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THE TRIAL OF JOHN HODGES FOR TREASON,
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, 1815.

THE NARRATIVE.

During the war of 1812, while the British army was retreat-
ing from Washington, four stragglers and a deserter were
eaptured by the people of a town in Maryland, through which
the army passed. On discovering this the British commander
sent a demand to the town that the prisoners were to be deliv-
ered up at once or he would return and burn it. A committee
of the towns people decided that they must save it from being
laid in ashes and John Hodges and another were appointed
to demand the prisoners from the guard that had taken charge
of them, They did so, and obtaining possession of the pris-
oners returned them to the British officer.

John Hodges, for his share in the transaction, was indicted
tor High Treason in the United Statea Court at Baltimore;
but the jury’s verdict was not guilty, they being of the opinion
that though he may have ‘given aid and comfort’’ to the
enemy, the cireumstances under which he acted formed a
good and snfficient exeuse.

THE TRIAL?

In the Circwit Court of the United States, Baltimore, Mary-
land, Hay, 1815.

How Gasrren Dovar1,?

How Jamzs Houston,* } Judges.
‘The prisoner, John Hodges, having been previously in-
dicted for the crime of High Treason, his trial began

1 Bibliography. *Report of the Trial of John Hodges, Keg. on a
Charge of High Treason. Tried in the Cireuit Court of the United
Btates for the Maryland District, at the May Term, 1815. Ballti-
more, 1815.”

2DovauL, Gaprtet, (1752-1844.) Born and died Prince George

168

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