The Trial of Reuben Crandall, M.D.: Charged with Publishing and Circulating Seditious and Incendiary Papers, &c. in the District of Columbia, with the Intent of Exciting Servile Insurrection. Carefully Reported, and Compiled from the Written Statements of the Court and the Counsel. — John Shaqi
The Trial of Reuben Crandall, M.D.: Charged with Publishing and Circulating Seditious and Incendiary Papers, &c. in the District of Columbia, with the Intent of Exciting Servile Insurrection. Carefully Reported, and Compiled from the Written Statements of the Court and the Counsel.Unknown
History
The Trial of Reuben Crandall, M.D.: Charged with Publishing and Circulating Seditious and Incendiary Papers, &c. in the District of Columbia, with the Intent of Exciting Servile Insurrection. Carefully Reported, and Compiled from the Written Statements of the Court and the Counsel.
Unknown
American Anti-Slavery Society; Crandall, Reuben, 1805?-1838 -- Trials, litigation, etc.; Slavery -- Washington (D.C.); Trials (Seditious libel) -- Washington (D.C.)
_Witness._ No. Witness was looking at the botanical preparations in the
office, and seeing this and other tracts on the subject of abolition
lying about, he took up one and remarked, "the latitude is too far south
for these things;" "they won't do here;" but, "by your leave, I will
take this and read it over." Crandall was at the time engaged in taking
out preparations of plants from a large trunk. There were three of these
pamphlets on the table, but don't know whether they were taken from
the trunk or not. Crandall used newspapers, or something like them, as
wrappers for the preserved plants. Witness is not a slaveholder himself.
Witness after looking over the pamphlet threw it on the desk in
Linthicum's store, and afterwards threw it under the counter. When the
excitement arose, looked for it and could not find it. Had thought
nothing about it till then. Did not remember what words were written
on the pamphlet. Crandall did not call his attention to the tracts.
He asked Crandall for the pamphlet, as a loan, and took it away with
Crandall's leave. Crandall never asked for it afterwards. He saw
something written on the pamphlet, and recollects that Crandall at his
examination in the jail, admitted the words, "please read and circulate"
to have been written by himself. He saw in Crandall's shop two or
three of them, not more than three. The plants were enveloped in large
newspapers. Crandall had been in Georgetown about three weeks or a
month, at this time. Witness was frequently in the shop. Crandall was
much engaged in gathering and preserving plants.
_Key_ proposed to read from the pamphlet.
_Coxe_ objected that the publication, with the malicious intent charged,
had not been proved, and that it was necessary before going into any
other evidence to make out the fact of publication. The paper could not
be read to show the intent, when no evidence of publication is offered
to show such a publication as is charged; and he cited various
authorities of no interest to the general reader.
_Key_ argued that possession alone of a known published libel, was
evidence of publication sufficient to call upon the defendant to show
how he came by it. The intent was to be inferred from the character of
the libel: and the evidence he had already given was sufficient _prima
facia_ evidence to put the prisoner to his defence, and allow the libel
to be read to the jury. He meant to show other circumstances which would
show the intent. If the evidence of having given one to a witness, and
having in possession a bundle of other similar libels was not enough,
then a man has only to keep them on hand, and take care not to give them
away; but he may tell every body that he has them, and advertise them
from one end of the country to the other; and may give them to every
body who chooses to call for them, without any danger from the law.
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