He made great exertions to bring it into contempt, and when the next trial came on, he endeavored to persuade the witnesses that giving evidence was dishonorable, and he so far succeeded that the defendant was acquitted for want of evidence, when it was generally understood that there was proof of his guilt, which would have been satisfactory if it could have been brought forward.

For some time after this the prospect was rather unfavorable, though many of the students themselves opposed with great earnestness these efforts, and were much alarmed lest they should lose their free government through the perverseness of one of their number.

The attorney general, at this juncture, conceived the idea of indicting the individual alluded to for an attempt to overturn the government.

He obtained the approbation of the principal, and the grand jury found a bill.

The court, as the case was so important, invited some of the trustees, who were in town, to attend the trial.