The sun., 1896-09-20
TIE LAURADA,S TRlP.
Testimony that Gen. RuioT and Twenty.
four Men Were Taken on hoard at Sea.


WILMINGTON, Del. Sept. 1o.--The case OF Ed
ward Murphy, Captain OF the steamer Laurada.
came before United States Commissioner Smith
this morning. H. II. Ward opened tho case in a
brief argument. contending that the warrant
under which the arrest was made was defective.
JOSS ConGosta, in his affidavit said he was
"creditabiy informed" and upon such in
formation and belief" charged that tho de-
lendant had, on or about Aug. 8, put on foot n
military expedition against the King of Spain.
lie quoted n decision of Justice Icy to show
that action should not hold: that personal
knowledge" OF the offence charged should be
required. Mr.. Ward closed by saying: "I now
move that this warrant be Quashed."
District Attorney Vandegrift contended that
the warrant Was sufficiently clear and that the
decision OF Justice Bradley merely had reference
to the Fifth judicial district of the United States
Senator Gray replied at some length. holding
that Justice Bradleys decision applied to the en-
tire country. He held that Counsel Conyosta
had not made n single charge, but was only
credltably informed " that certain of en ces ad
been committed. He dwelt upon the fact that
the Constitution provided for the liberty OF every
citizen and made an eloquent speech on personal
liberty. He referred in a cRustic vein to Con-
COSTA, who assumed upon some hear.ay evidence
He exclaimed:
What is liberty IL Is to be stiiled by the
breath OF Spanish Consult"
A fter some further contention Commissioner
smith decided that the warrant was properly
drawn. Jacob f. Bryne OF Philadelphia a Gus
toms officer. testified to the Laurada getting
clearance papers for San Antonio and with
drawn and clearing for Wilmington Collector
Iownsend testified to the clearance OF the boat
from this point
George Cowley, colored, who had been steward
on the schooner Bermuda, testified that he was
engaged by John ID. Hart who is present here
with Capt. Kerr as y seaman for the Lauraua
When the boat was of Barnegat n steam launch
with Gen. Ruloff and twenty four men came
aboard, anu the tug Richard X. Fox came out
with lighter loaded with packages. II took
ak houra 10 transfer the cargo to the steamer
Five yawl boats were also taken on board The
packages taken from the lighter contained rIieu
aud cartridges and two cannon. The men taken
on board had number of canvas bags
When the witness got to the point where tho
vessel WAS sighted off NAvassa q dispute arose
between Senator Gray and District Attorney
NandeRrift as to the admissIbility OF certain
evidence. The witness said that one OF the men
who Camc off from the Fox had said his father
and brother had been Killed in Cuba. and he
was going there to fight. A pilot had come on
board from the Fox. or Navassa the tuu
DauntleSs came to the Laurada and took OF ali
tho mon but four and a lot OF boxes and twn
yawl boats were taken on In the Delaware River
The Dauntless returned and got the rcst of
the boxes and tho other four men three ~
whom were in chains The Dauntless then
left, and when she returned one of the crew told
witness that the material had been safely landed
In Cuba. The Laurada then coalel at Savnssa
and went to San Antonio