(Collected and published at the request of some Christians of various denominations.) "Naturam hominis hanc Deus ipse voluit, ut duarum rerum cupidus et appetens esset- LANCTANTIUS de Falsa Sapientia Lib. III. B. ii. [Copy Right Secured.] PRINTED BY BEALS, HOMER & CO. 9969 P3 Much misrepresentation concerning the origin, nature and object of the prosecution against Mr. Kneeland, having been industriously circulated in various parts of the United States, some friends of religion and law thought it might be useful to the cause of truth, to obtain the views and arguments of the prosecuting officer as expressed at the trials, and place them before the public with accuracy and authenticity. It is known that Mr. K. or his friends have already put to the press their account of the first trial with his Counsel's celebrated argument at length, for on the trial of the appeal Mr. Dunlap read that printed argument to the Jury; therefore those who wish to read both sides of this case will have an opportunity. 217-H IN THE MUNICIPAL COURT OF BOSTON, Tuesday, January 21st, 1834. Mr. S. D. Parker, in behalf of the Commonwealth, opened the cause as follows: In the progress of official duty, Gentlemen of the Jury, I come to the cause now to be submitted to your investigation and decision with much reluctance, both on account of its painful and disgusting nature, and because the severe pressure of the business of this term of the Court has allowed me no sufficient time for preparation in a prosecution so important to the community, and so deeply affecting the venerable looking person now put on trial for an offence, the commission of which could never have been anticipated from a head silvered over with the common emblems of age and wisdom. You yourselves, Gentlemen, have seen how assiduous and constant the labours of the Court have been since the commencement of this term fifteen days ago in the trials of those cases in which the prisoners denied their guilt; and when you are informed that in the two days in which the Grand Jury pursued their enquiries I was necessarily with them all the time. and examined one hundred and fifty Witnesses to extract the truth and circumstances of the many diversified cases before them in which they directed Indictments, and in those additional cases also where they found no bills; when besides the examination of these numerous witnesses, thirty-nine Bills of Indictment were to be drawn on Tuesday evening and night, ready for the Grand Jury's return to Court on Wednesday morning, many o them necessarily long and complex from the nature and circumstances of the crimes charged; when you consider that in this Court already this term an unusual number of Verdicts have been rendered in important trials, in several of which diligent and able Counsel have exhausted their skill in cross-examination of witnesses and their oratorical powers in elaborate addresses to the Jury, and that moreover I was called yesterday into the Supreme Court and obliged by duty as Attorney of the Commonwealth, to pass the whole day on the trial of an appeal there pending and further, that I never saw or heard of this blasphemous Libel until it was sent a few days ago into the Grand Jury room for notice; you will readily perceive how little opportunity has been afforded the Government's Attorney, (wholly unassisted in his labours) for a proper preparation in this prosecution, which, from its nature, is of vital importance in a christian community, and from the crowds which throng this. Hall of |