The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1836-02-29
Private Correspondence
WASHINGTON, Feb. DC, 1886.

Old Major Wharton, when Sergeant at Arms of the
House, was asked by John Randolph, then member,
what the House "es about the old veteran replied,
about some OF their ID nonsense for which free
expression OF ms mind he turned out of his Office
Ii you to ask what Congress was about
aHd what they had been about for these two months
would reply, =" their ID nonsense" The phrase
has meaning in il. Every word in it may be enpha-
tlZed with propriry aud effect. Their nonsense is of
character peculiar, inmiiable, and except TO specta,
tors, unnteiligible.
The negro, john Arthur Brown, who was to be hanged
to-day for attempted murder of his mistress, Mrs.
Thornton, widow Of Doctor Thornton late Superinfen
dent OF the Patent Office, has been resped bv order of
the President, until the LIST of June. John is lad of
eighteen and Is the of the late eccentric and inge
NOUS Doctor Thornton. He was brought up in the
family OF the Doctor as pet, and promised his
freedom. The Doctor died without fulfilling the pro-
MISE but John vas treated by his mistress with the Ut
most kindness ard indulgence. He had been we edu-
Gated, and master Of the dangerous gifts of reading
and writing. His accomplishments attracted the aen-
ton of the Abolitionists, and he was particularly no.
ticed 1t Is said, by one Crande then the Arthur Tap
pan agent in this District John attended the abolition
meetings, where whskey was appealed TO in copious
draughs in aid Of their great designs which, as the Tan
pans have the impudence TO tell us be carried our
tor the support of our holy religion" John was flat
tered into the belief that he the appointed cyerer
OF his people from bondage, and tainted with his
white blood and disappointed promises of freedom. He
seized an axe and commenced the career of abolition
indicated to him. The entrance to the house of his
mistress was found closed and fastened, but he forced
IL With blow. Rushing TO Mrs. Thonnlon's chamber
he burst open the door, and raising the axe ATTEMPTED
TO slaughter her as she lay in her bed. His mother
who slept in the room Of her mistress having been
aroused by the nolse at the bedside in time 10
seize the Infatuated boy and hold him until Mrs Thorn
ton escaped from the house. John has frequently con-
essed, or rather declared SINCE that il was his inen-
ton TO kill her, and that he would kill her If ever he
could get the chance. The lady in the mean time sold
john while he was running, before his arrest but the
purchaser gave him up 10 the civil authority, and re-
claimed bis money Mrs. Il. has, since his conviction
exered herself in the most active aud jealous manner
to procure his eprieve General jackson told her over
and over again. that TO grant her request would be rea
to the interests and safety of the communication
she has succeeded so far as to obtain postponement
OF the execution.
l simply state current rumor and nothing more. and
do not assume any responsibility for mvselr when |
state that it is very freely avowed here that Mr. CLAW
will yet be candidate for the Presidency of the United
States The story is reasonable and plnu sible-s ge-
nerally and implicitly believed bv the friends of the
Administration, and Gen. Jackson and Mr. Van Buren,
both say that they have no doubt of the fact Recollect
that give you but the rumor of political city, when
l say that il is confidently asserted that Mr. CLAW will
be candidate for the Presidency of the United States
LATEST FROM TExAs.-A letter received al New Or
leans from Texas, states that force Of $500 men had
been short time before Laredo and that 1900 ofthem
had advanced far the Rio Fro so miles from San
Antonio. An attack the city was daily expected
In the Alamo there but Is men, and very little
provisions. A proclamation had been issued by the
acting governor, calling volunteers to go TO the de-
fence of San Antonio The Texans are getting cut an
army to 60 against Mstamoras.
They have also resolved to fit out any privateers
they had previously determined on doing and mer-
chants trading TO Mexican ports need not be under any
apprebensions from such quarters.
FROM FLoRIDA.-The Tallahassee Floridian of the
18th instant states that companies of militia had started
from that place for st. Marks and thence they were TO
proceed TO Tampa Bay. These added to the recruits
will amount TO HOO 1000 effective men. No new ac-
counts of Indian ravages have been received. The u
5. troops concentrating in Florida amount to $500
and the Indians 5000 all being species of wild cavalry
MORE HOAxIsG.-Another vulgar fabrication ap-
peared in the Sun of Saturday. under the Police head
entitled how got his head shaved in a mistake"
We are authorised by Justice Palmer to state posi-
lively that there is not word of truth in the story
from the beginning to the end that such person
as is described by the reporter Of the Sum- appear
ed at the Upper Police Office, and that the whole is
base fabrication and gross libel upon the character of
every person connected with that Office that the re-
porter of the Sun has been the Upper Police
Office for great length of time, and consequently that
he could have had no authority for publishing snoh
unbushing forgery. Justice Palmer himself feeling
that he unjustly assaed in the story in question
went to the Office of the Sun and demonstrated against