In fact, the storm lowered so darkly, that some friends of the persecuted individuals began to feel uneasy.  But Friend Hopper’s mind was perfectly undisturbed.  Highly respectable lawyers offered to conduct the cause for him; but he gratefully declined, saying he preferred to manage it for himself.  He informed the court that he presumed they understood the law, and he was quite sure that he understood the facts; therefore, he saw no need of a lawyer between them.  The Court of Sessions was held every month, and he appeared before it at almost every term, to demand a trial.  At last, in January 1840, when the hearing had been delayed fifteen months, he gave notice that unless he was tried during that term, he should appear on the last day of it, and request that a nolle prosequi should be ordered.  The trial not coming on, he appeared accordingly, and made a very animated speech, in which he dwelt with deserved severity on the evils of the police system, and on the efforts of a corrupt press to pervert the public mind.  He said he did not make these remarks to excite sympathy.  He was not there to ask for mercy, but to demand justice.  “And I would have you all to understand distinctly,” continued the brave old man, “that I have no wish to evade the charge against me for being an abolitionist.  I am an abolitionist.  In that, I am charged truly.  I have been an abolitionist from my early years, and I always expect to remain so.  For this, I am prosecuted and persecuted.  I most sincerely believe that slavery is the greatest sin the Lord Almighty ever suffered to exist upon this earth.  As sure as God is good and just, he will put an end to it; and all opposition will be in vain.  As regards myself, I can only say, that having lived three-score and nearly ten years, with a character that placed me above suspicion in such matters as have been urged against me, I cannot now forego the principles which have always influenced my conduct in relation to slavery.  Neither force on the one hand, nor persuasion on the other, will ever alter my course of action.”

One of the New-York papers, commenting on this speech, at the time, states that “the old gentleman was listened to very attentively.  He was composed, dignified, and clear in his manner, and evidently had much effect on the court and a large number of spectators.  He certainly needed no counsel to aid him.”

The court ordered a nolle prosequi to be entered, and the defendants were all discharged.  The suit for the reward proceeded no further.  David Ruggles had been early discharged, and the whole case had been completely before the public in pamphlet form; therefore the principal objects for urging it no longer existed.