Closing Argument of Calvin A. Warren, 28 May 1845 [State of Illinois v. Williams et al.]
Source Note
, Closing Argument, [, Hancock Co., IL, 28 May 1845], State of IL v. Williams et al. (Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court 1845). Copied [ca. 28 May 1845]; handwriting of ; docket by , [, Hancock Co., IL, ca. 28 May 1845]; six pages; Columbia University, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, New York.
see if something more could not be done The language of the wit <> was that Grover wanted to come to and see what would be done with the public arms— He also said the object in going to was to take the Smiths out of jail back to and hang him attending to the Legal consequences <that there awaited him> 1 Star on Ev 501 Here alludes refer to 1 Star on Ev p 501 on the subject of circumstantial evidence.
You are sworn to administer to us the spirit of that law—
The object was not to do violence Some one it is true did swear that something was said about blowing the jail to the devil, But at the same time Some in the crowd had a laudable object in view, <& these def[endan]ts were of the latter kind—>
Suppose these men are guilty would they have talked thus publicly about the act crime they were about to commit—
I do not know of the man who has not complained of Morn [Mormon] oppression in harsher terms than these men— You cant let these men off without letting all off on All are equally guilty The transaction is one, and what ever was going on one of these defendants is as guilty as the rest I know not on what principle he expects to procure a [p. 4]