195 Sheet – American State Trials 1918 Volume X Leo Frank Document

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Here is the translated text as follows:

THE TRIAL OF JOHN HODGES FOR TREASON, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, 1815

THE NARRATIVE

During the War of 1812, while the British army was retreating from Washington, four stragglers and a deserter were captured by the people of a town in Maryland through which the army passed. Upon discovering this, the British commander sent a demand to the town that the prisoners were to be delivered up at once, or he would return and burn it. A committee of the townspeople decided that they must save it from being laid in ashes, and John Hodges and another were appointed to demand the prisoners from the guard that had taken charge of them. They did so, and upon obtaining possession of the prisoners, returned them to the British officer.

John Hodges, for his share in the transaction, was indicted for High Treason in the United States Court at Baltimore. However, the jury's verdict was not guilty, as they were of the opinion that though he may have "given aid and comfort" to the enemy, the circumstances under which he acted formed a good and sufficient excuse.

THE TRIAL

In the Circuit Court of the United States, Baltimore, Maryland, May 1815.

**Hon. Gabriel Duvall**
**Hon. James Houston**, Judges.

The prisoner, John Hodges, having been previously indicted for the crime of High Treason, his trial began.

**Bibliography:**
"Report of the Trial of John Hodges, Esq. on a Charge of High Treason. Tried in the Circuit Court of the United States for the Maryland District, at the May Term, 1815. Baltimore, 1815."

**Duvall, Gabriel (1752-1844):** Born and died in Prince George's County, Maryland.

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