The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-06-07
TRIAL OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Judge Underwood's Charge to the Jury


RICHMOND, VA, june 5-Judge Underwooxs, after
consultation with Genera Terry opened lie United
States District Court this morning Mes<rs- Reid.
Bradley. Brown, Edsam. and the eouu sci Of Davis
were present
Some delay occurred before the panneI was com
pieted-
Jalge Underwood dctvercd his charge, Of which
the following are he principal points
Gentlemen Of the Grand jury am happy TO meet
you sgain. and oknoy that yoa SUI living, not
witstanaing the assaults that have been made upon
you. Little needs to be said ia addition TO the
structious gwen Norfolk Your last session Is his
torieai AID trust fforts which have been made %
intmidate you aud 10 impede the course Of Justice,
wili mot nake YOU less faithful and earnest in the dis
charge Of your duties. the Judge tiIea referred in
sns seFerest terms, 10 the press OF Virginia. and the
city Of Richmond. for its share in the odieus slave
trade Complaints of threatened yiolenee AID niui
datou, which have been forwarded te by several
Of your number, for year late heroic and patriotic
tons, have been submitted the highest legal and
military authority of the Government aud can as
you Of the earnest sympathy, and firm support
of all officers OF the law, excepting the President
whom tie REASONABLE fatter and fawn uPoa, but
whom they will probably soon curse hard they
did two years ago. The Judge then recited the act
Furnishing INSTRUCTORS of justice. he charges them
that they will have exercise some restraint upon
1 the Press which has done much promote deeds
of assassination, murder and confusion, without any
stint, touching the famous trials, Flows:
But gentle men, let US act with moderation and dis
elimination. tor though prost tuted press is of
the greatest calamities, free and press is
one of the greatest blessings.
/ The Grand Jury retired when William r. Reid of
! Philadelphia then addressed the court follows:
=
junction with my colleagues the counsel for Jefer-
son Davis, prisoner of State at Fortress Monroe,
and under Indictment for high treason your Honor
Court. We find in the records of your Honor's Court
an Indictment charging Mr.. DAVIS with this high of
! fence, and it has seemed to due TO the of
justice, due this tribunal due the feelings of
! sort or another which be described ehrystal-
zing around the unfortunate that should come at
} the very earliest day to this tribunal
/ ssk if your Honsr or more properly the gentle
man who represents the United States, the simple
question What is to be done with this Indictment
Is it to be tred2 And this perhaps is question that
have right to ask: Is it to be withdrawn. is ii
to be suspended if it is be tried Nav it please
your honor speaking for my colleague and myself,
and my absent client / say it with earnes tness
that come here prepared Instantly try that case,
and shall ask delay your honor's hands, fur
the court and enable him. under the statute such
made and provided examine the bill OF indict-
against him. Ii is to be withdrawn, justice
and humanity to prompt that should know
| IT, or if it IS to be suspended or postponed.
Ii So may it please the court. with all respect to
your honor, the gentlemen who conduct the public
| business here, your honor must understand ~
| entering most earnest protest. ask a speedy
trial on any charge that may be brought against Mr..
Davis here in any other civil tribunal in the land
| W. may be representing. May il please the
/ court, lying for thirteen months has bee in
/ prison. The Constitution of the United States guar
antees him rot only impartial trial, which l am
surehe will have, but speedy trill,aud ehave come
a great dstance-we have with all respect TO
your honor-we have with strong sympathies
with client, professional and personal, and we
/ have come here simply to ask that question. ad-
dress it to the District Attorney, address it to
4 your Honor, as may be the more appropriate What
disposition is to be made of the bill of indctmen.
against Jefferson Davis for high treason, pending.
Maj. J. L. Hennesy Assistant New York District
Attorney said he had been entirely unaware of the
of the application just made in the absence OF
| District Attorney Mr.. Chandler. H, was not pre-
pared to answer the question, but would Immediately
telegraph that gentleman the of such appli-
cation having been made. Mr.. Chandler will proba-
| bly, arrive in Richmond this P. NJ.
Ii he failed arrive, Major Hennesey stated he
would himself be prepared to the question
morrow morning.
Judge Underwood addressed the counsel of Mr..
Davis-Am to understand that that will be satisfac-
tory?
Mr. Reid-Entirely so.
The Court then adjourned until tomorrow at
10 A.