"You are, I may be sure, gentlemen, freeholders?" enquires
his honour, with a mechanical bow. They answer simultaneously in the
affirmative, and then, forming in a half circle, lay their hands on
a volume of Byron, which Fetter makes do for a Bible, and subscribe
to the sacred oath Felsh administers. By the Giver of all Good will
they return a verdict according to the evidence and the facts.
"Gentlemen will take their seats" (the officer must preserve order
in the court!) "the prisoner may also sit down," says Felsh, the
words falling from his lips with great gravity, as, opening the
revised statutes, he rises to address the jury.
"Gentlemen of the Jury!"-suddenly hesitates for a moment-"the solemn
duties which you are now called upon to perform" (at this moment
Terrance M'Quade draws a small bottle from his pocket, and after
helping himself to a portion of its contents passes it to his
fellows, much to the surprise of the learned Felsh, who hopes such
indecorum will cease) "and they are duties which you owe to the
safety of the state as well as to the protection of your own
families, are much enhanced by the superior mental condition of the
criminal before you." Here Mr. Felsh calls for a volume of Prince's
Digest, from which he instructs the jury upon several important
points of the law made and provided for making the striking a white
person by a slave or person of colour a capital offence. "Your
honour, too, will see the case to which I refer-'State and
Prudence!'" The learned gentleman extends the book, that his august
eyes may have a near view.
Pages:
700
701
702
703
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714
715
716
717
718
719
720
721
722
723
724