.

For the Senate to sustain any such plea would in my judgment be a gross violation of the already violated Constitution and laws of a free people." When the counsel on both sides had finished, a certain period was allowed for senators to prepare and file their opinions on the case.
This was done by twenty-nine senators( 4) and the question was thus re-argued with consummate ability, for the Senate contained a number of lawyers of high rank and long experience at the bar.

On the 11th of May the Senate was ready to vote, and the interest in the result was intense.

There had been much speculation as to the position of certain senators, but as all the members of the body had maintained discreet silence during the trial, it was impossible to forecast the result with any degree of certainty.

The only judgment that had the least significance was founded on the votes given to admit or to reject certain testimony proposed by the President's counsel.