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The Connecticut Observer, And New York Congregationalist
Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut
What is this article about?
Trial of Rev. Robert J. Breckenridge in Baltimore City Court for libel against James L. Maguire, keeper of the Alms House, over a 1839 magazine article calling the institution a 'Papal mass house.' Notable counsel on both sides; defense argues lack of malice.
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The City Court room was thronged on Tuesday morning, 10th inst. with a respectable auditory, to listen to the trial of the Rev. Robt. J. Breckenridge, indicted for a libel on Mr. James L. Maguire, keeper of the Baltimore County and City Alms House.
The article alleged to be libellous, was published in the Baltimore Literary and Religious Magazine in November, 1839. The paragraph, after stating that a Catholic German was improperly imprisoned and confined in that institution, denominated the establishment "a Papal mass house, a Papal prison, with a Papal keeper," and other epithets substantially of the same character. For this publication, the Grand Jury at its late sitting, found a true bill, that Mr. Breckinridge did unlawfully, &c. publish and print in the above named Magazine the libel for which he was indicted.
Mr. B. appeared in Court this morning for his trial, with the Hon. William C. Preston, U. S. Senator from South Carolina, the Hon. John C. Crittenden, U. S. Senator from Kentucky, and Wm. Schley, Esq. of Baltimore, as his counsel.
Counsel on the part of the State are, George R. Richardson, Esq., Deputy Attorney General, and Charles H. Pitts, Esq.
Mr. Richardson opened the case to the jury on the part of the prosecution, by briefly stating the facts as set forth in the indictment, when he called Mr. David Owen who testified that Mr. B. and Mr. Andrew B. Cross, are the Editors of the Magazine in which the alleged libel appeared.
Mr. Schley opened the case for the defence, and spoke at some length in respect to the course it will take during the trial. He then proposed to call witnesses to show that the traverser was informed from respectable authority of the correctness of the charges published, and of the entire absence of malice on his part; which being objected to on the part of the counsel for the State, the point of the admissibility of the testimony was being argued before the court up to the close of this report.
Baltimore Patriot.
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Baltimore
Event Date
Tuesday Morning, 10th Inst.
Key Persons
Outcome
trial ongoing; argument on admissibility of defense testimony.
Event Details
Rev. Breckenridge tried for libel in Baltimore City Court over a 1839 magazine article criticizing the Alms House as a 'Papal mass house' and its keeper. Prosecution presented facts and testimony on editorship. Defense seeks to show truth of charges and lack of malice; admissibility debated.