Reports of the Trials of Colonel Aaron Burr; (Late Vice President of the United States, ) for Treason ... in Preparing the Means of a Military Expedit

by Harman Blennerhassett

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1808 edition. ...obedience to its subpoena, and a witness is privileged from he cannot be arrested for any act of this description. In the 1st vol. of the Laws of the United States, p. 74, it is enacted, " That the laws of the several states, except where the constitution, treaties or statutes of the United States, shall otherwise require or provide, shall be regarded as rules of decision, in trials at common law, in the courts of the United States, in cases where they apply." There is no particular direction given in the laws of the United States, as to the privileges of witnesses; of coarse, whenever they come in question, it will be proper to inquire in the acts of the legislature of Virginia, how extensive their privileges are. In the revised code of the Laws of this state, p. 278, it is enacted, " That witnesses shall be privileged from arrests, in all cases except treason, felony, and breaches of the peace, during their attendance." The only cases in which a person who is a witness can be arrested, are treason, felony, and breaches of the peace. Here we might safely rest his defence; but every step he takes, as a soldier and patriot, he travels on so. lid ground. I trust that this court will say, that instead of obstructing the administration of justice, or deserving the smallest censure, for what he has done in this case, he has deserved well of his country, and merits the highest encomium. When. he looks back to these transactions, and the part he acted, as well towards Knox as to others, he will see no cause to blame himself for any thing he has done in public or private; but will feel that pride which conscious innocence never fails to inspire. He has risked his fortune, his life, and his fame, to save his country...

262 pages, Paperback

Published October 12, 2012