Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-11-11
Correspondence Of the Free Pres. ]
Most truly yours,
JONI f. Wool.
Letter from Montreal.

Correspondence Of the Free Press
Letter from Montreal.
Tue CASE OF THE RAIDERS
Montreal Nov 4th, 1864.
Dear Free Press:
The main points o. the first
two days Of the hearing in the case Of the ST.
Adams freebooters. now in progress in this
city, have already been gwen you by telegraph.
I have only to fill in some Of the details The
hearing is held in the fine large Court House
fronting the Place D'-frmei, which is one Of
the ornaments Of the city. Though the case eI-
cites very strong interest here, the audiences
thus far have not been large. Perhaps fifty per-
sons, quarter Of whom were Vermonters in at
Tendance as witnesses on the case, crowded the
space allotted to spectators. in the little police
court room on the ground floor. in which the
hearing was expected to open on Wednesday
morning. The presence Of dozen more in the
hall, who would have got in if they could, made
il worth while to adjourn to the larger court
room upstairs.
The opening, set for 10 O'Clock on Wednesday
morning, was delayed by an application on the
part Of the counsel Of the prisoners to the court
Of Queens Bench, for a writ Of ha5eaI corpus
in behalf Of all the prisoners. 1t was urged on
frivolous grounds and was promptly rejected by
the court, judges Aylwin, .Nlondelet and
lrummoni, without argument on the part Of
tie prosecution. "Has there been final commit
meut after hearing in this case - asked Judg
AylwIn. ''None," WAS the answer. Then
there can be no writ granted" was the reply,
",he decision Of the court is that the petitioners
take nothing BY their petition SO they
took nothing except some time and a rebuff BY
that mauoeuyre. The regular hesring now
opened
JUDGE coURsOL
who holds the hearing, is judge Of the Court Of
Sessions, his jurisdiction as police magistrate
extending over the counties south to the line.
Ie is Frenchmsn, in the prime Of life, black
haired, with black moustache and beard upon
his chin. He speaks English well, with slight
French sccent His reputation is that Of ms
s.,trate Of decision and courage. not very cru
iite perhaps, but clearheaded and knowing
how and where to get assistance when he needs
It On knot,y point oflaw.
TIE COUNSEL
f5r the prisoners are Mr.. Abbott. a lawyer Of
some eminence At this bar. Mr.. Kerr, Of whom I
happen to know very little, and Mr. L.famme,
a young French lawyer, who an told is a les
der Of the "Rouges' " party, man Of decided
ability, and who promises to become one Of the
most distinguished members OF the Montreal bar.
On the part Of the prosecution are Mr.. CAR
TER. who is "Clerk Of the Crown" and sets in
this case as Queens Counsel" To his ap-
pearance in this capacity the defence objected at
the outset as forbidden by the Canadian Statutes;
but the objection believe has been withdrawn
Mr. JOHNSON assists as Queens Counsel
Nessrs Epson and SowLEs of ST. Adams, ap
. pear ANl INT ,l =AAu1ue Dauhh Aus ttuueci
for the United States are Mr. BERNARD DEv-
LING, gentleman Of high standing as a crimi-
nal lawyer, and Hon GEo F. EDsUSDs, who
was engaged by Gov. Smith, pursuant to in
structions from the Department Of State At
Washington. and who has thus far been the on
" American lawyer present as representative Of
our Government He has, however, taken nc
open part in arguments or examination, conhn-
ing himselfto close watch Of the proceedings,
and to the important assistance which his high
ability, learning and acuteness enable him to Of
fer to the Canadian lawyers in the way Of sug-
gestion and advice. He has to-day, as | learn
secured as additional counsel for the Uuitet
States, Hon. JoHS ROSE, well known as tn,
leading member Of the Montreal bar, who vii
bring his eminent talent and experience to th'
important questions involved. There is thus Ne
ground for fear that the interest OF the Unite,
States will suffer for the lack of able counsel.
THE PRISONERS
fill the jury box at the right hand Of the judge
They are fourteen in number, sll with one o
two exceptions under 25 years Two or thre
are smooth-faced fellows Of apparently Is or L
years. Two or three have rather hard faces
Young, tie leader, is one Of these. Though con
stantly smiling there is a dare devil look in hi
eye, which he probably owes to something els
than attention to his theological studies. Hutch
inson, the one last caught, and one Of the Olde:
Of the gang, has bad face, which he has trie
to disguise by putting on spectacles and Shawn
off his whiskers Wallace is a handsome, res,
lutte looking young man. The others did NJ
strike me as particularly desperate, wicked {
brilliant in appearance. They are well dresse,
/ showing decided change for the better in thi
; respect since they left st. Johns. thanks to Il
l. attentions Of their secesh friends in this cit
= and look rosy and well fed, but are by no meal
e as cheerful and unconcerned as when they we
Il first caught. On the contrary thought l d
I, tected considerable anxiety in the faces of mo
: of them, as they we're identified by the witnes
IL es, and watched the proceedings which tn
/. have begun to realize may result in their CO.
r signment to the felon's cell or gallowsL
THE HEARING
/, commenced with the reading Of the ''inforrr
2 tons on the six different charges, of robbie
Is Of the banks, murder of Morrison, assault wi
!, intent to kill, hOrse-stealing, robbery of
ii Breck, and arson. After which the court 8
iourned for that day Yesterday the e1smir
- - ton of witnesses on the charge of robbery Of
in banks commenced in earnest. Mr.. Sovles,
u .h:n.. nf IL. E.. Na..nnaI R.nk .a..;sad