| 528 and honorably, and stood up in the defense of the persecuted in a manner worthy of high-minded and honorable gentlemen. Some had even been told that if they engaged on the side of the defense they need never look to the citizens of that county for any political favors; but they were not to be overawed by the popular clamor, or [to] be deterred from an act of public duty by any insinuations or threats whatever, and stated that if they had not before determined to take a part in the defense, they, after hearing the threats of the community, were now fully determined to discharge their duty. The counsel for the defense spoke well, without exception, and strongly urged the legality of the court examining testimony to prove that the whole proceedings on the part of Missouri were base and illegal, and that the indictment was obtained through fraud, bribery, and corruption.
"The court after hearing the counsel adjourned about half-past six o'clock p. m.
"While I was at dinner a man rushed in and said, 'Which is Joe Smith? I have got a five dollar Kirtland bill, and I'll be damned if he don't take it back I'll sue him, for his name is to it.' I replied, 'I am the man,' took the bill and paid him the specie; which he took very reluctantly, being anxious to kick up a fuss.
"The crowd in the court was so intense that Judge Douglas ordered the sheriff of Warren County to keep the spectators back; but he neglected doing so, when the Judge fined him ten dollars. In a few minutes he again ordered the sheriff to keep the men back from crowding the prisoner and witnesses. He replied, 'I have told a constable to do it,' when the Judge immediately said, 'Clerk, add ten dollars more to that fine.' The sheriff, finding neglect rather expensive, then attended to his duty.
"A young lawyer from Missouri volunteered to plead against me. He tried his utmost to convict me, but was so high with liquor and chewed so much tobacco that he often called for cold water. Before he had spoken many minutes he turned sick, requested to be excused by the court, and went out of the courthouse, puking all the way down stairs
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