His whole property being thus securely conveyed to his faithful sons-in-law, and placed beyond the reach of his own weakness or change of purpose, Corey resolved on a course that would surely try to the utmost the power of human endurance and firmness.  He knew, that, if brought to trial, his death was certain.  He did not know but that conviction and execution, through the attainder connected with it, might invalidate all attempts of his to convey his property.  But it was certain, that, if he should not be brought to trial and conviction, his deed would stand, and nothing could break it, or defeat its effect.  He accordingly made up his mind not to be tried.  When called into court to answer to the indictment found by the Grand Jury, he did not plead “Guilty,” or “Not guilty,” but stood mute.  How often he was called forth, we are not informed; but nothing could shake him.  No power on earth could unseal his lips.

He knew that he could have no trial that would deserve the name.  To have pleaded “Not guilty” would have made him, by his own act, a party to the proceeding, and have been, by implication, an assent to putting his case to the decision of a blind, maddened, and utterly perverted tribunal.  He would not, by any act or utterance of his, leave his case with “the country” represented by a jury that embodied the passions of the deluded and infatuated multitude around him.  He knew that the gates of justice were closed, and that truth had fled from the scene.  He would have no part nor lot in the matter; refused to recognize the court, made no response to its questions, and was dumb in its presence.  He stands alone in the resolute defiance of his attitude.  He knew the penalty of suffering and agony he would have to pay; but he freely and fearlessly encountered it.  All that was needed to carry his point was an unconquerable firmness, and he had it.  He rendered it impossible to bring him to trial; and thereby, in spite of the power and wrath of the whole country and its authorities, retained his right to dispose of his property; and bore his testimony against the wickedness and folly of the hour in tones that reached the whole world, and will resound through all the ages.

When Corey took this ground, the Court found itself in a position of no little difficulty, and was probably at a loss what to do.  No information has come to us of the details of the proceedings.  If the usages in England on such occasions were adopted, the prisoner was three times brought before the Court, and called to plead; the consequences of persisting in standing mute being solemnly announced to him at each time.  If he remained obdurate, the sentence of peine forte et dure was passed upon him; and, remanded to prison, he was put into a low and dark apartment.  He would there be laid on his back on the bare floor, naked for the most part.  A weight of iron would be placed upon him, not quite enough to crush him.  He would have no sustenance,