Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-02-12

SUPERIOR CoURr-Saturday, February l0.-Before
Judge jones.
Albert Woodruff ct. al. versus John Robertson et
al.-Ths was an action to recover So 000 with inter-
est, being the amount of note made by the defend
ants, and received by the plaintiffs in the way of
business.
The case was only important as being defended on
the ground of usury, and showing the feelings of
jury on the subject of the money transactions that
took place in the city during the severe pressure.
The principal witness examined was Mr. Buck the
broker. Buck is@a good honest fellow, times 90,
but one Of the shrewdest business men among money
brokers-he can shave TO a sixteenth part of a cent
and vet she hath an eye for pity and hand open az
the day for melting charity"
The case excited considerable interest and afforded
much amusement during its progress. On the one
Of Assistant Aldermen, (Caieb Woodruff conducted
the case; the elder Griffin and his friend conducted
the aefence.
When Mr.. Buck was put upon the stand Mr. Griffin
endeavoured to extract from him an account of the
shaving system pursued in Wall street during the
panic, but it no 60" 1.-THE broker was 100 deep
for the lawyer
Amongst other things Mr. B. testified that he
bought the note in question for $4,000 Of }. Robert
son a. Sen, and sold il again for 81, 900 whence il
passed to the hands Of the plaintiffs.
Grifin-Hereis piece of paper, Mr.. Buck.
B.-I see il locks like piece Of paper.
G.-But here several items on il, Mr.. Buck.
B.-Thats very possible.
B-Thats more than can tell.
G.-You're an unwilling Witness Mr.. Buck.
B.-Not at all.
G.-Then tell us what this $500 meant
Bit means $780,
G-How came it down on this paper2
because some one wrote it there with pen and
ink, presume won't swear positively.
G.-What is it fort
Bit was loan Of $500.
G.-What is this 81, 800 fort
B-Another loan on the same note.
G.-Thisis an account with J. Robertson & Son.
B.-Possiby.
G.-J. r. & Son means J. Robertson & Son, does
il not7
Bit may mean that, or something else.
G.-Whafs the $3.50 for, ~ days INTEREST,"
Bits $50 for II days interest.
G.-Then what's this s379.64 aggregate interest
for7
Bits 1919 GA aggregate interest.
Citizen what's tins S2s.52 fort
R.-Whatever you please
els IL not for usury1
B.-What do you call usuryl
G.-What do you call usuryI
B.-Nothng.
G.-Whats this sum fort
b. You may call IL commission If you like.
Gut don't like.
B.-Then call il compensation if youchoose.
G.-Bat don't choose
B.-Thea call il any thing or nothing just as you
please-Fm not particular.
Mr. Griffin then tried many ways 10 make Mr..
Buck testify that there had been usuous interest," re-
ceived Of Robertson for monies advanced, and al
though Mr. b. stated that two and half per cent per
month had been charged in one instance yet his ex-
PLANTATION so completely mystfied the whole transac-
ton that neither Judge jury, nor lurlsts could take
cognizance Of il. Here Is literal specimen OF Mr..
Bucks accounting for the appearance Of the mex-
planable item.
G.-I don't understand your explanation.
Buck.-Thats not my fault.
G-What became Of that sum.
Bit was deducted of much money IN my
hands, and placed TO the proper account.
G.-Explain that II you please, Mr.. Back.
B.-why II goes 10 another note and amounts 10
the same thing
Juror.-Mr Buck, what was the best Of papers
selling for at that time.
Buck.-The best paper is a very Indefnate term
The best of paperls made by the best OF mcn-i may
not be known in the market Whilst second or third
rate paper-lke second third rate awycrs-is seen
in the market the most, and beng best known sells
best
Juror-But what did you make merchants pay for
money AT that time.
Buck.-why think about II per cent-snd perhsps
II man was driven very hard for money = and
obliged TO ssll--we might have made him pay per
cent.
A great many attempts werc then made to get
Buck 10 disclose what actual agree was made as
10 The rate Of interest But il only showed the foy
OF lawyer trying to shave broker.
The pnncipsl fact We have 10 do the results the