consider it so imperfect as to authorize them to reject evidence
offered under it.

_Key_ then went on to prove that certain libels found in the possession
of the prisoner were circulated in the District.

_Gen. Hunter_ identified one of the tracts as a copy of one sent to him
through the post office, marked one cent postage, both the tract and
envelope of which having been burnt. He thought it strange the postage
from New York should be only one cent. It was about the time the city
was inundated with abolition papers.

_Coxe_ objected to the testimony, if the paper was destroyed.

_Key_ was called as a witness by Bradley, and testified that the paper
handed the witness was one of them handed in at the jail as found upon
Crandall, and had not been out of his possession, since.

_Bradley_ remarked that the paper was a July number, and had not been
published when Crandall came from New York. If, by the testimony showed,
they were all delivered in New York, this paper could not have been
found upon him.

_James A. Kennedy_ was shown a paper, and said his initials were on it.
A considerable number of the same came on in a bag--about a bushel and a
half--from New York, some of which were delivered and some were returned
to the post office. The rest were not delivered at all. He did not
recollect any of the same kind sent before, though many had been sent
since, every month, as late as March last. They came in an envelope
addressed to single individuals. The postage for a sheet was two and a
half cents. These were marked half a sheet, and some were charged one
cent and a quarter; afterwards, they were found to be more than half a
sheet, and were charged two and a half cents, as for a whole one. There
was no postmark put upon them, as that is confined wholly to letters.

_Benj. E. Giddings_ saw some of these papers at the time spoken of by
Mr. Kennedy; and never saw any before July last. They all came in a bag,
and he did not think any were dropped into the post office here. The
office here, as well as at Georgetown, had been watched to see if any
were put in by persons here.

The two last witnesses were clerks in the post office.

_Mr. Ball_ said the papers were given to him at the jail, after
Crandall's examination, and he kept them locked up till they were sent
for and delivered to Mr. Key at his office.

It appeared that they were kept at the office some time, and were sealed
and labelled by Charles McNamee, tho