Reading Time: 2 minutes [321 words]

WILLIAM WEUMS AND SEVEN OTHERS. 493

yours, gentlemen of the jury, to determine whether they are
guilty or not.

The cause is solemn and important; no less than whether
eight of your fellow subjects shall live or die! A cause
grounded on the most melancholy event that has yet taken
place on the continent of America, and perhaps of the great-
est expectation of any that haa yet come before a tribunal
of civil justice, in this part of the British dominions.

T am aware how difficult, in cases of this sort, it ever is, and
more especially so in these times, and in this trial, to pre-
serve the mind perfectly indifferent; but I remember, we are
bound, not only by the natural obligations towards God and
man, but also by an oath, to examine into the evidence of
fact without partiality or prejudice; I need not therefore to
eaution you of your duty in this respect. It is upon that
evidence and the law resulting from it, you, gentlemen, are,
in the language of your oath, to give a verdict; and I will
venture, beforehand, to pronounce that verdict righteous, if
it is founded in these principles: as the rule of your judg-
ment.

Tt has become my duty, it shall therefore be my endeavor,
to acquit myself in the course of this trial with decency and
eandor ; reflecting, that however interesting the question may
be, the object of our inquiry is simply that of truth, and that
this inquiry is to be conducted by the wisdom of the laws and
constitution.

In support of this accusation against the prisoners at the
bar, it is incumbent on the crown, to ascertain the following
things, viz. The identity of the persons charged. The fact of
Killing; and the circumstances attending and aggravating
that faet.

To this end, I shall immediately produce to you such evi-
dence, from the testimony of credible witnesses, as may be
sufficient to sustain the several indictments, and when I have
gone through the examination, make such remarks upon it as
may be most concise and pertinent to the present issue.

Related Posts