Besides the sensation created here, it has been noticeable that a general scattering—“on leave”—of certain subordinates, has taken place during the late “inquest.” It is doubtful if Stephen will, even here, have a chance to confront the mysterious “matron.” The fright of the trial being apparently over, the fugitives from the Alms-House will doubtless return forthwith. Under the discipline of these precincts they will find their best protection, as well from the impertinence of cross-examining lawyers, as from the no less stringent inquiries of a keen public curiosity, mainly aroused by the suppression of the inside testimony which could be found here. The nature and source of this I have already pointed out. Should the motion in arrest of judgment reopen the trial, it will doubtless be for the admission of the main evidence in the case, so mysteriously and adroitly evaded by the prosecution. Then only can the provoking rumors, now so general, be set at rest, or satisfactorily determined. The fate of Branch here, it appears, will be in no degree lenient, as there is more than one petty tyrant under the vice royalty who seems desirous of venting his spleen upon the unfortunate man. He has taken his place, it appears, already, by direction of the keepers, beside the common fellows in the quarries. The directions of one of the Governors is quoted to the effect that he would be “put through the roughest course of training any man ever got on the Island.” I have purposely withheld a variety of matters in connection with these precincts this week, until the interests with Stephen, with regard to the Ten Governors, is more definitively settled. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen H. Branch’s Alligator. ------------------------------------------------------ New York, Saturday, August 21, 1858. ---------------------------------------------------------------- If there be one thing more than another on which we had fully made up our minds it is this: that our country is pre-eminently free—yea, the freest in the whole family of nations. But the history of the past week has taught us how very easily it is to be mistaken. The trial of Stephen H. Branch in our Court of Sessions, a few days ago, teaches us a lesson which we ought not soon to forget. From the time that our great nabob, Mayor Tiemann, associated with the Peter Cooper _guild_, first made their complaint, or “Trinity” of complaints, down to the passing of the sentence in the Court of Sessions, the trial was one of the most vindictive and one-sided affair, on the part of the prosecution, that we recollect during our sojourn on this “miserable globe.”