The adulation to which he had been so long accustomed tended to increase a natural, and perhaps not wholly unjustifiable, haughtiness of manner.
The Government was represented by Asahel R.Huntington, of Salem, District Attorney for the district which included Essex and Middlesex.

He was a man of great intellectual vigor, unquestioned honesty and courage, possessed of a high sense of the dignity and importance of his office, very plain spoken, and not at all likely to be overawed by any opposing counsel, whatever his fame or dignity.

Yet he had a huge reverence for Daniel Webster, whom, like the other Massachusetts Whigs of that day, he probably thought as another described him-- The foremost living man of all the world! The case was tried three times: The first time at Concord, the second time at Lowell, and the third time at Concord.
Mr.Webster had several quite angry encounters with the court and with the prosecuting attorney.

He was once extremely disrespectful to Judge Washburn, who replied with great mildness that he was sure the eminent counsel's respect for his own character would be enough to prevent him from any disrespect to the court.

Mr.Webster was disarmed by the quiet courtesy of the judge, and gave him no further cause for complaint.
At Lowell, where Wyman was convicted, Webster saw the case going against him, and interrupted the charge of the judge several times.