIANISAuoS OF ROBF 5. FoEDF, CHARakD WIN
THK MUsDER OF RoBr. + DI1oS.--Preseat Recorder
Czskie and siI Aldermen.
The examination Of R0bt S. Forde, charged with
shooting RObt T. DiHsn, Clerk Of the House Of Repre-
sentadves, on the cath of April last vas commenced
yesterday in the Hastings Court Of this city.
Fhe witnesses for the Commonwealth we're called aud
OH except tWo OF three responded.
Senator's simms and Burnett, of Kentucky, appeared
aud qualified Attorneys TO practice in this Court and
took their seats associate counsel with Aessrs Ran
dOiph and Crump, for the defence.
On calling the witnesses for the defence several fail,
10 answer 90 their names.
After some consultation, Mr.. Crump arose and said
he reluctantly constrained. on behalf Of ID. nc
cased, to ask continuance Of this cause uu tLe Ii.
monthly term Of the Court on account Of TOE aDssuc,
Of Witnesses, who were very material TO h. sccc eli
who we're eonVersant with the c rcuu-,sn e, OF OF
which this unfortunate difficulty arose Ge prv.c.t
against the haste in which il propo>cdsto ~ he
accused, and claimed for him the rgnt 70 far i.i,
after the usual process had been puFsueI 20 camp
attendance Of his witnesses. Mr.. Crlmp al An n.
dAyit sworn to by the prisoner sh.t ne Assent Wit
nesses we're material to bis eauss Ia g-e snO -,,ry
:
upon it. &c.
After it was read. Mr.. Dau l. = e A'oru far the
% Commonwealth called up Als,r. uar. Mo 'ts.iisd
ia substance that Messrs. Ga. e.. zee, Hodge aud
Vest absent Eitnesses) v-re u,u er> OF Congress ;
that he believed, from in .e hal received that
Messrs. Garland and Brrcs a EFF me ci,y. aud that
he saw MeSsrs. Hodge anu IS. m K ehuond on the
previous day.
By Mr.. Crump-Dil Mr. Gsrard ever have any con.
versation with you ab0ur Ca, al;
A. None, except ,aat De regretted !: as a most IN
fortunate occurrence
Q. Did he never you Il DiIOu applied to him
for pstoli
A he never did.
Mr.. Crump pGOeee ded with his argument, urging that
the accused eouit No.. esp eaiv by tue laws Of Virgil
MA be refused ths prvl Sc Of Procuring his proof
He assumed thar bis he hlst occurrence in TIE
history Of this Coart ~ueIe conf uuee had been
fused when 'e-i'' o. iaI been found absent
on the first ct.- o. cle. Irc uniform practice of
every greaf - ur va goo r'c cytrs nan innocent
until be gu y, nj TO grant rea enable de sy
10 give bn, q n. u "a o., testimony he sought.
The Law 'euu'srG W b. unp, rant function than that
required & Bxaaa K CCuS. ind il should be e1er.
oised tend-ri, hrnal O., &c accused Mr. Crnmp
quoted rou fvnt sg'l sus5oriies 10 sustain his po
eitiou. o. 20. ucug' suS 10 deny that any Gaze
had ever Dr--ut s''Ougtr appeal Tor continuance
than .l : = 70 v cd c 900 o. a case in Which, where
it -roo " mt un,.p TT ealing tsria witness
va abse 90 csa c. was refused. BE made an
exc III e's. Ct YalandghAm, tried in Ohio by
drur-- cad G, ar, arrsl and such an example this
C5u s-svo 10 follow
C.uUD geo length, and quoted multitude
o p'e de- To stOE that the Court was legally and
jC L. hou4o 70 az 81 application As he approached
As c-n,llsion be said it would be impossible to get
thFolgl vi pc cause BY ~ o'clock on Saturday night
and taAt this Coz. could not extend the term 10 later
period.
NJ Siuus followed Mr.. Crum5. He referred to the
circumstances sti;h bad induced him to come here on
the present occasion. The young man trial was q
stranger 70 the Court and 70 almost every citizen here
stranger far from his home; but he was his country
mar and be had come 10 add his appeal to that which
bad been eloquenty and ably said by the learned
counsel who had Just taken bis seat lie mstOOk the
Justice Of Virginia if the Court refused to allow to him
the privilege which it would grant 20 one OF the hum.
best Of her own citizens. Though born 10 another
State some Of the best blood Of Virginia eoursed through
the veins Of this unfortunate young man.
The appeal Of Mr.. Smms was patbstc and hs en-
dorsaOns Of the honorable character Of the prisoner
were earnest aud sincere. he stated that the Richmond
prsss had blazoned forth accounts Of the killing OF
Dixon such as 70 the impression everywhere that
it was cOldolOoded murder and I'D TO this time no os
had been found 70 speak for Forde He assumed frat
this Court would no. hesitate to acquit the prisoner If il
was shown 70 be case of selfdefence and they ex.
peOted 70 procure testimony that il vas such case
Judge Burnett next addressed the Court in that strain
Of matches sloquence for which be Is disnsuishe1
BE concluded about o'clock, when the Coz
recess until P. n
Alter The rsssSembling Of tee Court Mr..
ETered his argument against the motion 70 CO
cause, and was followed By Gen Randolph On
side. The Arguments Of both we're able sud
bat lack Of space fsrbids the reporter to z
more IN detail
The Court, after consultation, decided to an
ton, and the case was accordingly continues
asxt term, commencing on the second honda
MIspENuAsoR CisEs.--The Grand Jury
day and found true bills against Rumbef
charged with mildemsanoFs.
TzE Tax AcT-Ths act Of Congress he's
for the support Of the government took q
ut the day Of ts approval BY the President Neitb